‘The publication of the new ISO 39001:2012 standard is a welcomed and much-needed development.

‘We are happy to see that employers in SMEs, large-sized companies and public authorities now have a clear set of guidelines to help them improve road safety management,’ added Antonio Avenoso, ETSC1 Executive Director.

‘Adoption of the new standard provides employers not only with a quality label, but it also shows they are responsible actors in their community as a whole on reducing road risk,’ Mr. Avenoso added.

The ISO 39001:2012 standard requirements enable organisations that interact with road traffic to implement a management system that allows them to reduce the number of road deaths and serious injuries in collisions, which they can influence. The standard can be adopted by a public authority or company and can also be used to cover transport services contracted in the supply chain. Any player with an influence on road safety should be able to use the standard as guidance in its efforts of contributing to safe road traffic.

‘ETSC’s driving for work PRAISE project2 advocated that investing in work-related road safety provides a sound business case. Moreover, occupational health and safety, of which road safety is an inseparable component, has to cover more than just the core business of a company. The new ISO standard on road traffic safety management is a great tool for even more employers, whether public or private, to take up the challenge,’ said Ellen Townsend, ETSC Policy director.

One opportunity is for road safety considerations to be included as key criteria in public and private procurement tenders and contracts. By integrating this requirement other benefits, such as saving time and becoming more efficient, can be reaped. Large employers either public or private can influence policies in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) when they subcontract out work further along the supply chain by insisting that subcontractors adopt the same conditions and standards in relation to driving for work.

ETSC also strongly encourages the EU and governments to support the new Standard. They should set an example by adopting it themselves to increase the safety of their own employees. They should also encourage private sector employers through incentives toadopt the new Standard.