Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
The Prince Michael International Road Safety Award recognises the agencys commitment to improving the security of loads by working in partnership with the transport industry to develop a training, education and enforcement strategy including a :
- training package for enforcement staff featuring an innovative load security matrix
- load security guidance working group
- guide for operators, including videos
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) Chief Executive, Paul Satoor, said:
Im 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.
The judges said that DVSA work on improving load security was based on sound research and developed in close partnership with the haulage industry.
It was considered a fine example of enforcement combined with education.
The Prince Michael International Road Safety Award
The Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards recognise achievements and innovations which will improve road safety.
Each year the most outstanding examples of international road safety initiatives are given public recognition through the scheme.
Support from the transport industry
The training, education and enforcement strategy was developed in partnership with a range of organisations including:
- trade associations
- the Police
- large and small haulage companies
- Highways England
- Health & Safety Laboratory (HSL)
Freight Transport Association (FTA) Head of Engineering, Andy Mair, said:
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.
Reducing the impact on UK roads
DVSA hopes its work to improve the security of loads will help to reduce the time people spend stuck in traffic queues.
In 2014, Highways England reported 325 incidents of vehicles shedding their loads with the average lane impact of 86 minutes.
Transport loads securely
As part of the strategy to improve the safety of loads, in March 2015, DVSA published a guide to help vehicle operators transport loads securely.
The guide, that was developed with the transport industry, sets out important information like:
- whos responsible for load securing
- the consequences of poor load securing
- how DVSA enforces the rules on load securing
It gives practical advice about:
- loading on different types of vehicles
- carrying different types of loads
The guide includes videos so operators can find out things like:
- what DVSA looks for when it stops a vehicle at the roadside
- how different load securing systems can be used