Corporates key to reducing Australia’s road toll, says NTC

Australia’s prospects of further cutting the number of deaths and injuries on the national road network would be greatly enhanced by businesses taking action on road safety within and beyond their workplaces, says the National Transport Commission (NTC).

The NTC has released 'A corporate approach to road safety' discussion paper which explores how the existing corporate commitment to workplace safety can contribute to achieving Australia’s National Road Safety Strategy targets.With governments committing to reduce death and serious injury on Australia’s roads by at least 30% over the next decade, it’s time to consider the role of the corporate sector in road safety, said NTC Chief Executive Nick Dimopoulos.

“We know of a number of businesses within Australia and internationally which have introduced road safety initiatives which are good for business and good for the community. 

"The returns for these businesses are often realised in ways not considered before including customer loyalty, a more skilled workforce, overall reduction in corporate risk, and enhanced brand recognition. We’re keen to work collaboratively with the corporate sector to develop a national program that supports and encourages corporates to exert their influence over the way that the road network is used to make life safer for all Australian road users.

“We do not prescribe to a single, one-size-fits-all approach to engaging corporates, nor to shifting obligations that rightly belong with government onto the private sector. Businesses can identify and act on things entirely within their control that don’t require governments to act first and don’t require regulatory change, but will improve road safety. This discussion paper opens the conversation with corporate Australia about the best way to harness their influence to implement positive, sustainable actions on road safety,” said Mr Dimopoulos.

The paper features corporate case studies and existing road safety initiatives that are leading the way in creating shared responsibility for road safety. Its release is timely, given that a Draft International Standard on Road Safety Management, ISO39001, has recently been released for public consultation. This Draft Standard will help Australian companies identify ways they can make our roads safer.

NTC is calling on industry bodies, individual companies and other interested parties to contribute to government thinking about the way forward by making a submission on the discussion paper.

The discussion paper, as well as details of how to make a submission are available on the NTC website: www.ntc.gov.au. A series of public information forums on the discussion paper will be held. To register your interest to attend, email enquiries@ntc.gov.au or call (03) 9600 5000. Consultation closes on 30 September 2011.