English
International SOS Foundation joins the Global Road Safety Partnership to reduce road accidents
Amsterdam
The International SOS Foundation and Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) announce a collaboration to help mitigate road accidents faced by business travellers and expatriates working abroad.
The recently released World Health Organisation ‘Global Status Report on Road Safety’ states that 1.24 million people are killed each year on our roads. This equates to more than 3,300 preventable deaths every day. The GRSP works in partnership with governments, businesses and civil society to engage in practical and proven interventions to help reduce accidents and deaths on our roads.
Road accidents feature in the top 5 causes* for medical evacuations of travellers, expatriates and assignees. Arnaud Vaissié, Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO of International SOS and Chairman of the International SOS Foundation states: “The new partnership fits with our emphasis on Duty of Care and the risk mitigation agenda to help international companies and organisations to reduce costly aeromedical evacuations, many of which are entirely preventable. We aim to work closely with the GRSP to study and understand how to reduce road risks and provide proactive education to global workforces.”
As a leading cause of injury and death for employees working abroad, road safety is an important occupational health and safety issue. Emerging markets and remote locations often can present high endemic road risks to business travellers. Arnaud Vaissié adds: “We have found that business travellers who self-drive in lower risk destinations are prone to traffic accidents as well. Travel fatigue and unfamiliarity with local road rules and driving culture can contribute to incidents.”
Actions planned by the International SOS Foundation and GRSP include developing campaigns and training to educate travellers and expatriates. Assessing and applying road risk ratings for countries and conducting research on road risk prevention are also planned.
“Because road travel is such a common everyday activity, there is a psychological tendency to underestimate the risks involved. Most business travellers believe that their travel risks in many countries are mainly related to minor and obvious causes such as stomach upsets and minor injuries. In fact, out of the yearly 1.4 million assistance cases that International SOS manages globally, we observe that strokes, cardiac arrests and road accidents are major causes of serious medical incidents and, therefore, certainly warrant a preventative approach**,” says Dr Neil Nerwich, Group Medical Director Assistance of International SOS.
Patrick Lepercq, Chairman of the GRSP, adds: “We see a real opportunity to share knowledge, road safety research and best practices with the International SOS Foundation. Examining the road risks faced by business travellers and overseas workers is an area in health and safety which can be developed further. The Foundation is well-placed to partner with multinational businesses and governments to help fulfil our mutual goals.”
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* Journal of Travel Medicine, 2011, Can Business Road Travel Be Safe? Jasminka Goldoni, Laestadius, MD, PhD, Anne Gaelle Selod, MD, Jian Ye, MD, PhD, Lennart Dimberg, MD, PhD,† and Anthony G. Bliss, MD.
** From 2009–2010 International SOS data of 5725 aeromedical evacuations and 94,651 at-risk expatriates
Notes to Editors
About the International SOS Group of Companies The International SOS Group of Companies is in the business of saving lives, protecting your global workforce from health and security threats. Wherever you are, we deliver customised health, security risk management and wellbeing solutions to fuel your growth and productivity. In the event of extreme weather, an epidemic or a security incident, we provide an immediate response providing peace of mind. Our innovative technology and medical and security expertise focus on prevention, offering real-time, actionable insights and on-the-ground quality delivery. We help protect your people, your organisation's reputation, as well as support your compliance reporting needs. By partnering with us, organisations can fulfil their Duty of Care responsibilities, while empowering business resilience, continuity and sustainability. Founded in 1985, the International SOS Group, headquartered in London & Singapore, is trusted by 12,000 organisations, including the majority of the Fortune 500, as well as mid-size enterprises, governments, educational institutions and NGOs. 12,000 multicultural medical, security and logistics experts stand with you to provide support & assistance from over 1,000 locations in 90 countries, 24/7, 365 days.
To protect your workforce, we are at your fingertips: www.internationalsos.com
