Brake, the road safety charity, is running a free online session for professionals with responsibility for at-work drivers, on the topic of eliminating driver distractions.
The webinar takes place on Tuesday 1 May, 2pm-3.30pm NZDT, as part of the run up to Road Safety Week in NZ (7-13 May).
Driving is unpredictable and requires 100% of a driver’s attention at all times. This webinar will particularly focus on communication technology as a distraction, and will explore how employers can tackle driver distraction within their fleets.
If you talk on the phone while driving – hands-free or hand-held – your risk of causing an injury or death is four times higher than without the distraction [1]. Use a phone to text, email or browse the internet and the risk is much higher still.
The webinar is open to health & safety staff, fleet managers, senior management staff, and anyone else with responsibility for at-work drivers at their organisation. Academic and practitioner speakers will discuss:
· why distraction is an important road safety issue, and why drivers get distracted
· the addictiveness and distractions of different technologies
· policies to help mitigate driver distraction
· measures to help employers identify drivers who may be distracted at the wheel
· measures to raise awareness of distraction through education and communication programmes
Speakers include Adrian Stephenson from the NZ Transport Agency and Fauzia Ali from fleet operator Tyco.
Attendance is free. To register, book online, or email info@brake.org.nz. Find out more about the event at: http://www.brakepro.org/init/388-eliminating-driver-distraction-webinar.
Caroline Perry, Brake’s NZ director, said: “Distractions is an essential road safety topic and one that all fleet managers and drivers should be aware of. In our increasingly connected world, distractions while at the wheel are becoming more prevalent. Distracted driving is a factor in a number of crashes, yet many organisations don’t have policies and procedures in place to manage them, or don’t know how to address this risk with drivers. This webinar will provide information and advice on tackling the subject of driver distraction, and is suitable for organisations operating fleets of any size and type.”
This webinar is being held in the run-up to Road Safety Week NZ 2018, which has the theme Belt on, Phone off – Make it a habit. Organisations are encouraged to take part in the week and access free resources to help them share road safety messages. Further information on the week can be found at www.roadsafetyweek.org.nz.
Organisations can also access more events and fleet safety resources by becoming a member of Brake Professional, Brake’s not-for-profit membership service, sharing good practice in addressing road risk. Members receive regular resources such as guidance reports, access to the members’ area of www.brakepro.org, free or discounted attendance at Brake’s events, and the latest road safety research. Find out more and join at www.brakepro.org.
