Safer work driving

What is safer work driving

Most people at some stage of their working life will inevitably drive for work purposes. This can include:

Driving a company car every day, such as sales representatives.
Using a work vehicle for a short trip during the day, such as home visits by hospital staff.
Driving a van or light truck, such as a plumber or delivery driver.
Senior executives provided with salary sacrificed vehicles

The RTA has identified work related driving as a key area in which the road toll can be substantially reduced. Under the RTA’s Road Safety 2010 strategy, promoting safer work driving practices will help reduce the road toll, and provide benefits to organisations in regards to occupational health and safety and reducing costs for industry.

Did you know

Work related road crashes account for 30 per cent of all fatalities.

Road crashes make up the most common types of work related deaths in Australia and also the largest cause of injury and absence from work.

Research shows that 27 per cent of work vehicles are involved in crashes each year, of which, each incident costs organisations almost $2000. Total costs allowing for indirect costs such as injuries and replacement vehicles can be much higher.

Between 50 and 60 per cent of all new vehicles are sold to companies and other organisations.

Two out of 3 vehicles on the road are making a work related trip. This can greatly increase exposure to risks on the road.

As well as the psychological effects from workplace road trauma it can also result in lost revenue, lower productivity, increased worker compensation claims and higher insurance premiums.

RTA initiatives

Providing the RTA’s own Safe Driving Policy as a sample safe driving policy.
Providing a wide range of education resources for the workplace (fatigue, speed, alcohol and drugs, seatbelts).
Implementing work road safety initiatives in all RTA regions.
Working with other states and territories to exchange information on best practice.
Providing consumer information on the safety of new and used cars.

Try some questions about driver knowledge and discuss the answers with driving colleagues: Driver knowledge test

Need more information

Browse these pages, phone 02 9218 6896 or email safer_work_driving@rta.nsw.gov.au

Files

Safe driving policy

The RTA has developed a policy for its employees who need to drive at work. This policy developed in 2002 outlines responsibilities of management and of employees in using RTA vehicles. This also includes identifying risk factors such as fatigue.

Safer work driving checklist

Use our matrix to make a quick check on the status of your organisation's driving safety system.