RYANS SETS THE PACE FOR A SAFER, CLEANER FUTURE

A south west Victorian transport company is setting a new pace in road safety by self-imposing a lower speed limit on its vehicles.

Ryans Transport will progressively set a 90 kilometre per hour limit on its trucks in a move to enhance safety and lessen its environmental impact.

Ryans Managing Director Graham Ryan said the initiative had the support of Victoria Police and VicRoads.

“We have been careful to do our homework in relation to our new, self-imposed 90 kilometre per hour limit because we needed to be sure it would result in genuine safety benefits for our company and for the community and for the sustainability of our business,” Mr Ryan said.

Mr Ryan said research showed a clear and direct correlation between reduced speed and a decreased risk of road crashes.

“A faster speed means not only an increased risk of crashing, but also increased severity if there is a crash.

“We have a duty of care to our employees, their families and to the general public and travelling at a slower speed is just one way we can meet that obligation.”

Mr Ryan said that in addition to the lower speed limit, Ryans would be issuing a company-wide edict that drivers were to use the lesser populated Hamilton Highway in preference to the busy Princes Highway.

This initiative, which was in addition to a policy that prevents Ryans trucks from travelling on the notoriously dangerous Foxhow Road, was also aimed at improving safety for the communities through which Ryans travels.

“The Hamilton Highway is far less populated than the Princes Highway in terms of both traffic and built-up areas,” Mr Ryan said.

“This initiative means we’re keeping away from those built-up areas, school zones and the like as much as we possibly can and we’re keeping away from the bulk of the traffic.”

Mr Ryan said the 90 kilometre per hour speed limit would be progressively rolled-out across the entire Ryans fleet, starting with a batch of new trucks delivered to Ryans’ Warrnambool depot this month that had already been limited to a top speed of 90 kilometres per hour.

The rest of the fleet would be gradually adjusted, where possible, with devices to limit the trucks’ speed.

Mr Ryan said the impetus for the new speed limit had come about through a partnership with truck manufacturer, Scania – a company that shared Ryans’ philosophy.

“After extensive research of truck suppliers, they [Scania] came out on top in terms of safety, environment and economy. ”

“They are a world leader in terms of carbon emissions and their higher quality means longer service intervals and less diesel consumption. ”

“With this partnership in place, we felt we were really ready to move ahead on this.”

Mr Ryan said his customers were beginning to demand a stronger focus on reducing carbon emissions

“Yes, we are looking for the financial gain in all of this – we are a business and we have to remain competitive in the industry. ”

“Not only are our customers focussing on competitive pricing, but more and more of our customers are demanding closer attention to not only safety, but also the environment.”