Franchisor Recognition Express is collaborating with national road safety charity Brake for the seventh consecutive year to run a competition aligned with Road Safety Week (23 – 29 November).

The UK’s leading supplier of promotional products and corporate merchandise is inviting primary schools to design banners conveying the core 2014 Road Safety Week theme: Drive less – live more.

The campaign encourages people to consider alternatives to motorised transport and understand the benefits driving less can bring to road safety, health, personal finances, communities and the planet.

Five people die every day on UK roads and around 60 are seriously injured – figures that fell dramatically in recent decades, but then increased by 4% in the most recent 12 months.

It is estimated in the region of 12,000 premature deaths in the UK each year are attributable to traffic pollution, and that motor transport is a major contributor to global warming and the threat it poses to humanity.

There will be 12 regional winners, each of whom will be presented with a large-scale printed banner featuring their design for display outside their school. In addition, winning schools will receive a high-visibility drawstring bag for every pupil and the child behind the design will be given a special award.

Each participating school will get free annual membership to Brake. This includes a Road Safety Week e-action pack with downloadable posters and tips on activities that schools can run, as well as on-going news bulletins on other Brake initiatives and campaigns.

Recognition Express first joined forces with Brake in 2009 to engage children and raise awareness of road safety issues. The annual banner competition has become very popular and the charity will be emailing details to schools in early September. Information is also available at www.recognition-express.com/roadsafetyweek. The closing date for entries is Friday 9 October.

Says Nigel Toplis, managing director, Recognition Express: “The road safety competition has become an important part of our calendar – the whole business gets behind it. This year’s theme is relevant to everybody, and I know as a business we have been looking at ways to encourage people to consider the implications that having a sedentary lifestyle and relying too much on motorised transport can have on so many different aspects of life.

“I am sure pupils will have a lot of fun designing banners to communicate this very important message and we look forward to seeing the entries. Brake does an excellent job of keeping road safety on the political agenda and we fully support the campaign which drives home the message that the safest mile is the mile not driven.”

Joe Burns, corporate fundraiser at Brake says: “Road Safety Week is a community event, so we are always thrilled when businesses take part and we value our long term relationship with Recognition Express.

“Their banner design competition has become a regular and important element of our annual campaign offering a fun way for schools to get involved and share important road safety messages with their pupils and the wider community. We encourage schools across the country to take part and use the opportunity to plan lessons and activities surrounding Road Safety Week.”

There are lots of opportunities for companies and individuals to get involved in Road Safety Week. Visit www.roadsafetyweek.org for ideas and to order a free Road Safety Week pack. There’s something for everyone whether you are a mum, dad, teacher, represent a company or simply interested in road safety.