NETS Safe-Driving Campaign Encourages Employees To Get Back To The Basics

PRINCETON, NJ, August 29, 2012 (Press-News.org) In the end, the most valuable resource in any company is its employees. They are the ones who provide the innovation, production, and inspiration to make companies succeed. Smart business leaders recognize that good employees are an investment that should not be overlooked. That's why NAFA Fleet Management Association believes companies should do everything they can to make sure their employees are safe on the road. The use of safe driving materials, such as those provided by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) each year are invaluable tools to help keep safety in proper focus.

NAFA is proud to promote Drive Safely Work Week (October 1-5, 2012) and the annual campaign's toolkit offered by NETS. This year's theme is "Back to Basics -- Your Keys to Safe Driving", a campaign centered around proven safe-driving practices from the NETS board and fleet safety benchmark companies.

This year's 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."

Drive Safely Work Week reminds drivers of simple, yet important tips, such as how to drive distraction-free, wearing a seat belt, safe parking and backing, and recognizing and preventing fatigue-impaired driving. Through 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, the campaign presents the basic fundamentals that will help drivers avoid some of the most common types of crashes.

"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."

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 8,000 organizations participated in Drive Safely Work Week, reaching more than an estimated 25 million employees. The Drive Safely Work Week 2012 toolkit can be downloaded at no cost via the NETS Website at http://www.trafficsafety.org.

NAFA is the world's premier non-profit association for professionals who manage fleets of sedans, public safety vehicles, trucks, and buses of all types and sizes, and a wide range of military and off-road equipment for organizations across the globe. NAFA is the association for the diverse vehicle fleet management profession regardless of organizational type, geographic location or fleet composition. NAFA's Full and Associate Members are responsible for the specification, acquisition, maintenance and repair, fueling, risk management, and remarketing of more than 3.5 million vehicles including in excess of 1.1 million trucks of which 350 thousand are medium- and heavy-duty trucks. For more information visit http://www.nafa.org