Road Safety Week UK 21st November – 27th November 2011

Road Safety Week is an established week in the UK calendar. It was set up by Brake in 1997 and organised by the charity annually ever since. It takes place in November each year and aims to give everyone an opportunity to promote road safety in their community, school or company.  This year's theme, “Too young to die”, highlights the amount of young people killed or seriously injured in road traffic collisions every year.  Brake will also be putting the

message across that these life changing events are preventable, and are often caused by drivers not adhering to the speed limits or using a mobile phone while driving, drink driving or driving after taking drugs or while they are tired.

With the dark nights and winter weather road safety is paramount this time of year, it is important that all road users re-assess their journeys and account for the darker evenings and their behaviour behind the wheel.

As HR and Health & Safety Professionals Prestige support this week bringing it to the attention of businesses within Northern Ireland.  Safety does not only have to be considered at home but in our workplace as well.  

Safety is often the area that is reviewed the least in most office environments, industries such as Construction, Production, Manufacturing, Logistics and Food cannot operate without adhering to strict Health & Safety rules, however offices do not always realise they have to be as safety aware.

Businesses with Company Vehicles need to ensure they are aware of the Health & Safety legislation that surrounds the provision of company cars.  With Road Safety Week, we would encourage all employers to check their policy when providing vehicles to their employees and also their policy when asking employees to use their own vehicle.  Businesses need to ensure their employees are aware of the organisations standards and expectations when using a company or private vehicle on company business i.e.

•    Abide by all Highway code regulations
•    Regular Vehicle checks
•    Mobile phones
•    Drink/Drug driving
•    Eye sight checks
•    Accidents
•    Driving licences

Prestige offer support to business in this area, should they need any polices or training to ensure HSENI compliance.