Stimulating traffic safety of (delivery) vans by enhancing the company's safety culture

Statistics in the Netherlands show that lorry vans are more often involved in road accidents with severe consequences. This is due to characteristics of the vans in combination with characteristics of the drivers. Also, many vans are used for transportation in a business context, e.g. service companies, carpenters, (industrial) contractors, couriers, etcetera. In this research the potential incentives for such companies to invest in transport safety have been investigated.A difference was made between companies with little or no attention to safety on the one hand (reactive safety culture) and companies that already pay attention to safety (proactive safety culture). Companies were scored on their level of safety culture, reactive or proactive, based on the safety culture ladder (Hearts & Minds model; Hudson, 2007).The research question was: "how can companies with (delivery-) vans with a reactive safety culture, be encouraged to pay (more) attention to road safety? This question is examined through 10 company visits. Interviews were held with representatives of the staff departments (quality, safety), management and the workfloor. The investigation has led to an overview of different possible measures to develop orintroduce in the companies. The point of departure has always been that measures shall beconsistent with the primary process of the companies to be effective and sustainable.