South Africa’s premier road safety recognition initiative is officially open for 2026. Entries into the Fleet Safety Awards are now live. The awards have grown steadily since their inception in 2022, and this year’s edition promises to be the most impactful and significant yet.
The announcement marks the fifth year of an initiative that is a cornerstone of the fleet and mobility industry’s commitment to reducing road fatalities. South Africa’s road fatality rate remains well above the global average, and the Fleet Safety Awards exist to shine a spotlight on the fleet operators, managers, and drivers quietly working to change that reality.
MasterDrive CEO, Eugene Herbert, says the 2026 Awards reflect the continued evolution of the initiative. “The Fleet Safety Awards is one of the leading initiatives promoting safer roads in South Africa. Year-on-year, it raises the bar, recognising the organisations and individuals turning road safety from a box-ticking exercise into a demonstration of their genuine commitment to saving lives.”
One of the most notable changes for 2026 is an expanded Sustainability Innovation Award. “Previously limited to the mobility sector, the category now welcomes any product, service, or solution that enables fleet operators to achieve more sustainable outcomes — regardless of the industry it originates from.
“This broadens the field considerably, opening the door to innovators from across the business landscape. The full category lineup spans individual driver recognition, organisational excellence, fleet management leadership, bus operations, and truck stop development, among others. We cannot emphasise enough that the Awards are not reserved for large corporations or industry heavyweights.”
Any organisation that operates a fleet and is committed to improving its road safety record is encouraged to enter. “If road safety is a priority for you, this is your platform — irrespective of whether you operate a small regional fleet or a large national corporation.”
Cash and other prize money exceeds R250 000, and the redesigned entry portal makes the submission process simpler and more intuitive, while also providing judges with the structured information needed to make well-informed decisions. A refreshed judging panel combines returning faces with new additions, bringing both experience and fresh perspective to the evaluation process.
In 2025, organisations from mining, logistics, academia, passenger transport, and the corporate sector were recognised at the awards ceremony in front of more than 200 guests and an audience of 74 000 across the campaign.
Herbert’s message to prospective entrants is direct: “Every effort committed to promoting road safety makes a difference and should be recognised. Be part of that legacy.”
Entries are open now at https://fleetsafetyawards.co.za/site/
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