contents - transport accident · pdf filevehicle safety 07 before you drive 09 ... / drink...

TOWARDSZERO.VIC.GOV.AU 01

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 03

OUR COMMITMENT 05

DRIVERS 06

VEHICLE SAFETY 07

BEFORE YOU DRIVE 09

/ Vehicleuserequirements 09

/ Vehicleset-up 09

/ Driverset-up 09

WHILE YOU DRIVE 10

/ Travelspeed 10

/ Distractions 12

/ Drowsiness 14

/ Drinkdriving 16

/ Drugdriving 17

PEDESTRIANS 18

CYCLISTS 20

MOTORCYCLISTS 24

PUBLIC TRANSPORT 28

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 30

YOUR COMMITMENT 32

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INTRODUCTION

Roadsafetyisasharedresponsibility.Weallhavearoletoplayinkeepingourselvesandotherssafe.

ThisSafeTravelPolicyoutlineswhatyoucandoandwhatwearedoingasyouremployertohelpyougetaroundassafelyaspossible,whetheritbebycar,bike,motorbikeorasapedestrian.

Thispolicyappliestoyouifyoutravelaspartofyourwork,irrespectiveofwhetheryou’redrivingorridingyourownvehicle,orusingoneofourfleetorcompanyvehicles.Wewouldalsoliketothinkthatoutsideofworkyou’reguidedbythesafebehavioursoutlinedinthispolicyandthatyou’rearoadsafetyrolemodelforfamilyandfriends,andinyourcommunity.

Towards Zero is ultimately about improving the health and liveability of our communities. That’s why this policy also encourages and supports the safe use of alternative transport whenever practical, including public transport.

WevalueourreputationforbeinganorganisationthatiscommittedtoTowardsZeroandavisionofzerodeathsandseriousinjuriesontheroads.

WeexpectouremployeestosupportusinthisendeavourbymakingeveryefforttoactasTowardsZeroroadsafetyambassadors.

Eachyearyouwillberequiredtorenewyourcommitmenttobeingambassadorsbyreadingandacknowledgingthatyouunderstandthispolicy.

Itisonlythroughcollectivecommitmentandactionthatwewillbeabletoreduceroadtraumaandultimatelyachieveafuturewherenooneiskilledorseriouslyinjuredonourroads.

For more information on Towards Zero, visit www.towardszero.vic.gov.au

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/ Allowingareasonabletimeframefortravellingbetweenappointments

/ Ensuringcolleaguesandclientsdonotexpectyoutotakecallswhileyouaretravelling

/ Understandingthatifyoufeelunfittodriveorride,youdon’thaveto

/ Providingovernightaccommodationforemployeeswhoarerequiredtotravelalongdistancehomeafteralongday

/ Ensuringlongdistancetravelorlatemeetingsarenotfollowedbyearlycommitmentsthefollowingday

/ Providingalternativetransport,suchasataxi,whenappropriate

/ Encouragingandsupportingtheuseofpublictransportwheneverpractical

/ ProvidingaSafeTravelPolicy

OUR COMMITMENT

We will support all employees to travel as safely as possible by:

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/ DRIVERS


All of our fleet vehicles have a 5-star Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) rating. This means these vehicles have at least the following safety features:

/ ElectronicStabilityControl

ElectronicStabilityControl(ESC)helpsadrivertomaintaincontroloftheirvehiclewhenahazardoussituationrequiresasuddenchangeinsteering.

/ Seatbeltremindersandseatbeltpre-tensiondevices

Seatbeltremindersalertthedriverifanoccupantofthecarisnotwearingaseatbelt,whilepre-tensiondevicestightenandreduceslackinseatbeltstoprotectoccupantsfromrapidlymovingforwardintheeventofacrash.

/ Driverandpassengerairbags

Frontalairbagsprotectthedriverandfrontpassengerfromstrikingotherpartsofthecarinafrontalcrash.Theseairbagsaredesignedtobeusedinconjunctionwithseatbelts.

/ Curtainairbags

Curtainairbagsactivateinstantaneouslyintheeventofasideimpactcrash,deployingfromthetopofthedoorrailsabovethesidewindow.Theyformacushionbetweenthedriverorpassengerandthewindow,protectingtheheadfromstrikingthesideofthecarorrigidobjectsliketreesorpoles.

VEHICLE SAFETY

FACT

If everybody upgraded their vehicle to the safest in its class, road trauma would drop by a third.

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/ Reversingcameras

Reversingcamerasprovideabetterrearwardviewandcanassistthedrivertolookoutforyoungchildrenandotherroadusers.

Ourvehiclesareregularlyservicedandmaintainedtoensuretheyremaininasafeandroad-worthycondition.

Youcanfindmoreinformationonvehiclesafetyatwww.howsafeisyourcar.com.au

Wealsoencourageyoutousetheabovesitewhenpurchasingavehicleforprivateuseandrecommendwww.howsafeisyourfirstcar.com.auwhenchoosingavehicleforayoungdriverinyourfamily.

We are working towards being able to introduce the latest safety features into our fleet as soon as they become available.


BEFORE YOU DRIVE

VEHICLE USE REQUIREMENTS

/ Youmayonlydriveavehicleifyouholdacurrentandvaliddrivinglicence

/ Youmustbefittodrive–thatis,youmustnotdriveifyouhaveacondition(temporaryorongoing)thatwillimpairyourabilitytodrive.Useofsomeprescriptionmedication,feelingtired/drowsyorunwellwillaffectyourabilitytoundertakethedemandingandcomplextaskofdriving

/ Youmustadheretoallroadrules

/ Youmustdriveappropriatelyforroadconditionsandbecourteoustootherroadusers

/ YoumustabidebyourSafeTravelPolicy

VEHICLE SET-UP / Doaquickexternalinspectionofthevehicle

/ Checkthetyres.Ensuretheylookinflatedandhavegoodtread(tyrepressuresarelistedonaplacardinfleetvehicles)

/ Isthevehiclecleanandingoodorder?Isthewindscreenclean?

/ Justasyouwoulddowithyourdeskandregularworkstation,itisimportanttogetthebasicergonomicscorrectbeforedriving.Thiswillhelpinmanyways:itwillallowthecar’ssafetyfeaturestoprovidemaximumbenefit;itwillassistwithcarcontrol;and,itwillprovideyouwiththebestvision

/ Beforeyoustarteachjourney,checkthepositionofyourseat,mirrors,steeringwheelandheadrest.Youshouldbeabletoreachthepedalscomfortablyanduseyourmirrorstogetagoodlookbehindandtoeachsideofthevehicle

DRIVER SET-UP

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WHILE YOU DRIVE

When driving, it is important you consider the following and the potential impact on your safety.

THE PROBLEM

Thespeedyouaretravellingatimmediatelypriortoacrashwilldeterminetheseverityandoutcomes.

Alltypesofspeeding(excessive,low-levelandinappropriate)aredangerous.Speedingincreasesthelikelihoodofcrashingandtheseverityofacrashbecauseitreducesthetimeadriverhastoavoidacrash,itaffectsadriver’sabilitytocontrolthevehicleandittakesalongerdistancetostop.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

/ Travelatorunderthesign-postedspeedlimitandataspeedsuitableforroadconditions

/ Bealerttotemporaryadvisorysignsforroadworksorchangedroadconditions

/ Ifyoufindyouarehavingdifficultykeepingtothelimitinacar,thereareanumberoftechnologiesthatmaybeofassistancetoyou,suchascruisecontrolandtopspeedlimiters(yousetthetopspeedthatthecarcantravelat).ThereisalsotechnologycalledIntelligentSpeedAssist(ISA)whichprovidesanalerttodriverswhentheyareoverthespeedlimit

/ Maintainasafefollowingdistancebetweenyouandthevehicleinfront

Safefollowingdistancesdependonanumberoffactors,suchasroadconditions.Inidealconditions,maintainingagapofatleasttwosecondsbetweenvehiclesisregardedassafe.Youcandeterminethisbywatchingtherearofthevehicleinfrontofyoupassaparticularspotontheroadorroadsideandcountingsecondsuntilthefrontofyourvehiclepassesthatspot.Ifyoucountlessthantwoseconds,youaretravellingtoocloselyandshoulddropback.

TRAVEL SPEED


/ Respondtoadverseconditions

Whendrivinginadverseconditions,suchaswetroads,fog,dirtroadsetc.,dropyourspeedandincreasethegapbetweenyourvehicleandthevehicleinfront.

SOME FACTS

/ Increasingvehiclespeedfrom60km/hto65km/hina60km/hzonedoublesyourriskofbeinginvolvedinacrash

/ Speedingdoesn’tsignificantlyreducethetimeofacartrip.Forexample,aroadtriponanunimpeded10kmstretchofroadat65kn/hinsteadof60km/honlysavesyou46seconds

TRAVEL SPEED

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THE PROBLEM

Anyobjectoractivitythattakesaperson’sattentionawayfromtheroad–whetheritisamobilephone,eatingortalkingtoothers–isapotentialdistraction.

Internationalresearchintoroaduserdistractionshasfoundthattakingyoureyesofftheroadisamajorcontributortocrashes.Takingyoureyesofftheroadforjusttwosecondswhendrivingat50km/hmeansyouareeffectivelytravellingblindfor27metres.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

/ Planandprepare

Beforeyousetoff,changetheradiotothestationofyourchoiceorconnectyourmusic,setclimatecontrolandmakesurethevehicleissetupforyou(mirrors,seatpositionetc.).

Secureanythingthatcouldfallontothefloorofthevehicleandrollaround.Findyoursunglassesoranythingelseyouneedfordriving.PlanyourtripandsetyourGPSifyouareusingone.Knowwhereyouaregoing.

/ Restricttheuseofmobilephones

Theuseofahand-heldmobileisillegalandshouldnotbeused.

Youcanonlyuseyourmobilephonewhiledrivingifitissecuredinacradlefixedtothevehicle.However,werecommendyoueitherturnoffyourphoneorkeepphoneconversationswhiledrivingtoanabsoluteminimum.

DISTRACTIONS


Incircumstanceswhereyouneedtomakeorreceiveacall,pullovertoasafelocation.Ifthisisn’tpossible,then:

/ Makesurethehands-freefunctionissetupandworkingbeforeyoustartdriving

/ Keepconversationsshort

/ Donotengageincomplexoremotionalconversations

/ Explaintoyourcallerthatyouaredrivingandarrangeabettertimetospeakwiththem

/ Ensuretheconversationisnotdistractingyoufromdrivingandifitis,endthecall

Please note, probationary drivers are not allowed to use a mobile phone under any circumstances while driving.

DISTRACTIONS

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DROWSINESS THE PROBLEM

Drowsinessisthefeelingoftirednessandanoverwhelmingurgetosleep.

Drowsinessaffectsadriver’sreactiontimeandabilitytoconcentrate,andcancreatetheveryrealriskoffallingasleepatthewheel.

Somesignsofdrowsinessinclude:

/ Difficultyconcentrating/reducedawarenessofenvironment

/ Slowerreactiontime

/ Feelingsleepy

/ Eyesclosingorgoingoutoffocus

/ Increasedyawning/rubbingeyes/feelingrestless

/ Seekingstimulustoremainawake(e.g.turninguptheradio,windingdownthewindow)

WHAT YOU CAN DO

/ Avoiddrivingwhenyouaretired

/ Planyourjourneytoincludeabreakfromdrivingeverytwohours

/ Avoiddrivingduringhourswhenyouwouldnormallybeasleep

/ Ifyouareontheroadandyoufeeldrowsy,thebestoptionistopulloversafelyandhavea15minutepowernap


/ Aimtogetenoughgoodqualitysleeppriortodriving,regardlessofwhetherthetripisalongorshortone.Ahealthyadultneedsanaverageofbetweensevenandninehourssleeptofunctionoptimally

/ Reschedulecommitmentsifyouknowyouhavehadapoorsleepthenightbeforeyourjourney

SOME FACTS

/ Drowsinessisthefirstsignthatyou’realreadyfallingasleep.Throughouttheday,sleep-inducingchemicalsbuildupinyourbrain.Theyeventuallyreachatippingpoint,sendingyouofftosleep.Youhavenocontroloverwhenorwherethathappens,anditcanhappeninaninstant

/ Theonlyremedyfordrowsinessissleep

DROWSINESS

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THE PROBLEM

Drinkdrivingremainsakeycontributortotraumaonourroads.Alcoholcansignificantlyreduceyourreactiontime.Itadverselyaffectscoordination,slowsdownreflexesandreducesyourabilitytomakedecisions.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

/ Separateyourdrinkingfromyourdriving

/ Avoidconsumingalcoholpriortodriving

/ Bemindfulofthefactthatyourbloodmaystillcontainalcoholwellafteryourlastdrink,eventhemorningafter

SOME FACTS

BloodAlcoholConcentration(BAC)isameasurementoftheamountofalcoholinthebody.

ManyfactorscanaffectyourBACincluding:

/ Theamountofalcoholconsumed

/ Theperiodoftimeoverwhichalcoholisconsumed

/ Yourbodymass

/ Whetherornotyouhaveeaten

/ Yourfitnesslevels

/ Thehealthofyourliver

DRINK DRIVING


THE PROBLEM

Drugdrivingisamajorissueonourroads.Allillicitandsomeprescriptiondrugsreduceadriver’sabilitytofullycontrolavehicle.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

/ Neverdriveaftertakingillicitdrugs

/ Bemindfulthatillicitdrugscanremaininyoursystemforalongtimeandthedurationofimpairmentvaries

/ Inthecaseofprescriptiondrugs,itisimportantyouspeakwithyourdoctorandpharmacistaboutyourfitnesstodrivewhiletakingthemedication

SOME FACTS

Illicitdrugspolicecantestforinclude:

/ THC(activecomponentincannabis)

/ Methamphetamines(speed,ice)

/ MDMA(ecstasy)

Itisimportanttorememberyoucannotdrivewhileaffectedbyanydrug,regardlessofwhetheritislegalorillegaldrug.

DRUG DRIVING

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/ PEDESTRIANS


To stay safe, please consider the following:

/ Whereverpossible,crossroadsatapedestriancrossing,trafficsignalorwheretherearekerbextensionswhichcreateashortercrossingdistance

/ Unplugearphonesandputyourmobilephoneaway

/ Lookbeforecrossing–don’tjustfollowsomeoneelseontotheroad

/ Walkstraightacrosstheroad–don’tjay-walk

/ Neverassumethatthedriverofanapproachingvehiclecanseeyouorwillstopforyou–waituntilallvehicleshavestoppedbeforeyoustepoffthekerb

/ Avoidcrossingbetweenparkedcarsoratthefrontorbackofbusesandlargevehicles

/ Atintersections,checkforturningvehiclesbeforeyouleavethekerbandwhileyouarecrossingtheroad

/ Atrailwaylevelcrossings,waitfortheboomgatestoriseandbellstostopbeforeyoucross–asecondtrainmaybeapproaching

/ Usepedestrianunderpassesoroverpasseswhereavailable

/ Avoidcrossingnearabendorcrestintheroad

/ Avoidcrossingonroundabouts,particularlymulti-laneroundaboutsastheyareverybusyandcomplex,andcarsarenotrequiredtogivewaytoyou,unlessthereisapedestriancrossing

Pedestrians are among our most vulnerable road users. As a pedestrian, it’s important you follow the road rules and pay attention to what’s going on around you at all times.

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/ CYCLISTS

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To stay safe cyclists need to:

/ Obeytrafficsignalsandstopsigns

/ Wherepossible,rideindedicatedbikelanesoroff-roadbikepaths

/ Ridepredictably

/ Bealerttotraffic

/ Rideinthesamedirectionasothertraffic

/ Ensurethebicycleismaintained

/ Uselightsatnight.Thisisthelaw.Thefrontandrearlightsmustbevisiblefrom200metresandthebicyclemustalsohavearedrearreflectorvisiblefrom50metres.Penaltiesmayapplyifcyclistsdon’tuselightsatnightorinconditionsoflowlight

/ Wearacorrectlyfitted,Australianstandards-approvedbicyclehelmet

Bicycles are vehicles and under the law bike riders have the same rights and responsibilities as car drivers. However, cyclists don’t have the added protection of a car and are therefore among our most vulnerable road users.

All bike riders and their passengers and scooter riders are legally required to wear a bike helmet. This applies when riding on roads, bike paths, bike lanes, shared and separated footpaths, recreational parks and car parks.

Other tips for cyclist safety:

/ Beforechanginglanesandturning,alwaysscanbehindandsignalyourintentionstootherroadusers

/ Trytomakeeyecontactwithotherroaduserstohelpthemknowthatyouarethere

/ Lookoutfordriversandpassengersgettinginandoutofparkedcarsandbeawareoftheriskofcardoorsopening

/ Don’trideontheinsideoflargervehiclessuchasbusesandtrucks–thedriverscan’tseeyouandthesevehiclesmaybeturningwhichwillrequiremorespacethananormalpassengercar


/ Becarefulridingovertramtracks,especiallyinwetweather

/ Whenusingasinglelaneroundabout,rideinthemiddleofthelane.Thisissoyouaremorevisibletootherroadusersandyouarelesslikelytobecutoffwhenotherroadusersareexitingtheroundabout

/ Whenridingthroughamulti-laneroundaboutyouarepermittedtorideintheleftlane,evenifyouareturningright.Ifyoudo,youmustgivewaytovehiclesexitingtheroundabout.Makesureyousignalyourintentionsandwherepossible,trytomakeeyecontact

/ Whenusingasharedpathorseparatedfootpath,rideinamannerandaspeedthatwillenableyoutogivewaytopedestrians.Alwaysletpeoplewalkingorslowbikeridersknowyouareabouttopassbyringingyourbellorcallingout

/ Wearabrightlycolouredtopthatmakesyoustandouttoensureyouareseenbydrivers.Therearealsoreflectiveveststhatyoumaywanttoconsiderwearingtoimproveyourchancesofbeingseen

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/ MOTORCYCLISTS

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/ Youmayonlyrideamotorcycleifyouholdacurrentandvalidmotorcyclelicence

/ Youmustbefittoride–thatis,youmustnotrideifyouhaveahealthcondition(temporaryorongoing)thatwillimpairyourabilitytoride.Useofsomeprescriptionmedication,feelingtired/drowsyorunwellwillaffectyourabilitytoundertakethedemandingandcomplextasksrequiredtoride

/ Youmustadheretoallroadrules

/ Youmustrideappropriatelyforroadconditionsandbecourteoustootherroadusers

/ Youmustwearprotectivegearandanapprovedhelmet

Riding a motorcycle carries a higher injury risk than other forms of transport. We encourage you to assess whether the same trip could be done by car or public transport.

BEFORE YOU RIDE

MOTORCYCLE USE REQUIREMENTS

MOTORCYCLE SET-UP Do some quick checks of your motorcycle before you ride:

/ Checkthetyrepressuresarecorrectandtyrewearlimitshavenotbeenreached

/ Testthateachbrakeoperatesandthatthebrakelightworks.Testtheclutchandthrottlearesmoothandthatthecablesaren’tkinked

/ Checkalllights,includingindicators,areworking

/ Ifrequired,adjustthechaintension

/ Confirmthebikehassufficientfuelforyourtrip

/ Whenyoumountyourbike,adjustthemirrorstoprovideaclearviewoftheareabehindyou

It is important to buy the safest protective gear you can afford and wear it every time you ride, even on short trips. Safety gear includes an approved helmet, which is a legal requirement in Australia, a jacket with armour, pants with armour, boots and gloves. A full-face helmet gives the best protection.


WHILE YOU RIDE

When riding your motorcycle, it is important you are mindful of the issues outlined on pages 10-17 of this policy.

To stay safe, please also consider the below:

/ Beforestartingyourtrip,notifyyourmanagerofyourdestination,expectedarrivalandreturntimesandregistrationnumber

/ Rideatasafespeedfortheconditions

/ Stayoutofadriver’sblindspot

/ Ridingismentallydemanding.Ifyoufeeltiredorfindyourconcentrationwandering,stopandrest

/ Maintainaridinglineandspeedthatallowsyoutocornerwithoutcrossingtheroad’scentreline

/ Watchforloosegravel,oil,fuelorwateracrosstheroad

/ Planatriproutethatminimisescrashrisk.Wherepossible,avoidroutesinvolvinghigh-speedwindingroads,unsealedroadsandremotelocations

Formoreinformationonmotorcyclesafetyvisitwww.spokes.com.au

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/ PUBLIC TRANSPORT

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Some of the benefits of taking public transport are:

/ Innearlyallcases,itisthesafestformoftransport

/ Itencouragesamoreactivehealthylifestyle,particularlyifyouarewalkingorcyclingtoastationorstop

/ Ithelpsreducethenumberofcarsontheroads,whichinturnreducesroadcongestionandpollution

/ Thereisnoneedtofindacarpark

/ Itcanbelessstressfulthansittingintraffic

For tips on travelling safely on public transport, go to www.ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/travelling-safely

There are many advantages to taking public transport and we encourage and support employees to use this option when practical.

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Roadsafetyisasharedresponsibility.Weallhavearoletoplayinkeepingourselvesandotherssafe.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

/ ProvideleadershipforasafetravelculturewithintheTACandwithexternalstakeholders,includingthebroadercommunity

/ Ensuresystemsareinplaceandappropriateresourcesareallocatedtoeffectivelymanagehealthandsafetyrisksacrosstheorganisation

/ Reviewhealthandsafetyincidentreportsandendorsecorrectiveaction

/ Reviewandaddressallincidentsrelatingtotravel

/ Purchasethesafestvehiclespracticableandensurethey’remaintainedtoahighstandard

/ Ensureemployeesaregivensufficienttimetotravel,restandmanagefatigue

/ Ensureemployeesarenotexpectedtomakeandrespondtophonecallswhiletravelling

/ ProvideaSafeTravelPolicy

/ EnsureallemployeesundertaketheSafeTravelPolicyeLearningmoduleannually

/ AddressbreachesoftheSafeTravelPolicy

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES


EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES

/ Ensureyouholdacurrent,validlicencewhendrivingorridingavehicle

/ Abidebyallroadrules

/ Minimisetheuseofahands-freemobilephonewhiledrivingandneveruseahand-heldmobile

/ Don’tdriveorridewhendrowsyorimpairedbymedication

/ Takerestbreaksaftereverytwohoursofcontinuousdriving/ridingorwhenfeelingdrowsy

/ Reportanytravel-relatedincidents(ReportingprocedurescanbefoundonInTACunderHealth,SafetyandWellbeing)

/ Carryoutroutinevehiclechecksbeforedriving/riding

/ Identifyandreportanyunsafeworkpracticesorhazards(ReportingprocedurescanbefoundonInTACunderHealth,SafetyandWellbeing)

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (continued)

Please refer to the Safe Travel Policy FAQ document for more detailed explanations about this policy and for information about disciplinary action for breaches of the policy.

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Please sign and date the below to acknowledge that you have read and understood this Safe Travel Policy.

I, (employee’sname),

havereadandunderstoodtheSafeTravelPolicyandwillmakeeveryeffortoverthecomingyeartobearoadsafetyrolemodel.

Signature

Date

Users of fleet and company vehicles, please sign below to consent to annual licence checks.

(LicencecheckswillbemanagedinaccordancewiththeTAC’sprivacypolicyandthePrivacyandDataProtectionAct2014.PleaseseetheSafeTravelPolicyFAQdocumentformoreinformation.)

I, (employee’sname),

consenttotheTACconductinganannuallicencecheck.

Signature

Date

YOUR COMMITMENT

TOWARDSZERO.VIC.GOV.AU

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