Case Studies

This case study examines a Safe Vehicles initiative in which a large public-sector fleet operator mandated minimum safety specifications — 5-star ANCAP ratings, autonomous emergency braking, lane-support systems, and intelligent speed assistance — across its light-vehicle and heavy-vehicle procurement. The intent was to use fleet purchasing power to pull safer vehicles into the national fleet faster than the natural replacement cycle, protecting both occupants and other road users.

The rollout combined a revised procurement policy, driver familiarisation with new in-vehicle technologies, and telematics-based monitoring of harsh-event and speed data. Within three years the share of 5-star vehicles in the fleet rose sharply, harsh-braking and speeding events fell, and at-fault crash costs declined. The case study highlights the leverage that large fleets — including heavy-vehicle operators — have over vehicle-safety outcomes, and offers a transferable procurement-policy template for other jurisdictions and corporate fleets.