Excell excels in road Safety

A comprehensive driver safety programme resulting in a sharp drop in at-fault motor vehicles accidents has won the 'Road Safety in Organisations' category in this year’s Road Safety Innovation Awards.

Excell Corporation Limited a national Auckland-based infrastructure maintenance company Excell Corporation has implemented a range of safety measures since 1999 to reduce its employees' at-fault accident rate. The result of the programme has been a drop in the at-fault accident rate from 72 percent to 49 percent, with a goal of 20 percent by 2006. The estimated costs to the company of vehicle and property damage has reduced from $336,000 in 2001/02 to $182,000 in 2003/04.

The measures put in place by Excell include road safety education programmes, driver licence checking, the implementation of a safe driving policy and an alcohol and drug free workplace programme.

Excell is responsible for managing and maintaining infrastructure including parks and recreational facilities, roads, water and waste management systems.

An analysis of the company's once high employee accident rate showed the crashes were being caused by a wide range of factors and would require a complex and multi-faceted solution. While Excell has also introduced other initiatives and innovations across its health and safety system, the area of driver and road safety was a key concern.

Road Safety Innovation Awards' Chief Judge Dr Carolyn Coggan says the Excell programme can serve as an example for other New Zealand corporates to follow.

“This programme shows the many savings that can be achieved when road and driver safety are targeted in organisations – savings include time, money and perhaps even lives.

“Excell are to be congratulated for making road safety a priority and for working with their employees to keep them and the public safe.”

The company will receive its award tonight (22 February 2005) at a Wellington ceremony hosted by Transport Safety Minister Hon Harry Duynhoven.

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