We ask all road users to think about how they can actively protect, not just themselves and their passengers, but all those who are using our roads.

With a fleet of nearly 5,000 vehicles, travelling more than 5 million kilometres per month, our business is heavily invested in ensuring safe driving and vehicle safety to protect our people, communities and all those who use road networks.

This commitment to better driving is driven by a culture of accountability, supporting technology and our internal safety programs - underpinned by Ventia’s management system, practices and protocols. Over the past few years our Yarra Valley Water team has taken on this collaborative approach to driver improvement, which has seen 5-star drivers increase across their team by more than 280 percent. 

Almost two years into their refocused approach, the team continues to achieve maintain high levels of safe driving.

There are times when data can tell you a story, generally though it’s what you do with that data that ensures real impact.

Ventia’s in vehicle monitoring system (IVMS) telematics system allows real time driver coaching with in-vehicle feedback that helps to develop safer driving behaviour.

In 2023, the Yarra Valley Water project team and leaders engaged in a collaborative approach to driving improvement right across their contract with the aim of lifting the standards of driving to levels they had not had before.

Empowering Drivers Through Transparency and Feedback

The team did this by adopting Ventia’s culture of personal accountability, a commitment to safe driving excellence. This meant not only spending time looking at and analysing data individually and as a team, but also having regular coaching conversations and feedback opportunities. 

Managers and safety experts went through the performance data individually and in fine detail, and the relevant employees were invited to share feedback on the results. 

This open dialogue gave drivers a voice in their progress and also allowed the team to work through any issues within the data itself - such as where a speed limit may have been changed but not yet reflected in the data set.

This two-way communication not only improved the accuracy of the IVMS system but also fostered a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Safer Roads, Stronger Performance

The impact of this initiative has been significant as well as sustainable and included the following:

• Improved Driver Behaviour: IVMS data showed a marked improvement in driving scores across the board. Between late 2023 and early 2025 5-star drivers across the team increased by more than 280% 
• Data Accuracy Enhanced: Driver feedback led to corrections in system data, such as speed zone updates.
• Sustained Performance: The team not only improved their performance in the short term but the change has been sustainable and has been maintained across the board even with an increase in work volumes

By using data not just as a monitoring tool but as a catalyst for open dialogue and continuous improvement, the team was able to drive meaningful and continuous improvement. The result was not only better driving performance and more accurate data, but also a stronger culture of accountability, trust, and sustained performance. 

Ventia SHEQ Manager Daniel de Haan said that the sustainability of the change has been one of the most satisfying outcomes.