The International Standardization Organization (ISO) has released its new management system standard for road traffic safety, ISO 39001.

 

ISO 39001 is a new tool for governments, fleet operators and all organisations who want to reduce death and serious injury due to road accidents by supplying requirements for safety aspects including speed, vehicle condition and driver awareness.

 

Claes Tingvall, Chair of the ISO technical committee – ISO/TC 241, Road traffic safety management systems – that developed the standard, points out: "Road accidents account for some 1.3 million fatalities each year. The number of people killed is on the increase, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. It is crucial that governments commit to implementing a series of specific and attainable actions, including the setting of ambitious road casualty reduction targets. The sharing of know-how and experience is also needed.

 

"ISO 39001 will assist governmental and private sector organizations alike by providing a structured, holistic approach to road-traffic safety as a complement to existing programmes and regulations. It is based on the process approach, proven by successful ISO standards such as ISO 9001 for quality management, including the plan-do-check-act cycle, and a requirement for continual improvement."

 

The new standard lays down harmonised requirements that are based on international expertise and applicable to all countries in a bid to support all public or private sector organisations involved in regulating, designing or operating road transport.

 

"The standard has been developed with the support of experts from 40 countries and 16 liaison organizations, including the World Health Organization, the World Bank, and the International Road Federation," according to Peter Hartzell, Secretary of ISO/TC 241.

 

The standard can be found here