Franchisor Recognition Express is collaborating with national road safety charity Brake for the fifth consecutive year to run a competition aligned with Road Safety Week (18-24 November).

The UK’s leading supplier of promotional products and corporate merchandise is inviting primary schools to design banners conveying the core 2013 Road Safety Week theme: Tune in to road safety. The campaign encourages road users to avoid distractions such as listening to music, using a phone or eating whether they are driving, walking, cycling, skating or running.

There will be 12 regional winners, each of whom will have a large-scale banner featuring their design printed for display outside their school. In addition, winning schools will receive 300 high-visibility drawstring bags and the pupil behind the design will receive a special award.

Each participating school will be given 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. The closing date for entries is Friday 18 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 about avoiding distractions on the road applies to children and adults alike. 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 to introduce 20mph speed limits around homes, schools and shops.”

Joe Burns, Corporate Fundraiser at Brake says: “Road Safety Week is a community event, so we are always thrilled when businesses take part. Recognition Express’ banner design competition offers 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.”