The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has been presented with a PRAISE award for its efforts in improving road safety at work through its own staff driving guidelines and safeguards.

The accolade has come from the Brussels-based European Transport Safety Council (ETSC). The awards recognise organisations in Europe that have taken ‘outstanding measures to improve road safety at work.’

The IAM won in the small and medium-sized enterprise category, and was credited for its online and on-road risk assessment of all staff driving on work business, annual targets to reduce total mileage and number of collisions, and a company car scheme requiring Euro NCAP five star rating and random inspection of vehicles.

The PRAISE project (Preventing Road Accidents and Injuries for the Safety of Employees) addresses the safety aspects of driving at work and driving to work, and its aim is to promote best practice in order to help employers achieve high road safety standards for their employees.

Through its Drive & Survive subsidiary, the IAM recognises this and has issued a number of papers on the issue.

Earlier in the year it discovered a shocking 86% of fleets have experienced an accident in the previous 12 months, while 100% of fleets have had an accident where one of their drivers was ‘at fault’.

It also found only 14% of fleets had not had any vehicle incidents in their fleet in the previous 12 months.

According to Government figures, between 2008 and 2013, 3,493 people were killed in accidents involving a driver/rider driving for work, including 515 in 2013.

Sarah Sillars, IAM chief executive officer said: “We are honoured to have been recognised by the ETSC for our work in ensuring our employees don’t just talk about road safety, they live it through the business they do in our name.

“Company operators have a duty to their employees and the public that those driving in their name have undergone a high level of driver training before motoring for business. Not only do we wish to improve levels of road safety but very importantly increase people's driving experience and reduce costs for operators by minimising incidents and accidents."

Antonio Avenoso, executive director of the European Transport Safety Council, said: “Our work at the ETSC is all about saving lives. We are delighted that the IAM is living up to those beliefs and making sure its own employees reach the highest standards of driving professionalism.

“We hope that all companies operating fleets, no matter how big or small, will follow the example of the IAM and all the winners at the PRAISE awards.”

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