Event focused on how technology and innovation can enhance safety performance and reduce road accidents

10 October 2019 – Serco Middle East, a leading provider of essential public services, held its 4th ‘Road Safety Awareness Day’ today (October 10th, 2019) in collaboration with RoadSafetyUAE, the knowledge portal for road safety in the UAE, as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme.

The annual event, which took place at Movenpick Hotel, Ibn Battuta Gate in Dubai, aims to raise awareness of road safety across the GCC and serves as an open, broad and accessible networking platform to communicate and share ideas and best practices in road safety. This year’s edition once again attracted high attendance as a strong emphasis was placed on how technology and innovation can enhance safety performance and reduce road accidents.

Speakers from the public and private sector including RoadSafetyUAE, Dubai Police, Emirates Airlines and Serco all expressed the necessity for such events in bringing together more than 150 delegates from local organisations committed to improving road safety. In addition, representatives from Continental, Neutral Fuel, RoadsLink, STS and TomTom showcased various road safety innovations including sustainable fuel methods, best new practices in bus transformation, safety measures in school buses, smart tyre safety for buses and commercial vehicles, and psychometric testing for drivers.

Dubai Police has revealed that distractions while driving resulted in sudden swerving which caused 438 accidents in 2018, with 495 people injured and 59 fatalities. The UAE Federal Target is to reduce road casualties to three per 100,000 by 2021, in line with the national agenda.

Laura Kelly, Assurance Director, Serco Middle East, said: “The dangers that come with road travel are ever-present and we must ensure safety and reduce road traffic accidents by driving responsibly, wearing seatbelts and adhering to rules and laws established by the relevant authorities. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1.3 million people are killed globally every year as a result of vehicular accidents, with a further 20-50 million sustaining non-fatal injuries. While drivers and passengers alike must behave responsibly in order to reduce these worrying statistics, safe alternative modes of transport are also easily accessible such as autonomous vehicles like the Metro – which has continuously met the vision of Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to provide safe and smooth transport for all.”

She added: “At Serco, the safety and well-being of our valued employees is our top priority alongside that of our customers and the public. We are pleased to continue our partnership with RoadSafetyUAE through hosting this unique event, which helps us to ensure the safety of our staff and customers and brings together like-minded companies so we can jointly explore new technologies and innovative solutions that facilitate safety on the roads.”

Thomas Edelmann, Founder and Managing Director, RoadSafetyUAE, said: “Companies such as Serco make a huge difference with their commitment to road safety and spreading awareness; and we are delighted to hold the 4th Road Safety Awareness Day alongside our trusted CSR partner. Serco sets an example of dedication and how to effectively communicate a strong message regarding this important issue to public and private organisations alike. We strive to reduce the number of road traffic fatalities and injuries in the UAE and we look forward to continuing to work with like-minded companies in the months and years ahead as we make a difference by realising this vision.”

Serco Middle East has been pioneering and promoting road safety for several years through various initiatives involving staff and contractors that have contributed to the reduction in road accidents affecting employees. The company further demonstrated its commitment by creating road safety videos for all employees that were also featured during the event.