2012 Drive Safely Work Week Toolkit Available
This year's week takes place Oct. 1-5 and has the theme “Back to Basics—Your Keys to Safe Driving.”
Getting back to basics is the theme and the message of The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety's 2012 Drive Safely Work Week. While the week takes place Oct. 1-5 and includes a different focus each day (seat belts, fatigue, distractions, parking and backing basics, and fine-tuning the fundamentals to avoid the most common types of crashes), the organization already offers a free online toolkit to help companies improve the driving safety of employees, employees' family members, and the members of the communities where the organizations operate. The theme incorporates proven safe-driving practices from NETS board and fleet safety benchmark member companies.
Nearly 8,000 organizations participated in the weeks in 2010 and 2011 combined, according to NETS. The toolkit was developed by NETS, which is a partnership of private-sector companies and the federal government. NETS and its executive director, Jack Hanley, said the campaign was developed using results from NETS’ 2011 STRENGTH IN NUMBERS fleet safety benchmark study, which involved 500,000 vehicles and nearly 10 billion miles traveled. NETS identified safety issues common to fleet drivers and compared them to crash data for the general population, including teen drivers.
"No matter how many years of experience we have or how much driving we do, there are fundamental behind-the-wheel skills and behaviors that need to be continually practiced," said Hanley ([email protected]). "I am grateful for NETS' members' sense of corporate social responsibility and their willingness to share their resources and expertise with everyone via this campaign."
"Employers are able to reach up to half of the American people, and their support in promoting safe driving habits both on and off the job is critical," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "I applaud NETS for making this toolkit available to companies and organizations across the country, and I hope it serves as a reminder for drivers to keep their eyes on the road, hands on the wheel, and focus on driving."