DOT joins Network of Employers for Traffic Safety to help drivers get “Back to Basics”

It’s no secret that safety is DOT’s number one priority.  That’s why I’m grateful to organizations like the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) for all they do to promote safety on our nation’s roads.

Each October, NETS hosts Drive Safely Work Week, an opportunity for organizations to help their employees focus on safe driving.  And while the 16th annual Drive Safely Work Week doesn’t begin until October 1, it’s never too early to start thinking about how we can make our roads safer for everyone.

NETS makes available a Drive Safely Work Week toolkit for employers, which is now available at www.trafficsafety.org. Now is the time for employers to download the toolkit and begin thinking about how to mark this important week and help employees focus on driving safely whether they're at work, on vacation, shuttling kids to soccer practice, or just running errands around town.

This year’s campaign theme is “Back to Basics – Your keys to safe driving.”

Many of us think we learned all of the basics in driver's education classes many years ago, and that our years of experience have automatically made us safe drivers. But we can all use a reminder to pay attention to the fundamentals.

The week will kick off by emphasizing the importance of wearing a seat belt on every trip and providing participants with ways to help get those they care about to buckle up as well.

Steering with a clear head – particularly avoiding driver fatigue, driving distraction-free, and parking and backing basics, are other important topics that are covered.

The last day is about fine-tuning the fundamentals, and features tips and activities to help participants avoid some of the most common types of crashes.

The Drive Safely Work Week materials include some great activities that participants can take home and share with their family members and friends. And, if you have teens who are--or will soon be--learning to drive, this year’s “Back to Basics” materials are ideal for use as you coach your new or up-and-coming drivers.

Thanks again to NETS for promoting safe driving habits both on and off the job.  Please download your toolkit today and help us make our roads safer for everyone.

Comments

[Daniel Stoller]

Definitely something I would have introduced to one of my friends in High School. He got into three accidents the first year he had his license...I hope he's become a better driver by now!

[Dr Brimhall]

This sounds like a really great idea to me. Back to basics will ensure that people are being safe.

[Chris]

I'm a truck driver, my father was and my grandfather was. The trucking profession has went down hill over the past twenty or so years. Even with the shortage of jobs,, There are no shortage of truck driving jobs. They just don't pay enough. An alarming trend I see is driving jobs that traditionally paid by the hour are now paying by the load. Drivers pulling loads of gasoline and other dangerous materials are rushing so they can get more loads in when truly they should be taking their time and driving carefully. For most companies it is cheaper for them to work 1 driver up to and above the legal limits then hire 2. My thought on the whole thing is they should all pay by the hour so the overtime factor would encourage them to employ more drivers and work them less hours. Over the road and local alike, hours of service would be less if employers had to pay by the hour.
Thanks