Speeding is one of the biggest causes of crashes on our Australian roads. The need for speed to get to our destination quicker is causing too many near misses, prangs, and at the worst, fatalities. The UN Road Safety Week 2017, spanning 8-14th of May 2017, is encouraging all road users to #slowdown and we couldn’t agree more.

Speed is central of our road traffic injury problems. Just take a look at some of the stats from the Australian Government and UN Road Safety Week:

• The risk of being in a serious car accident nearly doubles every 5km/h you drive over 60km/h.
• Car accidents are costing Aussie’s $27 billion per year.
• 1,000 people die from road related accidents and over a third of these accidents were due to speeding.
• Chance of a pedestrian surviving a car crash = 90% if the driver is travelling under 30km/hr, 50% if the driver is travelling 45km/hr, and 1% if the driver is travelling 80km/hr or over.

We, or someone we know, may have thrown out the “it’ll get me there quicker” argument at some point, but does driving over the speed limit get you to your destination quicker? According to the Victorian Government, it makes very little difference. Research showed that travelling at 65km/hr in a 60km zone only saves 46 seconds over a 10km stretch if drive-time if not affected by other cars and traffic.

We here at Bulk Fuel Australia encourage all businesses who have drivers out on the roads to prioritise their staff safety. Here are a few ways we ensure our teams safety is paramount:

• Vehicles must adhere to prescribed limits. To do so otherwise is an Unsafe Act causing an Unsafe Condition to others
• Regular maintenance and safety checks on all equipment, trucks, and machinery. This will help ensure the longevity of your vehicle on the road and reduce technical-related crashes. We have a strict policy on these kinds of checks and even work towards cleaner air with our Final Filtered Diesel^®, which reduces emissions, improve reliability of the vehicle, and extends engine life
• Load limits must be observed on all vehicles, including for lift, trucks, and pallets. To overload any item is dangerous in general, but also increases risk of unsafety on the roads if the vehicle is speeding.
• Regular staff training on the importance of health and safety, particularly when travelling to and from sites.
• Focus on instilling road safety philosophy in new hires and long time staff members.
• Ensure vehicles have innovative technology to make them safer. This includes electronic stability control, safety restraints, and dash cams.
• Support safety standards

Reducing your speed when travelling from place to place is the first step in making our roads safer, but did you know there’s a number of other ways you can make a difference?

• Put down the phone. You don’t need research to tell you that driving while talking on the phone is distracting. A recent Queensland study reported that 25% of drivers still use their hand-held mobile while driving on a regular basis. Time spent on the phone means less time focused on your speed and reaction time. The call can wait.
• Advocate for action: You can speak to the business leaders in your community (or your boss) to advocate for improved road safety by discussing their concerns with government officials.
• Are you a company with a lot of road-related data? Share it with your community and government officials to support road improvements and upgrades.
• Opt for vehicles with safety technology including intelligent speed assistance and autonomous emergency braking

We can all work together to make our roads safer. At Bulk Fuel Australia, we’ve created a company built on safety first, excellent service and affordable, high quality fuel solutions for your business needs. To get a quote on getting Final Filtered Diesel^® delivered to your job-site, no matter the size, get in contact with us today on 1300 579 990.

See more on the Fourth United Nations Global Road Safety Week 8-14 May 2017 website.