Dulux – leading New Zealand in driver safety

Dulux – leading New Zealand in driver safety

August 1 2007

Dulux is leading the way in driver safety with an internal ban on its sales representatives – and their family members - using hands-free mobile phones while driving company vehicles.

The new policy comes into action today and strengthens existing Dulux driver safety regulations even further. Dulux has had a ban on hand-held phone driver use since last century.

The hands-free policy was instigated by Northern Regional manager Dean Dodds and the Dulux Trade Management Team, who saw the ban as part of Dulux's wider responsibility as a good employer.

"Health and safety extends to vehicles which are considered to be work places.
While the law doesn't require us to ban cell phones, common sense and good business practice make it a logical decision," he said.

It was well documented that drivers lost concentration while talking on the phone, Mr Dodds said.

According to the latest official crash statistics from the Ministry of Transport, in 2005 there were seven fatal crashes resulting from cell phone use (or another two-way communications device) and 72 motor vehicle accidents.

Just prior to Easter this year, AA General Manager for Motoring Affairs Mike Noon said: "You are four times more likely to be involved in an accident - using a mobile when driving is as dangerous as being over the legal alcohol limit."

Dean Dodds said all Dulux staff members were informed that if they expected an important call while on the road, they made a time with the caller where they could stop their car and take the call safely.

"In only takes a split second of inattention to result in a tragedy and hands-free phones can also create that kind of distraction."

Land Transport New Zealand has applauded Dulux's new policy with spokesman Andy Knackstedt saying that he hoped other companies would follow suit.

Dulux policy is in line with legislation and restrictions in many other parts of the world. Most countries prohibit or restrict the use of hand-held phones and/or hands-free while driving.

Mr Dodds said Dulux wanted to enhance its reputation for being a great place to work and this was another way to achieve this.

The company had general policies in place as a responsible employer and corporate citizen and took the safety and health of all staff members and the wider environment very seriously.

"It's a commitment that is much more than the cell phones in cars", Mr Dodds said.

ENDS

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