Raising the awareness of the high number of work-related fatalities, crashes and injuries in New Zealand, Dr Murray is encouraging organisations to focus more attention on managing the safety and sustainability of fleet vehicles and their drivers, with an overall view to reduce crash risk and increase safety and profitability.

ACC Workplace Safety Programme Manager Debbie Stearns says providing employees with the necessary tools and training to prevent an accident creates a safer work environment and is best practice.

"Driving is a high risk work-related activity so educating employees on better driving technique and creating defensive drivers has great benefits. Not only are there financial costs for an organisation and the employee involved in a crash, there are the hidden costs, and emotional and psychological issues," says Ms Stearns.

Government agencies including Land Transport NZ, Ministry of Transport, Department of Labour and the New Zealand Police, are playing a major role in raising awareness of a crash-free culture. Minister for Transport Safety Harry Duynhoven will be opening the Wellington workshop on 13 March.

Creating a crash-free culture within an organisation reduces the risk of negative publicity, reduces the high costs associated with a crash including vehicle insurance, vehicle repair bills and recruiting for replacement staff.

Managing Director of TERNZ (Transport Engineering Research NZ), Peter Baas will also present at the workshops about "wellness to drive". A well known research engineer, Mr Baas will cover a wide range of issues that can impact the effectiveness of a driver.

Sponsors Tranzqual ITO (which sets industry training standards) and Shell New Zealand Ltd realise the importance of investing in employees and are proud to be assisting in the raising of the awareness of creating a crash-free culture.

Tranzqual ITO CEO, Wayne Smith says the workshops are intrinsically linked to the qualifications Tranzqual offers and to the driver training standards in New Zealand.

"These workshops demonstrate just how an organisation, through investing in its employees can influence driving behaviour both at work and in their personal lives," says Mr Smith.

Shell New Zealand Corporate Communications Manager Jackie Maitland sees the workshop as an opportunity to share expertise.

"Shell has a strong interest in occupational safety and is continually seeking ways to improve. Shell is proud of the standard that its transport operators have achieved. It is fantastic to be involved with these workshops," says Ms Maitland.

International research illustrates positive improvements in reducing work-related crashes through developing the organisation culture. The benefits also extend to environmental sustainability and fuel economy.

For more information contact

Peter Sheppard
Convenor
Board of Trustee Member
AA Driver Education Foundation
T. +64 4 439 9302
M. +64 21 222 6964
E. P.Sheppard@transport.govt.nz

or

Debbie Stearns
Workplace Safety Programme Manager
ACC
T. +64 9 915 1749
M. +64 27 294 0373
E. Debra.stearns@acc.co.nz

The New Zealand Automobile Association is an incorporated society with over one million members. It represents the interests of road users who collectively pay over $2 billion in taxes each year through fuels excise, road user charges and GST.