Johnson & Johnson, which has reduced its crashes per million miles driven rate by 37% globally, has been given the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award.

Each year the Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards publicly recognises the most outstanding achievements and innovations designed to improve road safety.

The Johnson & Johnson global SAFE Fleet programme was launched 17 years ago.

At the time the company, one of the world’s leading health service and pharmaceutical organisations, operated a global fleet of 10,000 vehicles.

Today that fleet has expanded to 33,000 vehicles collectively driven some 656 million miles in 2010.

The SAFE Fleet programme educates and trains employees about safe driving techniques and injury prevention strategies.

“The goal of SAFE Fleet is to ensure that our drivers around the world return home safely at the end of each day - to their benefit and the benefit of their families and communities,” said Alex Gorsky, vice chairman, executive committee, Johnson & Johnson, and executive sponsor of SAFE Fleet.

“We’re honoured to receive this award and grateful for the attention such an award brings to this critical issue.”

Prince Michael said: “The need for enhanced road safety is one of the most intractable of world problems and I applaud the company as a fine example to the private sector of what can be done to address this global endemic. Urgent action is needed today and during the forthcoming decade of action to help reduce these tragic, yet preventable deaths and injuries.”