Going 'Back to Basics' for Rail Industry Road Safety Week

Road driving is vital to keeping the rail industry on track. It enables our colleagues to move to and from the railway. And of course, it allows maintenance staff to get to possessions or faults.

Many view road driving as ‘just part of the job’. But in reality, it’s one of the highest-risk activities that most of our people will ever do.

In the past year, the rail industry saw 67 road traffic collisions resulting in staff injury. And tragically, in May 2024, a fatality occurred on the road.*

As revealed in our Road Risk Safety Performance Report, driver error continues to be a significant factor in work-related driving incidents. Vehicle telemetry is also telling us that speeding is still an issue the industry needs to address.

This year’s Rail Industry Road Safety Week is dedicated to reinforcing the fundamental safety practices so important for everyone who drives for work. Whether your organisation has a mature approach to managing operational road risk or your driving policy is still evolving, this is your chance to strengthen the core principles that keep us all safe.

One of the highlights of this year’s week-long event is the promotion of the Driving for Better Business (DfBB) Driving for Work Policy Builder Toolkit. This comprehensive resource is designed to help organisations develop robust driving policies that enhance safety and efficiency. By using it, businesses can make sure their driving policies are compliant with regulations. They can also ensure they’re tailored to address specific risks and improve overall safety performance.

Throughout the week, we’ll be focusing on three critical areas that significantly affect road safety in the rail industry:

1. Speeding: We’ll be sharing tips and best practice on how to manage speed effectively. This will include the importance of sticking to speed limits and understanding the consequences of speeding.
2. Fatigue: We’ll be highlighting the signs of fatigue, the dangers it poses, and some strategies to combat it. This includes promoting regular breaks, ensuring adequate rest, and understanding how to mitigate fatigue through lifestyle choices.
3. Vehicle roadworthiness: Regular inspections are essential to ensure that road vehicles are in good working order. We’ll provide guidelines on conducting daily vehicle checks, identifying potential issues before they become serious problems, and maintaining a routine inspection schedule.