Work-related road safety

Driving and travelling for work or working on the road should not cost lives.

Waka Kotahi, industry and other government agencies are combining forces to implement the Work-related Road Safety Programme, which is a key focus of the Road to Zero strategy.

The reason for improving work-related road safety is clear. About 25 percent of road deaths and serious injuries are work related. Ensuring businesses and other organisations take their responsibilities in this area seriously could significantly reduce harm to workers and to other road users.

The Work-related Road Safety Programme covers five road user groups:

1. professional drivers whose job is driving
2. professional travellers who drive as part of their job ie plumbers and salespeople
3. commuters travelling to and from work
4. road users impacted by work activity ie cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists
5. workers on the road ie first responders and temporary traffic management.

It will be developed in stages over several years to deliver:

• a road safety collaborative organisation modelled on Australia's National Road Safety Partnership Programme (NRSPP)
• an action plan for work-related road activity to reduce harm
• a safety programme for construction work in and around vehicles to protect road users
• a pilot of driver vision and blind spot technology for heavy construction vehicles and inner-city buses
• improved work-related road safety data for government and industry use
• an industry and government partnership to establish a heavy vehicle accreditation scheme.

Establishing a road safety organisation

Work to design and establish a road safety collaborative organisation is underway. Modelled on Australia's National Road Safety Partnership Programme (NRSPP), this industry and government run organisation will co-design and deliver initiatives to reduce vehicle-related harm across the supply chain.

National Road Safety Partnership Programme(external link)

Waka Kotahi has engaged consultancy company Beginner’s Mind to understand the strategic intent, feasibility, and viability of a partnership platform for industry, government and unions around work-related road safety. This organisation could potentially be hosted by a university that would facilitate the design and implementation of safety interventions, ensuring any safety initiatives are backed by research and evidence.

Beginners Mind will seek input from a wide range of stakeholders who are committed to improving Aotearoa's road safety. Stakeholders include Waka Kotahi, New Zealand universities, industry representatives, transport health safety and wellbeing managers and large supply chain organisations.

A report outlining the feasibility of establishing a collaborative road safety organisation and recommended actions will be produced at the conclusion of the co-design phase in late 2023.

Contact us

For more information on the Work-related Road Safety Programme, email WRRS@nzta.govt.nz