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NETS Safe-Driving Campaign Encourages Employees to Get Back to Basics


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VIENNA, VA---August 9, 2012: The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety today launched a free comprehensive online toolkit to help companies improve the driving safety of employees, employee family members and the members of the communities in which the organizations operate.

“Back to Basics--Your Keys to Safe Driving”

The 2012 Drive Safely Work Week (DSWW) toolkit was developed by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS), a partnership of private-sector companies and the federal government. The campaign theme this year is "Back to Basics--Your Keys to Safe Driving" and incorporates proven safe- driving practices from NETS board and fleet safety benchmark member companies.

The campaign was developed using results from NETS' 2011 STRENGTH IN NUMBERS fleet safety benchmark study. The study involved a collective fleet of 500,000 vehicles and nearly 10 billion miles traveled. Using the study results and other sources, NETS identified safety issues common to fleet drivers and compared them to crash data for the general population, including teen drivers.

"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. Secretary of Transportation 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."

"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 Jack Hanley, NETS executive director. "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."

The DSWW campaign focuses on the following issues:

  • Buckling up all the time and encouraging others to do the same;
  • Recognizing and preventing fatigue-impaired driving;
  • Driving distraction-free;
  • Safe parking and backing; and
  • Fine-tuning the fundamentals to avoid some of the most common types of crashes.

The free DSWW toolkit provides easy-to-use Web-based resources, including facts and tips on each of the issue areas, downloadable graphics, and activities tailored for each day of the campaign week.

About DSWW

Drive Safely Work Week is observed annually during the first week of October. However, the materials are not dated and may be used anytime throughout the year. In 2010 and 2011 combined, nearly 8000 organizations participated in Drive Safely Work Week, reaching more than an estimated 25 million employees. The DSWW 2012 toolkit can be downloaded at no cost via the NETS Website at Traffic Safety.

About NETS

NETS is a 501(c) 3 organization, a partnership between the U.S. Federal government and the private sector. Board members include Abbott, AmeriFleet Transportation, Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, The Coca-Cola Company, Johnson & Johnson, Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, Monsanto Company, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Group, and UPS. In addition, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health serve as federal liaisons to the board of directors. Established in 1989, NETS is dedicated to improving the safety of employees, their families, and members of the communities in which they live and work by preventing traffic crashes that occur on-and-off the job. NETS has sponsored DSWW annually since 1996.