Employers urged to #SpeakUp for road safety and take part in Road Safety Week 2019

Road Safety Week 2019 takes place 6-12 May and employers, especially those with staff who drive for work, are urged to register to take part and raise awareness of road safety issues.

The week, which is coordinated by road safety charity Brake and supported by QBE Insurance and the NZ Transport Agency, will coincide with the UN Global Road Safety Week and will focus on leadership, with the theme Save Lives #SpeakUp. Organisations can go to www.roadsafetyweek.org.nz for ideas on using the event to promote life-saving messages to staff and the wider community, and to register for a free action pack.

Brake will be calling on organisations to demonstrate leadership in road safety by making it a key part of their health & safety activities, and implementing measures to help keep their staff safe on the road. The charity is encouraging employers to run road safety activities and campaigns to promote a safe driving culture among employees, or to launch initiatives aimed at reducing crashes or promoting sustainable travel. Employees are also encouraged to #SpeakUp and highlight what road safety issues affect their work and lives.

The week is also a great time for employers to work with the local community and engage customers and contacts in road safety, such as by working with local schools and colleges, or displaying road safety banners. View more ideas for getting involved.

Employers can access free electronic resources and guidance. Go to www.roadsafetyweek.org.nz/action-pack to register for a free e-action pack with downloadable posters, online resources, activity ideas and advice on taking part.

Brake is also urging organisations with staff who drive for work to make use of guidance from the Global Fleet Champions campaign in the run up to the Week to develop year-round fleet safety practices. Becoming a member is FREE, and gives you access to a range of fleet safety resources, events and news. Visit www.globalfleetchampions.org to sign up.

Companies can also engage employee support for the cause by running an office fundraiser, such as holding a Bright Day, when everyone comes to work dressed brightly to draw attention to the vulnerability of pedestrians and cyclists, helping raise funds in aid of Brake’s support services for road crash victims. Go to www.brake.org.nz/fundraise for more.

Caroline Perry, Brake's NZ Director said: "Employers are well-placed to show leadership in road safety. At-work drivers are so often involved in fatal and injury crashes, which cause terrible and preventable suffering, and they cost businesses dearly. However, we know from our experience of working with employers that developing robust policies alongside a safe driving culture can make a huge difference to the safety of at-work drivers, and organisations' bottom line. Road Safety Week is the ideal time for organisations to get serious about at-work driver safety, or step up existing work and link it to a national campaign."