British Standards Institution (BSI) has awarded certification to fleet operator Mark Group for best practice in road traffic safety management.

Mark Group is the first company in the UK to be independently assessed and certified by the institution with the internationally-recognised standard, BS ISO 39001.

The award identifies companies that meet strict requirements of the road traffic safety (RTS) management system standard.

BS ISO 39001 provides Mark Group, which has more than 2,000 employees and a fleet of nearly 1,000 vehicles, with a platform and structure to offer and demonstrate a commitment to traffic safety, while mitigating risks in the business.

BSI global portfolio manager Elaine Munro said that the consistencies of management offered by an internationally recognised certification scheme have compelling safety, risk management and commercial gains that can help in reducing accidents and fatalities.

"The award identifies companies that meet strict requirements of the road traffic safety (RTS) management system standard."

According to global research, death and serious injuries can be significantly reduced by implementing a holistic safe system approach to RTS.

Mark Group environmental and road safety manager Jamie Bogg said that the management system approach offered by BS ISO 39001 helps the company reduce waste resource and cost in its fleet department, and promote involvement and ownership.

"Working to fully implement BS ISO 39001 has allowed us to take a structured and independent review of our existing provisions, but more importantly, by separating road safety from our health and safety policies and procedures, we have increased focus in what is our highest risk activity, driving for work," Bogg added.

BSI, formed in 1901, is considered to be the world’s first National Standards Body with over 64,000 clients in 147 countries.