Kiwi road safety award winners

KIWI COMPANIES AND INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN recognised for their work in improving safety for working drivers and vehicles in the sixth annual Australasian Fleet Champions Awards.

The awards, run by international road safety charity Brake and sponsored by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, recognise companies and individuals who have implemented successful initiatives, products or services to tackle fleet safety.

The prestigious Waka Kotahi NZTA Outstanding Commitment to Road Safety Award was won by road surfacing and pavement expert Dr Bryan Pidwerbesky, from Fulton Hogan.

And the Suzuki Road Risk Manager of the Year Award went to Colin Blakemore from the NZ Defence Force.

TIL Logistics won the SurePlan Company Driver Safety Award, online driver training provider Fleetcoach won the Fleet Safety Product Award and Fulton Hogan took the Bridgestone Safe Vehicles Award.

Caroline Perry, Brake’s NZ director, says the awards celebrate “the achievements of companies and individuals who are striving to make a real difference in the world of fleet safety.

“It is always great to see the work that organisations are putting in to help ensure their staff and other road users get home safe every day, and this year that has included measures organisations have put in place in response to COVID-19.”

Perry says she hopes the awards will inspire other companies “to implement measures to address risk, and to gain recognition for their work too.”

NZTA safety, health and environment GM Greg Lazzaro says: “Many NZers spend a significant amount of time driving for work and tragically, road crashes are a leading cause of work-related deaths, both here and overseas.

“So we applaud these companies for the important work they are doing to reduce incidents and improve their fleet safety.”

T&D