Safer driving in the rail industry: Road Safety Week 2025
Whether transporting goods, commuting, or managing fleet operations, road safety plays a vital role in ensuring efficiency, reducing risks, and protecting lives.
According to the Road Risk Safety Performance Report, there were 90 road traffic collisions (RTCs) in 2024/25 that resulted in staff injuries. That figure includes one fatality. This marks a large increase in the number of incidents compared with the year before.
This year, the theme ‘Safe Driver’ highlights the responsibility of every driver—and the organisation they work for—to manage their safety and consider the safety of others on the road.
With support from Driving for Better Business (DfBB) and Network Rail, we’ll provide the tools to reduce work-related road risks.
Why safe driving matters in the rail industry
Rail relies heavily on road transport for a number of activities. Those include logistics, maintenance, and employee travel. But unsafe driving can lead to delays, financial losses, and serious accidents.
By prioritising safe driving practices, businesses can improve their efficiency, lower their costs, and protect their workforce. Rail industry leaders can also take proactive steps to promote safe driving.
How businesses can get involved
This year’s event will promote the use of DfBB’s Van Driver Toolkits under the themes ‘Fitness to Drive’ and ‘Driving Safely’.
Fitness to Drive toolkits will include resources on mental health and wellbeing, driver fatigue, eyesight, and others.
Driving Safely toolkits will cover driver hours, distraction, and speed limits. In addition, the Driver Roadworthiness Guide will provide strategies for assessing and maintaining driver roadworthiness.
Furthermore, Network Rail will be hosting events at locations across the country to promote safer driving (more details to follow). It will also be launching phase 2 of its Drive Safe programme, focusing on driver fatigue, with the message ‘Sleepiness is Serious’.
Resources to help with managing the basics of road risk are also available via the Drive Safe webpage.
In addition, we at RSSB will be hosting a webinar on Thursday 17 July looking at:
- the human factors behind slow manoeuvring RTCs
- how drivers can manage their mental and physical health
- how drivers can ensure that the ergonomic setup inside their vehicle supports a safe journey.
You can sign up for the event here.
The Diabetes Safety Organisation also has resources for sharing during (and beyond) Road Safety Week. For resources to raise awareness of diabetes risk for drivers, you can contact RRG@rssb.co.uk.
There is also a video explaining how having a better awareness of diabetes can improve your road risk management. Watch the video here.
The take-home message
Road safety is a shared responsibility. By embracing this year’s ‘Safe Driver’ theme, the rail industry can lead by example, ensuring that every road journey is as safe as possible.
Let’s make Road Safety Week 2025 a turning point for safer roads and a stronger commitment to driver safety.
Resources you might be interested in
- RSSB resources
- Your stories
- DfBB Rail Sector Portal
- Network Rail Drive Safe
- The Diabetes Safety Organisation
