Road Safety Week

17 November 2025

Drivers are being urged to keep on top of vehicle maintenance this Road Safety Week, as new data shows a fifth are delaying repairs.

The AA Charitable Trust, renowned for its award-winning road safety campaigns, has lent its voice to Brake’s Road Safety Week 2025, taking place from 16–22 November with the theme: “Safe Vehicles Save Lives.”

To coincide with this year’s campaign, the Trust is reminding drivers about the critical role that vehicle maintenance plays in reducing road casualties. A recent AA survey of 13,481 drivers revealed that more than a fifth¹ of respondents (22%) reasoned a lack of time for deferring essential repairs reported during an MOT or other inspection, while three in five (59%) cited cost as the main reason for shelving vital work.

Deferring maintenance work not only increases the risk of the failure of safety items like brakes and tyres but it can also cost more in the long run. For instance, if worn brake pads are replaced before they completely wear out, it can negate the need for new brake discs, reducing the overall cost by two-thirds².

The survey also showed that nearly half (46%) would postpone the replacement of worn tyres and suspension components – It shouldn’t come as a surprise to most that tyres, brakes, steering and suspension components are crucial to the stability and safe handling of any vehicle.

The AA Mobile Mechanics teams can help drivers to save time and money by cutting out costly and time consuming travel between home and garage; by carrying out vehicle inspections, servicing and maintenance at home or the office, meaning deferred safety items can be addressed sooner, making our roads safer for everyone as a result.

“This year’s theme, ‘Safe Vehicles Save Lives’, is a powerful reminder that road safety doesn’t just sit with the driver – it starts with the vehicle itself.”

The AA Charitable Trust continues to deliver its broader road safety messaging through its other campaigns:

• Seatbelt Safety – “Belt Up in the Back” – Its most recent campaign highlights that up to 43% of young car passenger fatalities occur without seatbelts. The Trust is urging young people to always wear seatbelts, especially in the rear seats, where non-compliance is highest.
• Rural Young Drivers – The AA Charitable Trust was awarded a grant from the Road Safety Trust towards completing a project raising awareness of the risks young drivers face on rural roads, with a specific focus on which roads pose the greatest risk.
• Think Bikes – More than a decade of promoting bike safety, the Trust continues to distribute Think Bikes mirror stickers to remind drivers to check for cyclists and motorcyclists. The campaign has won international awards and remains vital as two-wheel users account for over 25% of road deaths.

Edmund King, Director of The AA Charitable Trust, said: “Every year, thousands of lives are lost or changed forever due to road crashes. This year’s theme, ‘Safe Vehicles Save Lives’, is a powerful reminder that road safety doesn’t just sit with the driver – it starts with the vehicle itself.

“The AA Charitable Trust is committed to making our roads safer and we can do that by making sure drivers have the knowledge to keep their vehicles roadworthy and by acting promptly on the advice given by their mechanic.

“After regular household bills, for those who rely on their car, the safety of their vehicle, its occupants and other road users should be high on their list of priorities.”

Road Safety Week is organised by the road safety charity, Brake, and is the UK’s biggest annual road safety campaign, bringing together schools, communities, emergency services, and organisations to take action on road safety and prevent tragedies before they happen.

¹Yonder received 13,481 responses from AA members to its online poll between the 08th and18th September 2025. Yonder is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

²Repair estimates provided by AA Autocentre: Based on a 2020 Nissan Qashqai 1.3 DIG-T