Safety award for RoSPA’s work with fleets

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has won the 2008 Fleet World Honours Safety Award in recognition of its work in promoting the management of occupational road risk.

Ken Rogers, Editor of Fleet World, said: “RoSPA has made a valuable contribution to fleet safety over the years, putting across a message about the positive benefits of safer driving, while not being shy of the grim statistics concerning deaths among fleet drivers, and the grisly outcomes from the incidents in which they are involved.”

The trophy was presented to Errol Taylor, the safety charity’s Deputy Chief Executive, at a special ceremony held at the Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall (May 13).

The Fleet World Honours are presented annually to those motor manufacturers, service companies and individuals who have, in the opinion of the judges, achieved the highest possible level of excellence in their sector.

George Emmerson, chairman of the judges, said: “As fleets continue to get to grips with ever increasing Duty of Care legislation, RoSPA is providing a huge amount of useful professional advice and guidance on the subject. RoSPA totally covers the issues of heath and safety at work and its guidance should be required reading for any company wishing to fully comply with the legislation as applying to the operation of company cars and their drivers.”

This year’s Fleet World Honours attracted a record number of entries, acknowledging the high level of service and innovation that exists within the fleet industry.

Errol Taylor said: "RoSPA is delighted to have received the Safety Award in the 2008 Fleet World Honours.

“This is a tremendous accolade, which helps to raise the profile of the work we do with fleets to improve road safety. As part of our ongoing fleet education programme, our new Driving for Work video helps drivers to recognise some of their own risky behaviours - which can then be addressed by RoSPA's tailored package of risk assessments, online learning and maybe some in-car training.

“Ultimately, we would hope that every driver would feel equipped to take that ultimate challenge: ROADTest, RoSPA’s Occupational Advanced Driving Test. The proven benefits to fleet managers are reduced accident rates and better fuel efficiency.”