Private Trade Group Issues Report on Best Practices in Fleet Road Safety

A private trade group,Together for Safer Roads (TSR), a coalition of global private sector companies, has released the Advancing Road Safety Best Practices for Companies and Their Fleets report.

The report outlines practices that companies can use to keep employees, partners, and contractors safe on the world’s roads, as well as minimize costs. TSR member companies, who have implemented and analyzed the efficacy of these practices, established these guidelines to help others develop and manage successful transportation programs.

Here’s what’s at stake: Globally, between 25 and 33 percent of road crashes are work-related and 36 percent of occupational deaths are due to crashes.[i] While these are sobering and devastating human costs, there are also great financial costs. Worldwide, employers incur costs of USD $518 billion per year due to road traffic collisions.i

“The World Health Organization has identified road safety as a major global public health challenge,” said Carlos Brito, chairman of TSR and chief executive officer of AB InBev. “Whether it be driving a truck, car, motorcycle, or bicycle, safety is our priority. Our involvement in TSR is an extension of this commitment and an opportunity to share best practices with other global leaders.”

TSR believes that companies have a responsibility to consider the welfare of their employees, as well as the special road safety obligations that come with managing fleets and company drivers.

“Whether it is part of their service, how their goods get to market, or how their employees and communities move to and from work, road safety should be important to every company,” said Peter Hancock, vice chairman of TSR, and president and chief executive officer of AIG. “Through TSR, we’re able to come together, share our knowledge and expertise, and ultimately help make a sustainable difference in reducing the number of deaths and injuries worldwide.”

Don Slager, governing board member of TSR and chief executive officer of Republic Services, added, “Road safety starts at the top and engages every employee, contractor, and partner we have. It is our top priority to foster an environment that provides ongoing road safety education.”

The coalition is also honoring World Day for Safety and Health at Work by educating its employees, contractors, and partners on how to be safer road users. Member companies are participating in various activities, including town hall meetings, safety trainings, and community events, where participants can pledge to drive safe.

“As drivers and pedestrians on the world’s roads, there are simple steps we can take to be safer,” said Chris Penrose, governing board member of TSR and senior vice president – Internet of Things of AT&T. “Eliminating distractions while driving, including no texting or emailing, is one habitual action that can make a difference in saving lives. At AT&T, we are committed to educating the public on the risks of smartphone distracted driving through our It Can Wait campaign. It’s simple: keep your eyes on the road, not on your phone.”

Category: Featured, General Update