Achieving Road Safety Through Implementation of Enhanced Vehicle Safety Requirements (Re-Defining Vehicle Critical Safety Elements)

Driving-related incidents have historically been the leading cause of fatalities in the oil and gas industry, accounting for approximately one in every three deaths (IOGP Report 365). With driver error contributing to over 70% of major road transport incidents, managing driver behavior and road transport risk has become a top priority across the industry. Road safety management remains complex due to the interplay of numerous risk factors, driver competence and condition, vehicle suitability, road conditions, and environmental influences. While many controls traditionally used to manage these risks are administrative in nature and thus less effective according to the hierarchy of controls, technological advancements have introduced more robust engineering and system-based solutions. Key vehicle engineering controls like Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Rollover Prevention Systems (RPS), and Active Fatigue Detection Device (AFDD) linked with IVMS now work in synergy to reduce both the likelihood and severity of incidents. These systems offer both proactive and reactive interventions, mitigating human error and enhancing recovery when incidents do occur. This paper outlines how Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) has embraced vehicle technology advancements as part of its integrated road safety strategy. Through the redefinition of vehicle safety specifications and a structured implementation plan, PDO has driven significant improvement in its transport safety performance. Key to this transformation has been strong collaboration with internal and external stakeholders and the enforcement of updated vehicle standards. It is worth highlighting that PDO's road safety Improvement program, called "Darb Al Salama," considers safe vehicles as one of the key safety pillars, alongside safe drivers, safe roads, and enablers such as digitalization and safety management. Launched in 2021, the Darb Al Salama program has successfully led to improvements in vehicle safety during this period. Since the introduction of Darb Al Salama and update of the road safety standard in early 2022, vehicle safety rejuvenation with new contemporary features has risen from 2% to 36%, with a target of reaching 100% by 2030. Furthermore, severe motor vehicle incidents (MVIs) linked to vehicle-related causes have decreased by 62% between 2021 and 2025. This paper shares insights into PDO's journey, the challenges faced, and the tangible impact of integrating advanced vehicle technologies on road transport safety in the oil and gas sector.