The highly prestigious Brake Fleet Safety Awards 2016, which took place recently in Birmingham, saw not for profit road safety initiative Driver First Assist (DFA), win the coveted Fleet Safety Innovation Award.
The awards celebrate the achievements of those working around the world to reduce the number of road traffic collisions involving at-work drivers. The Fleet Safety Innovation Award is granted to a fleet or service provider that has developed a pioneering approach to fleet safety with the greatest success.
DFA is a game changing road safety initiative which provides professional drivers with the skills to both safely manage the scene of a road traffic collision and where necessary to administer potentially life-saving first aid.
Chief executive and director of DFA, David Higginbottom said: “Driver First Assist was set up with the support of all three emergency services to provide drivers – those often first on the scene – with the skills they need to help reduce fatalities, lesson the severity of injuries and re-open roads more quickly. We are delighted that the campaign has been recognised by Brake and the judging panel and we will continue to work towards making roads a safer place for all.”
Ellie Pearson, professional engagement manager at Brake, said: “Driver First Assist has developed a truly unique and innovative scheme, equipping professional drivers with first aid training so they can help road crash victims in the crucial moments following a collision before emergency services arrive. We’re delighted to be able to recognise them for their hard work and effort to reduce road deaths and injuries.”
The Fleet Safety Awards are judged by a panel of experts representing every aspect of the fleet industry, including fleet operators, local councils and institutes such as the Association of Car Fleet Operators (ACFO) British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT)Cranfield University, the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL)
