A Q&A with Santa, and Fleet Manager Mrs Claus, of North Pole Inc
With Brake’s annual Road Safety Week underway, we've joined forces with the road safety charity to celebrate the heroic work of those behind the wheel
This year’s weeklong campaign, from November 15th-21st, celebrates roads safety heroes by encouraging road safety professionals to celebrate those who reduce causalities and accidents, speak up for everyone’s right to make safe journeys, and join the community of road safety heroes.
For us, this year’s theme is particularly pertinent as a business that believes drivers, and all those involved in the supply chain are at the heart of the transport and logistics industry. Even under the hardest of circumstances, their work in maintaining safety for all road users gives real cause for applause. As such, we're fully aligned with Brake’s mission to promote all the great road safety heroes in the driving seat.
This year’s awareness week comes after the Department for Transport released its annual report on ‘Reported Road Casualties in Great Britain’. The findings showed that road accidents overall decreased in 2020 compared with 2019, with commercial-related accidents[1] (casualties and fatalities) down by 18% over the same period. These statistics illustrate the role commercial drivers all play in reducing road deaths and injuries.
To show our appreciation and thanks, we're running a year-long campaign – Going the Extra Mile, to celebrate the everyday heroes who go above and beyond the call of duty to champion road safety. From HGV drivers and bin men to transport managers, we as a business salute all individuals who work in the world of safety and logistics.
In support of Going The Extra Mile, Chris Willocks, Corporate Partnership Manager at Brake, said: “We want a world where everyone is free to move in a safe and healthy way, every day. Having organisations working with Brake to support and champion fleet organisations is so important. We appreciate Teletrac Navman’s focus on championing heroes throughout the year as well as during Road Safety Week.”
Peter Millichap, Marketing Director at Teletrac Navman UK, added: “Going the Extra Mile is more than showing our appreciation for the drivers who continue to keep the country moving following the effects of the pandemic, it’s also an opportunity to recognise their commitment to keeping the roads safe for everyone.
“Yet, it can be very easy to lose sight of the people behind the wheel of a long distance artic, or those driving the everyday recycling lorries. And according to recent data 91% of drivers believe they do not get enough respect for the job they do, which is even more reason that these professionals, who work so hard to keep our roads safe, are the ones we’ll be celebrating in 2021 and beyond.”
Last month’s ‘Hidden Hero’ was John Pearce Transport: a family-run business awarded in recognition of the onus they place on mental health support, safety, and perseverance throughout the pandemic and beyond.
Clive Davies, Managing Director of John Pearce Transport, said: “I’m incredibly proud of the team, including the drivers, the office staff, the warehouse operatives, the night shift workers and the workshop guys. They’ve all worked so hard, taken extra care,and been very flexible.”
As a company that places mental health support high on its business agenda, the team decided to donate their prize money to the local mental health charity Mind in Neath, Port Talbot.
Do you know a Road Safety Hero?
We are now looking to champion future ‘Hidden Heroes’ in support of Road Safety Week.
If you’ve got a colleague who goes above and beyond, whether it be in road safety or in the wider arena of the transport industry, you can nominate them for a ‘Hidden Heroes’ award by contacting Heather.Waters@TeletracNavman.com
And, in the meantime, make sure to celebrate Road Safety Week by signing up and seeing how you can get involved.
[1] The segmentation covers heavy and light commercial vehicles only, excluding passenger transport