Awards highlight the companies driving down collisions at work

19 October 2016

The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) has announced the 2016 winners of the PRAISE awards, recognising organisations that have taken outstanding measures to improve the safety of their vehicle fleets.

The winners will be honoured at a conference and award ceremony to be held in Brussels this week. 

Using the road for business is the leading cause of work-related deaths and injuries. It is estimated that in Europe six out of ten work accidents resulting in death are road crashes, including both crashes while driving for work and commuting.
 
Data from the UK show that business travel makes up about 30% of all travel, rising to over 50% if commuting is included. UK Department for Transport travel survey data show that people who drive for work are up to 40% more likely than other drivers to be involved in a collision.   

Antonio Avenoso, Executive Director of ETSC said, “Today we are recognising companies and organisations that are taking responsibility for driving down road collisions. We hope their leadership will inspire companies large and small to step up and do their bit to prevent crashes. These crucial efforts mean fewer injuries and deaths, but also fewer insurance claims and reduced costs. Road safety is truly good for business.”      
 
The winners are:

Large company award - Johnson & Johnson.
One of the world’s leading healthcare companies, and a Driving for Better Business Champion, Johnson & Johnson operates in more than 60 countries employing approximately 126,500 people. The company operates a fleet of over 36,000 vehicles worldwide.
The PRAISE judges said, “Johnson & Johnson have shown an outstanding, long-term and responsive risk management framework that supports the ongoing improvement of the organisation’s work-related road risk profile globally.”
 
Small and medium-sized enterprise award - O’Donovan Waste Management, UK.
O’Donovan is one of London’s leading independent waste management companies employing over 140 staff.
The PRAISE judges said, “O’Donovan have demonstrated strong leadership from the top down and are acting as passionate champions for work-related road risk management. They are aiming not just to be an example of best practice, but to set the industry standard.”
 
Public authority award - La Défense – Defensie (The Belgian Military), Belgium.
The PRAISE judges said, “The Belgian military has demonstrated real commitment to work related road risk management for a very large and diverse government body, with an innovative and structured approach to behavioural change and risk reduction - with great results.”