The ‘Guide to Safe Work Related Driving’ has been approved by Victoria’s principal players in the fight against the State’s road toll.
Victoria’s Political, Police and Government instrumentalities have given the ‘Guide to Safe Work Related Diving’ a ringing endorsement.
The ‘Guide to Safe Work Related Driving’ advises employers and employees that company cars and commercial vehicles are work places and as such they fall under health and safety regulations.
Addressing Safety Day at Freight Week 2009, Minister for Roads and Ports, Tim Pallas said that “the Victorian Government sees the ‘Guide’ as an important addition to the community’s armoury in hammering home the road and vehicle safety message”.
Victoria Police, Deputy Commissioner, Ken Lay told the 250 strong audience that work related road accidents stem from the same factors as road traffic accidents right across the board, namely speed, alcohol and fatigue.
“303 people died on Victoria’s roads last year and we suspect 100 of them were work related. If we can make an impact on that 100, our overall road toll will change quite significantly,” Deputy Commissioner Lay said.
The ‘Guide to Safe Work Related Driving’ has been produced by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) and WorkSafe, Victoria.
“We firmly believe that, with widespread adoption of the ‘Guide’ and its recommendations within fleet settings, we will see our roads becoming appreciably safer for all,” David Healy, Senior Manager, Road Safety, TAC.
“The ‘Guide’ emphasizes the need for employers and fleet managers to purchase cars with a 4.5 or 5 star safety rating and to not penny pinch on the safety of their workers and their families,” Ross Pilkington, Director WorkSafe, Manufacturing Logistics and Agriculture Program.
“VACC encourages all motorists to take Vehicle Safety seriously. Our data shows 28 percent of vehicles on our roads are unsafe. With the nation’s fleet on hoists week in and week out, we, the Automotive Industry, know the risks some people take with their well-being and the well-being of other road users,” VACC Executive Director, David Purchase, said.
The ‘Guide to Safe Work Related Driving’ is free and available through the following websites: