DVSA wins royal recognition for load security effort
The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has won a Prince Michael International Road Safety Award for its work in improving load security on UK roads, in partnership with the Health & Safety Laboratory (HSL) and the road transport industry.
Launched in 1987, the Prince’s awards have sought to publicly recognise those who have contributed to improved road safety throughout Britain, and more recently worldwide.
Last year, 325 vehicles are said to have shedded their loads on England’s highways, with an average of 86 minutes’ lane disruption.
The agency said the award reflected its commitment to load safety via training, education and enforcement. Its innovations in the area have included a load security matrix for enforcement staff; a guidance working group on load security; and a multimedia operators’ guide, viewable on PCs, tablets and mobile phones.
Paul Satoor, DVSA chief executive, said: “I’m extremely pleased that our work to educate drivers and operators on the importance of load security has been recognised in this way.
“DVSA will continue to take action against those who transport unsecure loads as they are putting themselves and other road users at risk.”
HRH Prince Michael of Kent said: “At the heart of the really successful programmes whether they be large or small lies partnership. It is rare that a successful intervention can be delivered without bringing together a number of organisations or agencies.”
Freight Transport Association (FTA) head of engineering, Andy Mair, added: “FTA is delighted that DVSA has received the Prince Michael Road Safety Award.
“Having worked with the association and other industry stakeholders in creating the road securing guide, it is clear how important the document is to assist operators in the transport and supply chain industry to understand methods of securing loads, and to improve compliance with load securing standards.
“FTA firmly believes that the level of compliance for load securing has improved as a result of this work which is a positive step towards road safety, and the easy to understand guidance has played a part in this.
“Guidance is a result of collaboration of industry, and this award is clear recognition of how it has changed the way organisations in our sector work. Congratulations, DVSA.”
Other winners this year included TRL, the Transport Research Laboratory, which received an award for its contribution to risk reduction at roadworks sites on live carriageways.
A partnership involving Carillion Morgan Sindall, North Yorkshire police, Highways England and RedSpeed International was highly commended for delivering “a cultural change in large goods vehicles driver behaviour through roadworks” on the A1.
Meanwhile, bulb supplier Philips Automotive Lighting also won a vehicle safety award for its Xenon High Intensity Discharge (HID) bulbs. Studies have shown that xenon lighting helps drivers to concentrate on the road, and to distinguish obstacles and road signs.
