NETS Supports the Decade of Action for Road Safety, 2011-2020

VIENNA, VA--May 11, 2011: The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) is one of 50 core members of the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration, representing a wide range of governments, non-profit organizations and private sector companies. They have come together to plan and support the Decade of Action, 2011-2020, an initiative dedicated to global road safety.

The Decade of Action will launch on May 11, with ceremonies held throughout the world, including New York City and Washington, D.C.

Every year, almost 1.3 million people are killed worldwide due to traffic crashes. That number is projected to increase to 1.9 million by the year 2020. The Decade of Action for Road Safety has a goal of stabilizing and then reducing the level of worldwide road fatalities by bringing more attention to safety at regional, national, and global levels.

"Almost all of NETS members have significant operations beyond U.S. borders. In fact, many are headquartered outside the U.S. NETS encourages the private sector to engage not only their company drivers and employees with driver training and education initiatives, but also to extend the reach of these programs to employee family members and to the communities where the company operates--no matter where that may be in the world,�?? said Jack Hanley, NETS Executive Director.

The Decade of Action plan outlines steps toward improving the safety of roads and vehicles, enhancing emergency medical services and improving road safety management. It also calls for increased legislation and enforcement on using helmets, seat-belts and child restraints and avoiding drinking and driving and speeding. Currently, only 15 percent of countries have an infrastructure that addresses all of these factors. NETS is committed to working with organizations around the world to reduce the gaps in these areas. To support the Road Safety Decade of Action, organizations can plan their own events or join national or local events. See the official website for the Decade of Action, hosted by the World Health Organization, for more information.

NETS is a public/private partnership dedicated to improving the safety and health of employees, their families, and members of the communities in which they live and work by preventing traffic crashes that occur both on- and off-the-job. NETS board member companies are recognized in the U.S. and around the world for their dedication and leadership in advancing road safety. For example, earlier this month, Johnson & Johnson, a NETS board member since 2008, was the recipient of the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award, presented for the company's long-standing commitment to advancing road safety.

In addition to Johnson & Johnson, Abbott, AmeriFleet Transportation, Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, The Coca-Cola Company, Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, Monsanto Company, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Group, and UPS comprise the NETS board. Representatives from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are federal government liaisons to NETS' board. For more information on NETS, visit the organization's website at Traffic Safety.