Every day millions of employees drive to and from work or spend their workday driving. Sadly, about 2,000 workers die each year on the road while commuting or working. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of work-related fatalities among people ages 16 to 24 in the United States.
The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) has designated Oct. 7-11, 2013, as Drive Safely Work Week to encourage employers to adopt safe driving policies and highlight the dangers of being behind the wheel.
NETS is a partnership of private-sector companies—such as AmeriFleet Transportation, Johnson & Johnson and Liberty Mutual Insurance Group—and the federal government’s NIOSH and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The campaign theme this year, “Gear up for safe driving: mind-body-vehicle,” takes a holistic approach to safe driving, explained Sandra Lee, director of Worldwide Fleet Safety for Johnson & Johnson and chairwoman of NETS. The campaign highlights “how being at your physical and mental best, along with the ‘health’ of your vehicle, are all connected in making us safer drivers,” she said.
The campaign and a free online toolkit were developed with the expertise of NETS’ member companies, collectively representing a fleet of more than half a million vehicles.
The Drive Safely Work Week campaign focuses on the importance of preventive measures such as:
- Getting your vision checked regularly.
- Being well-rested and properly fueled.
- Keeping your vehicle in good condition through preventive maintenance.
- Getting the right fit to your vehicle to maximize your field of vision.
The free toolkit provides easy-to-use Web-based resources, including tips on each issue, downloadable graphics, and activities tailored to each day of the campaign.
Since 2010, an average of 3,500 organizations have participated annually, representing 16.5 million employees per year, according to NETS.
Roy Maurer is an online editor/manager for SHRM.
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