Work-related road safety is a source of concern throughout Europe, requiring renewed commitment from all actors involved. The PRAISE project aims to increase road safety in the work context and to “praise” good practices in order to help employers secure high road safety standards for their employees. The seminar brought together international and national experts who presented measures and good practice examples to improve work related road safety in the UK.  

With 31 road deaths per million inhabitants the overall number of deaths on UK roads is considerably lower than the EU average. The number of people killed in road collisions in Great Britain fell by 17% from 2,337 in 2009 to 1,943 in 2010. Speakers addressed how they manage work related road risk and also how UK employers export their good practice in the field of fleet safety.

The UK is admired by many as an innovative leader in the special field of work related road safety. The Seminar also looked at potential next steps at a UK national level, for fleet safety and how to raise the bar in the context of the new strategic framework for road safety. 

Rob Gifford of PACTS, said: ‘It is up to all parties with an interest in improving road safety to tackle work-related road risk. A stronger regulatory focus on work-related road safety could help reduce risk. Employers, and employees, also have a responsibility to do more and should include road safety risk education  as part of their health and safety management system.’

Adrian Walsh of Road Safe’s Driving for Better Business Campaign, concluded: ‘one in three crashes involves a driver who is at work. The conference brought together many business champions – those who take a message to businesses that managing this high risk area makes good business sense.’