This UK Road Safety Week (16^th of November – 22^nd of November), Northamptonshire-based manufacturer Forterra is raising awareness of early driver education after backing the CarKraft road safety event for a fourth time this year.

2025 marks Forterra’s fifth consecutive year helping with the event, which is hosted at the Porsche Centre in Silverstone.

Organised by Northamptonsire Highways, CarKraft gives young drivers first-hand experience in a safe and controlled environment of the potential hazards they will face when driving, instilling best safety practice before bad habits form. Forterra’s support has involved the use of its LGV lorries and drivers for tutorial sessions teaching young drivers the dangers of blind spots on larger vehicles.

UK Road Safety Week is an annual awareness campaign created by Brake, the road safety charity. With 1,602 deaths[1] due to road collisions in the UK in 2024, the charity aims to prevent potential tragedies before they happen.

With a drop in accidents involving young drivers by 64% since 2004, Forterra’s involvement highlights the importance of maintaining momentum in improving road safety awareness. Indeed, there is still more work to do, with 22% of fatalities from collisions involving at least one younger car driver in 2024.

CarKraft sessions are mainly attended by 17–30-year-olds, but drivers of all ages are also welcome. At the October event, Forterra’s LGV was used in practical demonstrations throughout the day to demonstrate the dangers of blind spots and the importance of maintaining safe distances around large vehicles. Attendees were guided by Forterra’s team, including LGV mechanic Martin Birkenhead and driver Linden Richards.

Keith Millard from Northamptonshire Highways commented, “We’re very proud to organise these events to help teach the importance of safe driving to young people, and we are thankful for the continued support over the last four years from Forterra. Our goal is to make Northamptonshire roads safer for everyone, and Forterra’s support plays an essential role in delivering these vital messages.”

Area Transport Manager at Forterra Rory Locker said: “We’re happy with our continued involvement with CarKraft for their events this year. Road safety is a shared responsibility, and with nearly 3,000 people killed or seriously injured because of road collisions, events like this and UK Road Safety Week are crucial to raise awareness of the dangers of driving, as young people build their experience before they gain full independence on the road. Engaging the attendees and making a difference is a rewarding experience”.

All drivers for Forterra are certified by the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS), to ensure that the safest, most efficient and sustainable practices are adhered to by the entire fleet.

For more information on Forterra, please visit www.forterra.co.uk.

For more information on CarKraft, please visit www.carkraft.info.