Product Overview

Summary: This Road Safety Compliance Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, practical framework for managing vehicle use, driver behaviour, and journey planning in line with Australian WHS and road transport laws. It helps organisations control road-related risks, protect workers and the public, and demonstrate due diligence when employees drive for work—whether in a company vehicle or their own car.

Any time a worker gets behind the wheel for work purposes, your organisation has a legal and moral duty to manage the risks they face on the road. In Australia, road crashes remain one of the leading causes of work-related fatalities, particularly for workers in construction, utilities, community services, sales, and transport. This Road Safety Compliance Safe Operating Procedure sets out a structured, defensible approach to managing those risks across your entire operation. It covers everything from driver licensing and fitness for duty through to vehicle selection, inspection, journey planning, fatigue management, and incident reporting.

The SOP is designed to help businesses translate complex WHS and road transport requirements into day‑to‑day practice. It provides clear expectations for drivers, supervisors, and managers, and embeds road safety controls into routine work planning rather than treating them as an afterthought. By implementing this procedure, organisations can reduce crash risks, improve vehicle condition, standardise driver behaviour, and show regulators, insurers, and clients that road safety is being actively managed as part of their WHS management system.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the likelihood and severity of work-related road crashes through structured risk controls.
• Ensure compliance with WHS duties and relevant Australian road transport legislation for workers who drive for work.
• Standardise expectations for driver behaviour, vehicle use, and journey planning across the organisation.
• Improve vehicle condition and reliability through consistent pre-start checks and maintenance requirements.
• Strengthen incident reporting, investigation, and corrective action processes for road-related events.

Who is this for?

• WHS Managers
• Fleet Managers
• Operations Managers
• Logistics and Transport Coordinators
• Project Managers
• Site Supervisors
• HR Managers
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)
• Company Directors and Officers (PCBU representatives)
• Field Service Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Motor vehicle collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians, or roadside objects
• Driver fatigue and reduced alertness during or between shifts
• Speeding and unsafe driving behaviours under time pressure
• Distraction from mobile phones, in-vehicle devices, and other sources
• Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medications affecting alertness
• Poor vehicle condition, including brakes, tyres, lights, and safety systems
• Adverse weather conditions such as heavy rain, fog, heat, or bushfire smoke
• Driving on remote, rural, or unsealed roads with limited support services
• Loading and load‑restraint failures affecting vehicle stability and control
• Psychosocial risks associated with lone or remote driving (isolation, stress)

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Terms
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Consultation
• 4.0 Legal and WHS Obligations for Work-Related Driving
• 5.0 Driver Eligibility, Licensing and Competency Requirements
• 6.0 Fitness for Duty, Fatigue and Impairment Management
• 7.0 Vehicle Selection, Pre-Start Checks and Maintenance
• 8.0 Journey Planning, Route Selection and Time Management
• 9.0 Safe Driving Rules (Speed, Distraction, Seatbelts and In-Vehicle Technology)
• 10.0 Use of Mobile Phones, GPS and Communication Devices
• 11.0 Load Security, Towing and Use of Specialised Vehicles (if applicable)
• 12.0 Remote, Rural and High-Risk Driving Controls
• 13.0 Emergency Procedures, Breakdowns and Incident Response
• 14.0 Incident Reporting, Investigation and Corrective Actions
• 15.0 Training, Induction and Competency Verification
• 16.0 Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
• 17.0 Document Control and Recordkeeping Requirements

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and harmonised state/territory equivalents)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth and harmonised state/territory equivalents)
• Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and Chain of Responsibility (where applicable)
• Austroads Guidelines for Road Safety and Safe System approach
• AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems
• National Road Safety Strategy (Australia) – Safe Work-Related Driving principles
• Safe Work Australia guidance: Work-Related Driving and Work-Related Fatigue