REVIEW OF BEST PRACTICE ROAD SAFETY INITIATIVES IN THE CORPORATE AND/OR BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

This project investigated the potential to introduce road safety based initiatives in the corporate environment. The report includes: (1) a literature review; (2) a review of European research and programs; (3) interviews with government and corporate representatives; and (4) a review of the occupational health and safety legal perspective. From the literature review it was concluded that the fleet safety initiatives which have potential to be effective are: (1) selecting safer vehicles; (2) some particular driver training and education programs; (3) incentives (not rewards); and (4) company safety programs in companies with an overall safety emphasis. European research and programs vary widely from the incorporation of fleet safety into quality assurance of transport in Sweden to the use of driver training and driver discussion groups in other jurisdictions. In Europe, as in Australia and other parts of the world, evaluation of the effectiveness of fleet safety initiatives is rarely undertaken. The current OHS legislation in Victoria allows considerable opportunity for promotion of best practice injury prevention measures. However, the lack of regulations specifically targeting vehicle and driver safety in the occupational setting means that enforcement is only relevant to a small range of fleet safety problems. (a)