BCSP Viewpoints: Even with new tech, road safety requires culture and collaboration

We may not have reached “The Jetsons” age of flying cars just yet, but we’ve sure come a long way.

Over my nearly 30-year career, nothing has transformed safety in the road transportation industry more than technology. From advanced driver-assistance systems – including automatic braking, lane assist and collision avoidance – to the introduction of autonomous vehicles, the advancements have come at a rapid pace.

Although technology plays an ever-increasing role in road safety, it’s still only part of the larger picture. The need for a mature safety culture – and the role of the safety leader in cultivating it – remains at the heart of it all.

The safest organizations prioritize their people and listen to them, even when that’s difficult. For those in road transportation, this means welcoming feedback from their drivers who are uniquely able to report on road hazards or vehicle problems. It also means fostering an environment in which everyone views safety as their responsibility.

Achieving results requires all of us working together. Today, collaboration is driving progress across the safety landscape. In road transportation, this atmosphere of cooperation has led to initiatives such as the Road to Zero Coalition. A combined effort of the National Safety Council, the Department of Transportation and hundreds of member organizations working in and around road safety, the coalition has harnessed its collective expertise toward the goal of eliminating traffic deaths.

Safety leaders can capitalize on this collective synergy to build support for initiatives aimed at meeting today’s industry challenges and opportunities, including:
Keeping pace with tech. With the landscape ever-changing, organizations may be hesitant to invest in technology that they fear might soon be surpassed. Safety leaders should impress upon key decision-makers the value of their investment in protecting their workers and the potential cost savings that come from further reducing road incidents.
Addressing driver shortages. Driving typically isn’t the most lucrative profession, nor does it always come with the most normal work hours. From signing bonuses to retention bonuses, organizations are getting creative to attract and retain quality drivers. An atmosphere in which drivers feel safe, valued and heard can also go a long way.
Designing safer vehicles. As technology continues to advance, safety professionals should take an active role in vehicle design. Their intimate knowledge of risk, hazards and controls is a valuable addition to the process of developing vehicles that promote enhanced safety.
Preparing drivers. Proper training is imperative, especially as it relates to hazard awareness and operating in adverse weather. With pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and frequently distracted drivers in other vehicles, drivers must be trained to constantly scan their surroundings.

We’re still in the early stages of the driverless revolution, and even the autonomous vehicles on the road today require someone on board who can take over if necessary. The need for human operators isn’t going away anytime soon. As we continue to work toward a safer future on the roads, safety pros have a critical role to play in protecting people today and shaping the technologies that will drive our tomorrow.

One day, of course, those flying cars will need to operate safely, too.