NZ employers urged to take part in Road Safety Week 2017

Road Safety Week New Zealand 2017 takes place 8-14 May and employers, especially those with staff who drive for work, are urged to take part to raise awareness of road safety issues.

The week, which is coordinated by road safety charity Brake and sponsored by QBE Insurance, will coincide with the fourth UN Global Road Safety Week and will be on the theme ‘speed’. Brake is encouraging organisations to 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 particularly focus on speed as a key factor in the severity of a crash and determining its outcome, and will call on drivers to slow down around schools and in communities. 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.

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.

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

Caroline Perry, Brake’s NZ Director said: “Employers have a key role in getting vital road safety messages out to drivers and families. 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.”