The RoadWise Program’s Fleet Safety Resource Kit is now available and Regional Road Safety Officers are working closely with Local Governments to assist them in developing and adopting fleet safety policies.

Workplace related road crashes are the most common cause of death, injury and absence from work in Australia.

The facts:

• Between 1999/2000 and 2003/04 there was an average of 11 fatalities and 489 lost time claims due to work-related crashes each year in Western Australia, making up 45% of all work related fatalities.
• Collectively, WA Local Government fleets are substantial with 14,576 vehicles worth $459,386,181 in 138 Councils in 2005.
• WA Local Government fleets made $11,614,310 worth of claims between 2000 and 2005 at an average cost of $2008 per claim and a total average cost of $13,623 per Council per year.

Adopting fleet safety policies

Adopting fleet safety polices can not only result in lowered costs (vehicle damage, insurance and productivity) but also provides a safer work environment for employees.

Local Governments can contact their Regional Road Safety Officer to discuss fleet safety and receive a Fleet Safety Resource Kit which is based on ‘best practice’ and contains model policies. Alternatively, electronic versions of the Fleet Safety Kit can be downloaded below:

Fleet Safety Resource Kit - Web Version

Report on Local Government Fleets

ESP Vehicles in Australia

Sample Policy for Small Fleets

Armadale Fleet Safety System

Car Safety Features Matrix

Sample Incident Report

Best Practice Guidelines Table

Model Policy Template

A number of Local Governments already have fleet safety policies or are considering whether to adopt the fleet safety recommendations included in the kit.

For further information, contact your Regional Road Safety Officer.