Top Driver's Labor Day Pledge Is to Improve Employee Safety

4 September 2000
Top Driver's Labor Day Pledge Is to Improve Employee Safety
     - Leading Driver Training and Education Company Seeks to Reduce the
      Devastating Impact of Vehicle Crashes on Employers and Employees -

    ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Sept. 1 While this weekend
generally marks the unofficial end of summer and serves as a reminder to drive
safely, the true spirit of Labor Day is to celebrate the contributions made by
workers to the growth and prosperity of our country.  In recognition of this
holiday, Top Driver, Inc. (http://www.topdriver.com), the nation's largest and
fastest growing driver training and education company, is intensifying its
efforts to address a growing problem affecting employees, their families and
employers -- driver safety.
    "Employees are the most valued resource in any company and motor vehicle
crashes are the leading cause of death in the workplace," explained Sebastian
Giordano, President and Chief Operating Officer of Top Driver.  "According to
a recent study conducted by AAA, nearly 40% of all US workers are affected by
a motor vehicle crash annually.  And in a 1995 report issued by the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly half of the $53 billion cost to
corporate America of motor vehicle crashes injuries incurred in 1992 resulted
from off-the-job injuries to workers and their families."
    According to Mack Atkinson, Vice President of Corporate Training for Top
Driver, "companies can experience significant cost benefits in the way of
insurance reductions, reduced absenteeism, and increased productivity since
the fringe benefit cost to corporations related to motor vehicle crashes is
staggering."
    Top Driver uses a statistical analysis system to assist companies and
employees in determining what type of curriculum best meets their safety needs
and goals.  Before putting any driver safety program into place, Top Driver
executes a comprehensive safety evaluation, which includes checking employee
driving records, analyzing accident reports, assessing damages from previous
accidents, and reviewing a company's existing fleet safety policy.  Based upon
its in-depth evaluation, Top Driver can identify low-risk or high-risk
drivers, develop company-specific training requirements and policies, and will
recommend and implement the appropriate training program.
    Top Driver offers a variety of training programs for corporations and
their employees, for example the 'Take Control' course, which is designed for
companies that require employees to drive, owned or leased fleet vehicles.  In
addition, defensive driving courses are also available to employees.  However,
the most important aspect to any safety initiative is understanding that
driver training is not a one-time event; Top Driver strongly recommends that
companies continually monitor their drivers and accident data.
    While Top Driver's corporate training division currently services an
average of 100 corporate fleets a year, Top Driver has identified significant
opportunities in this area to assist employers and improve the lives of their
employees, as well as their families.
    Giordano went on to say, "the untenable facts and statistics regarding
motor vehicle crashes bear repeating, over and over again, until definitive
measures are taken to address this problem in a meaningful, results-oriented
manner.  Labor Day, a celebration of all workers, is the opportune time to
bring employee driver training to the forefront.  This is a major health care
crisis and we believe that corporate America needs to be more involved in
protecting its workers and their families."