For immediate use
October 20 2009
Endorsed: ‘Guide to Safe Work Related Driving’
The ‘Guide to Safe Work Related Driving’ has been approved by Victoria’s principal players
in the fight against the State’s road toll.
Victoria’s Political, Police and Government instrumentalities have given the ‘Guide to Safe
Work Related Diving’ a ringing endorsement.
The ‘Guide to Safe Work Related Driving’ advises employers and employees that company
cars and commercial vehicles are work places and as such they fall under health and safety
regulations.
Addressing Safety Day at Freight Week 2009, Minister for Roads and Ports, Tim Pallas said
that “the Victorian Government sees the ‘Guide’ as an important addition to the community’s
armoury in hammering home the road and vehicle safety message”.
Victoria Police, Deputy Commissioner, Ken Lay told the 250 strong audience that work
related road accidents stem from the same factors as road traffic accidents right across the
board, namely speed, alcohol and fatigue.
“303 people died on Victoria’s roads last year and we suspect 100 of them were work
related. If we can make an impact on that 100, our overall road toll will change quite
significantly,” Deputy Commissioner Lay said.
The ‘Guide to Safe Work Related Driving’ has been produced by the Transport Accident
Commission (TAC) and WorkSafe, Victoria.
“We firmly believe that, with widespread adoption of the ‘Guide’ and its recommendations
within fleet settings, we will see our roads becoming appreciably safer for all,” David Healy,
Senior Manager, Road Safety, TAC.
“The ‘Guide’ emphasizes the need for employers and fleet managers to purchase cars with a
4.5 or 5 star safety rating and to not penny pinch on the safety of their workers and their
families,” Ross Pilkington, Director WorkSafe, Manufacturing Logistics and Agriculture
Program.
“VACC encourages all motorists to take Vehicle Safety seriously. Our data shows 28 percent
of vehicles on our roads are unsafe. With the nation’s fleet on hoists week in and week out,
we, the Automotive Industry, know the risks some people take with their well-being and the
well-being of other road users,” VACC Executive Director, David Purchase, said.
The ‘Guide to Safe Work Related Driving’ is free and available through the following
websites:
Ends.
NEWS 
