The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) has announced the 2017 winners of the PRAISE awards, in recognition of efforts taken by companies to improve road safety at work.

European Transport Safety Council announces 2017 work-related road safety award winners

The large company award goes to National Vehicle Distribution (NVD), Ireland. The small and medium-sized enterprise award goes to ATF, Belgium. Jacobs, one of the world’s largest construction services firms, has been highly commended by the award judges.

The ETSC said that over 25,600 lives were lost on European roads in 2016 and although the exact number is unknown, in some countries it is likely that up to 40% of all road deaths are work-related.

Large company award
National Vehicle Distribution (NVD), Ireland
Judges said: “They have a huge focus on driver selection, training and ongoing management as well as strong evidence of daily interventions of a deterrent and enforcement nature with drivers to influence behaviour. A proactive company with a focus on safety, they learn from past incidents and find solutions to avoid them in the future.”

Small and medium-sized enterprise award
ATF, Belgium
Judges said: “Their employees are actively involved in road safety plans and procedures and management have clear and good communication with the drivers.”

Highly commended
Jacobs, UK and Ireland
Judges said: “In particular, their innovative ‘Permit to Drive’ cards ensure that individual drivers are getting the risk assessment and training that they require.”