Prominent Kiwi companies join new ACC road safety initiative

12 June 2014

Prominent Kiwi companies join new ACC road safety initiative

Fonterra Co-operative Group and Smith & Davies Ltd – they’re both well-known Kiwi companies with a big presence on New Zealand’s roads, and they’re among the first to join a new ACC programme aimed at reducing injuries stemming from heavy vehicle crashes.

The ‘ACC Fleet Saver Programme’ is open to any company with a fleet of five or more trucks, and offers reduced ACC motor vehicle levies as a reward for good road safety practices.

Neither Fonterra nor Smith & Davies is short of a heavy vehicle or two.

Fonterra’s fleet of tankers transports around 22 billion litres of milk annually on roads up and down New Zealand, while construction and transport company Smith & Davies operates one of the largest vehicle and equipment fleets in the North Island.

ACC’s Head of Insurance Products and Injury Prevention, David Simpson, says “The ACC Fleet Saver programme is all about encouraging members to go beyond compliance and strive for best practice safety standards, to help make the roads safer for all users.”

“The safe driving practices that the programme encourages can also lead to other benefits, such as reduced fuel savings and maintenance costs.”

Fonterra General Manager Central North Island Operations, Peter Bird, says the Fonterra tanker fleet is proud to be part of the programme and recognised for their performance on the roads.

“This is a great initiative that promotes road safety, something we regard as a top priority.

“The gold standard we have recently achieved through Fleet Saver shows our commitment to making our communities safe and we encourage others to get on board to do the same.”

Raywin Head, Group Compliance Manager, Smith & Davies, says “The programme complements other safety initiatives we’re involved with, and helps our drivers focus on safety at all levels, at all times.

“Since implementing the programme, we’ve also seen a significant reduction in idling times, better fuel efficiency across the fleet, and a reduction in both vehicle-related and non-vehicle-related work injury claims. “

Mr Simpson says it’s pleasing to see such prominent companies among the first intake of members into the ACC Fleet Saver programme.

“With big players such as these involved, we hope others will follow in their footsteps.”

Businesses wanting to join the programme are required to complete a self-assessment and undergo a site audit. The audit assesses performance against seven workplace and two fleet-specific standards.

“Depending on their performance, businesses will qualify for bronze, silver or gold status, and receive levy reductions of up to $186 per vehicle.

Mr Simpson says that trucks don’t crash that often, and when they do, it’s not always the truck driver’s fault. But because trucks are bigger and weigh more than other vehicles, they’re more likely to cause fatalities and serious injuries if involved in a collision.

“Trucks are expected to get longer, heavier and more numerous on our roads in the future, so this programme is an important part of broader initiatives being taken in New Zealand to make our roads safer.”

ENDS

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