Whether we're the driver, a passenger, a pedestrian, or cyclist, there are things we can do in each role to help prevent distracted driving-related incidents. And for anyone willing to set the right example, the opportunities to be safe-driving role models for family and community members are limitless. That's the premise of this year's Drive Safely Work Week campaign, which runs October 3-7, 2011. NAFA is proud to support this year's program as we have for the last several years.Drive Safely Work Week encourages businesses to utilize a free campaign toolkit to help educate employees on how to prevent distracted driving. The toolkit features facts on distracted driving, interactive quizzes and tools, daily activities and communication messages, and downloadable posters for the office. More than anything, the campaign seeks to put a face on distracted driving and show how it affects both those in a vehicle and those sharing the road.
The campaign toolkit may be downloaded for free at www.trafficsafety.org. Although the national observance of the campaign takes place each year during the first week of October, the materials are not dated and can be used throughout the year for continued promotion of safe driving practices.
Juan Perez, Junior Vice President of AmeriFleet Transportation, is a member of NAFA's Safety Advisory Council. His company has participated in Drive Safely Work Week for the past three years. "The campaign is very worthwhile," said Perez. "We believe the week long focus on the materials is a simple and easy way to remind our employees and families of the importance and awareness."
AmeriFleet has used the suggestions from Drive Safely Work Week materials as the inspiration behind several events designed to help promote safe and responsible driving within the workplace while providing employees information to take home to share with their families. Some of their activities have included: safe driving quizzes/games, golf cart parking lot road course, seat belt pledge, safety raffles, basic maintenance check on employee's vehicles, and a focused driving pledge.
NAFA will be promoting this year's Drive Safely Work Week in the September issue of Fleet Perspectives, the first Fleet Focus newsletter in October, and via several press releases. We urge all NAFA Members to take a look at the campaign materials and see if they can benefit your organization.
The Drive Safely Work Week campaign has been sponsored by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) since 1996.