The fourth United Nations Road Safety week will run globally 8th-14th May. This year the endeavour hopes to address the serious effects of speeding and what can be done to lower risk factors and reduce incidences of road traffic injuries and death. Nations who have developed and implemented proven road safety strategies have been successful in:
- Road planning to include features that disallow speeding, such as speed humps and traffic lights.
- Setting appropriate speed limits for given road conditions.
- Enforcing speed limits by imposing penalties for offenders.
- Installing technologies in vehicles.
- Managing campaigns to raise awareness of the consequences of speeding.
State Safety Efforts
The Road Safety Commission determined almost a quarter of Western Australian road fatalities in 2015 were as a result of speeding. In an effort to reduce this statistic and as part of their Towards Zero strategy, the State Government secured an average speed camera test on Forrest Highway in our South West. By recording data of cars when both entering and exiting the Safety Camera Zone, an average speed of the vehicle is determined. The likelihood of penalties for speeding hoped to motivate drivers to maintain safe and legal speeds. Having concluded on 30th April, the tests early results have displayed positive signs in deterring speeding drivers. Since its inception, the Towards Zero campaign has seen a 22% drop in WA’s fatality rate since 2008.
What Centrewest is doing
Our Risk Manager Steve Post specialises in commercial road transport and earthmoving safety improvement strategies. By providing thorough risk assessments for our Centrewest trucking and earthmoving clients, he develops improvement plans and monitors their success by examining safety performance. This process of risk management directly impacts on underwriter premiums and ensures best practice safety operations and a better deals for our clients. In addressing speed as a risk factor in commercial transport, Steve recommends the trucking industry utilise telematics data collection. This technology enables companies to monitor and analyse speed, identify high-risk drivers, unsafe behaviour and use the information to advise on safer driving procedures. This safeguards in line with compliance standards and gives credence to the safety of our commercial road traffic.
Small Changes to Save Lives
With increasing traffic on WA roads every year and a struggle to build infrastructure to accommodate it, there is more pressure on motorists than ever. But getting on board to decrease speed doesn’t need to be a lot of effort. With a few simple changes, you can aid this important cause by:
- Using cruise control when possible.
- Ensuring adequate rest prior to leaving on a long journey.
- Leaving with plenty of time to spare.
- Driving to conditions – if fog or heavy rain is present, speed should be reduced.
- Taking regular rest breaks.
- Listening to audio books.
- Avoiding alcohol prior or during your trip and wearing seat belts.
- Recognising your personal body signs when fatigue is setting in.
- Choosing a less powerful car to save on cost and risk.
It’s important for all motorists to enjoy the ride. The path to zero fatalities on WA roads is clear and the responsibility falls on all road users.
If you’re in the trucking industry and want a tailored risk assessment and safety improvement plan, contact Steve Post on 0412 771 038 or 08 9349 7900 for an obligation free chat about your safety and insurance needs.