What is PESV
The PESV (Strategic Road Safety Plan) structures the management of workplace road safety in Colombia. Its purpose is to identify risks associated with travel and organize actions to prevent accidents and reduce their consequences. It is not limited to a traffic document: it requires management decisions, operational coordination, resources, monitoring, and the participation of all individuals involved in the organization’s mobility.
The framework includes Article 12 of Law 1503 of 2011, with its amendments, and the methodology adopted by Resolution 20223040040595 of 2022, incorporated into the compilation of Resolution 20223040045295. When applying it, the current provisions must be consulted and the obligation to implement must be distinguished from the old approach focused on obtaining documentary approval.
Which organizations should analyze their obligation
Article 12 covers public or private entities, organizations, or companies with a fleet of more than ten motorized or non-motorized vehicles, or that employ or manage drivers. Therefore, the evaluation should not be limited to counting vehicles registered as company property. How the company organizes and utilizes transportation is also important.
The methodology defines the scope of the fleet and drivers, considering different affiliation models. Before deciding on applicability, it is advisable to inventory vehicles, activities, and contractual relationships. The absence of a large company-owned fleet does not automatically lead to the conclusion that there is no obligation. Specific scenarios must be compared with the regulations and guidelines of the competent authority.
Levels and diagnosis
The methodology distinguishes basic, standard, and advanced levels according to mission and size, with different criteria for transportation organizations and other activities. The level determines the applicable steps. If the number of vehicles and drivers places the organization at different levels, the methodology stipulates using the highest applicable level.
The diagnosis should describe how journeys occur: routes, schedules, people, vehicles, infrastructure, and operating conditions. This is especially relevant in logistics and delivery, where delivery pressure can influence driving decisions. The analysis should include organizational conditions, without attributing all problems to the individual driver’s behavior.
Controls over operation and vehicles
Controls can address route planning, speed and fatigue management, maintenance, inspections, and personnel training. They should be selected based on risk and applicable steps. A safe driving policy loses effectiveness if service times require non-compliance or if there is no response to detected vehicle defects.
The organization must define how unsafe conditions are reported, who decides to remove a vehicle from service, and how repairs are verified. Maintenance documentation must reflect actual usage and allow for traceability. Controls over third parties require clear coordination mechanisms, avoiding the assumption that a contractual clause alone is sufficient to ensure effective road safety risk management.
Articulation with the SG-SST
The Road Safety Plan (PESV) must be integrated with the system regulated by Decree 1072 of 2015. This allows for the linking of road risks, training, emergencies, research, and improvement without duplicating incompatible records. Integration does not mean eliminating specific requirements: each obligation must remain identifiable and have designated responsible parties and sufficient evidence to demonstrate its implementation.
The annual work plan for the Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) can coordinate common activities with the road safety plan. Resources and deadlines must be defined, as well as indicators that allow for monitoring exposure and results. Any change in routes, fleet, or service must be included in the change management process, especially if it modifies schedules, distances, or driving conditions.
Practical example
In a hypothetical scenario, a service organization uses its own and contracted vehicles to visit clients. Its assessment identifies long travel times and excessively narrow service windows. The team reviews the applicability and level of the Strategic Road Safety Plan (PESV) and proposes adjustments to planning, breaks, maintenance, and incident reporting before expanding operations.
Management assigns responsibilities and verifies that the new timelines can be met safely. Defect reports inform decisions regarding vehicle availability and repairs. When evaluating results, the company considers mileage and exposure conditions, not just the raw number of accidents. This allows it to distinguish genuine improvement from a simple temporary reduction in activity.
Monitoring and investigation
The methodology incorporates indicators, auditing, and improvement according to applicable steps. It is advisable to review not only final results but also unmet controls, pending maintenance, and changes in exposure. A period without incidents does not demonstrate that the system is working if relevant conditions remain uncontrolled or if minor events are not reported.
Accident investigations can provide valuable lessons for work-related incidents, provided that specific reporting and investigation obligations are respected. The analysis should consider the organization, infrastructure, vehicle, and context, in addition to the driver’s immediate actions. The findings should be translated into actionable measures with assigned responsibilities and subsequent verification of their effectiveness.
Common mistakes
Common mistakes include counting only company-owned vehicles, using outdated methodologies, confusing planning with implementation, and reducing the plan to awareness campaigns. Simply storing inspection checklists without addressing defects is also insufficient. The applicable level and requirements should be reviewed when the size, activity, or method of organizing travel changes.
A useful Road Safety Plan (PESV) explains the main road risks, the controls in place, and how their effectiveness is verified. Its value lies in consistent and sustainable operational decisions focused on safety. The documentation serves to coordinate and demonstrate this work, not to replace a file that is only consulted during inspections.
