Archive for category: NETS News

Vienna, Va. – The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) is calling on leaders of companies and organizations to adopt elements of road safety for all employees—not just business drivers— as a core component of the organization’s safety culture. NETS today launched a free comprehensive online tool kit to help initiate or strengthen employee safety programs by including road safety.

The human and economic costs of traffic crashes is significant. According to a recent report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the annual economic cost of crashes is $277 billion or nearly $900 for each person living in the U.S. With nearly 50 percent of the U.S. population part of the workforce, extending road safety programs to all employees would make driving safer throughout the U.S. and lower the cost of crashes.

The 2014 Drive Safely Work Week^™ (DSWW) tool kit, themed “Driving your safety culture home,” builds the case for executive leadership to adopt safe-driving as a part of the corporate safety culture and provides low-cost steps to engage employees with a starting point focused on seat belts and mobile device use while driving. The campaign was developed by NETS, a partnership of private-sector companies and the federal government, using the expertise of NETS’ member companies. NETS members collectively represent a fleet of more than 600,000 vehicles that travel in excess of 11 billion miles globally each year.

“Whether driving for work, commuting to and from work or running errands after the workday is done, the time spent behind the wheel is very likely the most dangerous part of an employee’s day,” said Joseph McKillips, Sr. Manager, Commercial Program Support, Global Environment, Health, and Safety for Abbott and Chairman of NETS. “Addressing road safety in the workplace for all employees is the right thing to do and beneficial to an organization’s bottom line.”

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death on the job and the second-leading cause of unintentional fatal injuries off the job, according to the National Safety Council’s latest Injury Facts® report.

“Traffic crashes are a common yet highly preventable issue for employers, and building a safety culture can be a lengthy and challenging process,” added McKillips. “The Drive Safely Work Week^™ campaign provides tools and resources specifically designed to engage leadership to help employers take meaningful action.”

The free DSWW tool kit is available for download via the NETS website and provides easy-to-use Web-based resources that include campaign graphics and materials targeted to leadership as well as the employee-base.

About DSWW

Drive Safely Work Week^™ is October 6-10, 2014 and is observed annually during the first week of October. However, the materials are not dated and may be used anytime throughout the year. In recent years, an average of 3500 organizations have participated annually, representing 16.5 million employees per year. The 2014 DSWW toolkit may be downloaded at no cost via the NETS Website at www.trafficsafety.org.

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, Shell International Petroleum Company 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 is a member of the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration, which provides guidance to the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 global initiative. NETS has sponsored DSWW annually since 1996. For more information on NETS, visit www.trafficsafety.org or contact jhanley@trafficsafety.org.

Vienna, Va. – To help parents coach teens in developing the skills to be safe drivers, the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) and Liberty Mutual Insurance have joined forces to release an electronic edition of The Novice Driver’s Road Map: An 8-Step Guide for Parents® (eNDRM). The new guide is available now as a free download from the NETS website.

The eNDRM provides an easy-to-follow curriculum for parents or adult coaches to guide teens in the practice needed to become safe, focused drivers and licensed in nearly all states. The interactive electronic guide is built around a series of eight drives that increase in complexity. Each includes a checklist of practice skills along with a set of detailed instructions and space to add notes. The practice sessions progress from driving in an empty parking lot to driving at night and in inclement weather. A log is included to track practice hours that updates with the time accrued after each entry, a useful tool to assist with graduated driver licensing requirements.

“NETS is grateful to Liberty Mutual for providing the resources to re-release the Novice Drivers Road Map® in an updated, electronic format,” said Jack Hanley, executive director of NETS. “This support enables NETS to make the publication available to parents everywhere free-of-charge.”

Since its initial introduction, more than 50,000 printed copies of The Novice Driver’s Road Map® have been distributed, primarily through employers.

“Over the past decade, Liberty Mutual has partnered with several national organizations to provide parents with the best available tools to help their teens become safer drivers,” said Amy Leddy, Senior Category Manager of Corporate Procurement for Liberty Mutual Insurance. “Our teen driving research shows that parents have a very strong influence over their teen’s behavior behind the wheel, both by having open dialogue and modeling safe driving. Tools such as The Novice Drivers Road Map® give parents another opportunity to have a conversation about safe driving habits and to stop unsafe behaviors before they take hold.”

Developed and reviewed by a team of experts and tested by teens and parents, The Novice Driver’s Road Map® has been updated since its original release to include information on the latest challenges facing young drivers, specifically the dangers of distracted driving. A Coach’s Game Book™ is included that provides tips on how to be a good role model, establishing rules and other vital information on the learning-to-drive process. Liberty Mutual and NETS worked with Standard Register to create a web enabled, electronic version of the Road Map and Game Book.

The eNDRM is available for free download via the NETS website at https://trafficsafety.org/e-novice-drivers-road-map-available.

About NETS

NETS is a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 organization, a partnership between the U.S. Federal government and the private sector. Board of Directors members include Abbott, AmeriFleet Transportation, Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, The Coca-Cola Company, Johnson & Johnson, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Monsanto Company, Nationwide Insurance, Shell International Petroleum, B.V. and UPS. In addition, NETS’ Board of Directors includes federal liaisons from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Established in 1989, NETS is dedicated to preventing traffic crashes that occur on and off the job.

About Liberty Mutual Insurance

“Helping people live safer, more secure lives” since 1912, Boston-based Liberty Mutual Insurance is a diversified global insurer and the third largest property and casualty insurer in the U.S. based on 2012 direct premiums written, as reported by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Liberty Mutual Insurance also ranks 81st on the Fortune 100 list of largest corporations in the U.S. based on 2012 revenue. As of December 31, 2013, Liberty Mutual Insurance had $121.2 billion in consolidated assets, $102.2 billion in consolidated liabilities and $38.5 billion in annual consolidated revenue. Liberty Mutual Insurance offers a wide range of insurance products and services, including personal automobile, homeowners, workers compensation, property, commercial automobile, general liability, global specialty, group disability, reinsurance and surety. Liberty Mutual Insurance (www.libertymutualinsurance.com) employs over 50,000 people in more than 900 offices throughout the world.

VIENNA, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) kicked off today its national Drive Safely Work Week^™ (DSWW) campaign. More than 2500 organizations representing approximately 13 million employees are poised to take part in the week that promotes safe-driving education and awareness materials for all employees and their families. This year’s campaign is recognized October 7-11.

Motor vehicle-related incidents remain the leading cause of workplace fatalities in the United States. Transportation incidents accounted for more than 2 out of every 5 fatal work injuries in 2012, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

This year’s campaign theme is “Gear Up for Safe driving- Mind · Body · Vehicle.” Campaign materials illustrate how maintenance of mind, body and vehicle are all connected and essential components to being a safe driver. Resources, tips and activities are provided to help drivers be at their best behind the wheel. The campaign was developed using the expertise of NETS’ member companies, collectively representing a fleet of more than half a million vehicles that travel in excess of 10 billion miles globally each year.

“There is a natural, yet potentially over-looked connection between wellness and road safety,” said Sandra Lee, NETS Chair and Director of Worldwide Fleet Safety for Johnson & Johnson. “This year’s campaign highlights that connection and offers practical steps that can be taken to improve both physical and mental fitness for drivers of all ages.”

The DSWW campaign focuses on the importance of issues that include:

• Regular vision screening;
• Being well-rested and properly fueled for sustained energy;
• Keeping your vehicle healthy through preventative maintenance; and
• Getting the right ergonomic fit to your vehicle for maximized field of vision, comfort and well-being.

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. Over the past three years, an average of 3500 organizations has participated annually, representing 16.5 million employees per year. The DSWW 2013 toolkit can be downloaded in English and Spanish at no cost via the NETS Website at www.trafficsafety.org.

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, Shell International Petroleum Company 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. For more information on NETS, visit www.trafficsafety.org or contact jhanley@trafficsafety.org.

Contacts

Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS)
Jack Hanley
jhanley@trafficsafety.org

Drive Safely Work Week^™ 2013 toolkits available now at no cost at www.trafficsafety.org/drivesafelyworkweek

Vienna, Va. — Taking a systematic approach to safe driving that includes the roles of the mind, body and vehicle, the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS), today launched a free comprehensive online toolkit to help employers improve the safety of employees, employee family members and their communities.

The 2013 Drive Safely Work Week^™ (DSWW) toolkit was developed by NETS, a partnership of private-sector companies and the federal government. The campaign theme this year is “Gear up for safe driving: Mind · Body · Vehicle.” Campaign materials illustrate how maintenance of mind, body and vehicle are all connected and essential components to being a safe driver. Actionable steps are provided to help drivers be at their best behind the wheel.

The campaign was developed using the expertise of NETS’ member companies, collectively representing a fleet of more than half a million vehicles that travel in excess of 10 billion miles globally each year.

“Driving is a physical task that requires mental focus,” said Sandra Lee, Director of Worldwide Road Safety for Johnson & Johnson and chairperson of NETS. “A driver’s mind and body in combination with the vehicle work together as a system. This year’s campaign outlines simple steps that anyone can take to ensure every component of that system is well cared for and that drivers are at their best behind the wheel.”

The DSWW campaign focuses on the importance of issues that include:

• Regular vision screening;
• Being well-rested and properly fueled;
• Keeping your vehicle healthy through preventative maintenance; and
• Getting the right fit to your vehicle for maximized field of vision and sustained energy.

The free DSWW toolkit trafficsafety.org/drivesafelyworkweek/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 — the week of Oct.  7-11 in 2013. However, the materials are not dated and may be used anytime throughout the year. Over the past three years, an average of 3500 organizations have participated annually, representing 16.5 million employees per year. The DSWW 2013 toolkit can be downloaded at no cost via the NETS Website at trafficsafety.org/.

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, Shell International Petroleum Company 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. For more information on NETS, visit www.trafficsafety.org or contact jhanley@trafficsafety.org

# # #

Contact: Jack Hanley Executive Director, NETS 314-680-3293 jhanley@trafficsafety.org

Sobel: Much has been accomplished, but so much more remains to be done. We shall do it in our children’s memory and in their honor.

WASHINGTON (May 30, 2013) – Road crashes remain the single greatest killer of Americans traveling abroad, said Rochelle Sobel, president of the Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT), in remarks at its annual fund-raising event in the nation’s capital on May 20.

“Poor roads, unroadworthy vehicles, irresponsible driver behaviors and inadequate enforcement continue to shatter dreams and destroy lives,” said Sobel, who founded ASIRT in 1995 following the death of her son, Aron Sobel, and 22 other passengers from a bus crash in Turkey.

The gala theme, Global Crossroads to a Safe Future, builds on the steady momentum of change established by the international and U.S. road safety communities, including the United Nation’s General Assembly, which declared 2011-2020 as the Decade of Action for Road Safety. Five honorees were recognized at the gala for their individual and organizational efforts to advance ASIRT’s mission of improving global road safety.

“If we achieve our goal, we will save 5 million lives and prevent 50 million injuries,” Sobel said. “Nearly 100 countries have launched the Decade of Action for Road Safety, each committing its government to take evidence based and proven steps to improve road safety. ASIRT is proud of the pivotal role it plays in these and many other milestones.”

“There are many reasons to be hopeful. Much has been accomplished, but so much more remains to be done,” Sobel added. “We shall do it in our children’s memory and in their honor.”

U.S. Rep Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) received ASIRT’s Congressional Leadership in Global Road Safety Award. In his opening remarks Van Hollen said fatalities caused by road crashes are preventable and lives can be saved if both the international and U.S. focus their attention on the issue.

“One person can change the world. ASIRT demonstrates that this is true,” added Van Hollen, co-chairman of the Congressional Caucus on Global Road Safety. “It’s a tribute to ASIRT that we are making progress on this issue, and that we are beginning to see the results.”

Jack Hanley accepted ASIRT’s Global Leadership Award on behalf of the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS), which is an employer-led partnership dedicated to improving the safety and health of employees by preventing traffic crashes on and off the job.

“NETS is absolutely honored to stand side by side with ASIRT,” said Hanley, executive director of NETS.

Douglas Greenhaus, chief regulatory counsel of environment, health and safety for the National Automobile Dealers Association, received ASIRT’s Industry Leadership Award.

“In a world of limited resources, the focus must be on strategies designed to reduce road deaths and injuries in the most cost effective manner possible,” Greenhaus said. “This is exactly what ASIRT is doing.”

David and Shadia Blanchard received the Aron Sobel Guardian Award for their work to improve pedestrian safety in Egypt. They founded the Egyptian Society for Road Safety, which built a pedestrian safety bridge in the country after their daughter was killed at a crossing.

“The three E’s – engineering, education and enforcement,” are key components to improve the safety of pedestrians on roadways across the globe, Mr. Blanchard said. Inspired by the work of ASIRT, Mrs. Blanchard spoke about her daughter for the first time since her death nine years ago.

Contact: Julie F. Rosenbaum Skolnick

Director, Development and Marketing

240-249-0100;  jskolnick@asirt.org

ASIRT-Association for Safe International Road Travel

12320 Parklawn Dr.

Rockville, MD  20852-1726

www.asirt.org

asirt@asirt.org

VIENNA, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Traffic-related fatalities each year exceed 1.2 million worldwide and vulnerable road users—pedestrians, motorcyclists and bicyclists—account for 50% of the total. Traffic-related injuries and fatalities represent the ninth leading cause of death or injury worldwide. Left unchecked, the expected doubling of vehicles globally will make traffic-related deaths and injuries the fifth leading cause by 2030. Significant, intentional and effective intervention by the public, private and civil society sectors is needed to slow the pace of pedestrian injuries and fatalities.

In response to the risks to pedestrians worldwide, the World Health Organization has designated May 6-12 as Global Road Safety Week, focused on pedestrian safety. NETS supports this campaign and encourages all employers to participate in promoting pedestrian safety to employees, employees’ families and within the communities where the employees live and work.

“We are all pedestrians. When you think about it, every trip begins and ends on foot whether we drive, cycle or walk to our destinations,” said Sandra Lee, Director, Worldwide Fleet Safety, for Johnson & Johnson and NETS Chairperson. “There is no single measure to adequately address the range of risks to pedestrians across various settings. However, we can all play a role day to day. For example, Driving at safe speeds when we’re the driver or staying focused on our environment and increasing our visibility to others when we’re on foot are concrete actions that we can take to promote pedestrian safety. It’s my hope that all employers recognize the importance of pedestrian safety and participate in Global Road Safety Week.”

Visit the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration’s website for more information from the World Health Organization on Global Road Safety Week and for a tool kit for engaging employees, employees’ families and the communities where the employees live and work.

About NETS

NETS is a 501(c)3 organization, a partnership between the U.S. Federal government and the private sector. The Board of Directors 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, Shell International Petroleum Company and UPS, as well as federal liaisons from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

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. For more information on NETS, visit www.trafficsafety.org or contact jhanley@trafficsafety.org.

Contacts

NETS
Jack Hanley
jhanley@trafficsafety.org

521,000 vehicles, 9.8 billion miles of travel yield road safety best practices

WASHINGTON, D.C. —The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) 2012 road safety benchmark study revealed that the safest fleets have written policies restricting the use of mobile devices and check mobile phone records after all collisions, regardless of severity. Traffic crashes remain the number one cause of workplace death and injury, costing employers in excess of $60 billion annually, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The 2012 STRENGTH IN NUMBERS^®™ road safety benchmarking study is the largest examination of fleet vehicle safety ever conducted by the organization. The latest study involved a collective fleet of 521,000 vehicles and 9.8 billion miles traveled. Nearly 50 percent of participating companies were in the Fortune 500.

Other road safety practices found by the study to be common among the companies with the lowest fleet crash-rates include:

• Tracking  completions of on-going driver training on a road safety scorecard
• Conducting commentary drives (ride-alongs) with new-hires and high-risk drivers
• Communicating road safety messages via senior-management presentations at meetings.

All survey responses were reported anonymously, with a number assigned to each company to rank its fleet against other study participants.

NETS’ annual STRENGTH IN NUMBERS^® road safety benchmark study includes the collection of miles driven and collisions by type of vehicle and by country. Injury data are collected for the USA and the UK. Respondents also are surveyed on more than twenty-five road safety program elements. Examples include: cell phone policies, training and post-crash review processes and the use of in-vehicle monitoring technology. NETS members, representing the pharmaceutical, electric utilities, oil and gas, insurance, food and beverage and other industries, meet annually to discuss the benchmark results and other key road safety topics.

“Through this benchmarking process, we’re able to learn about  common elements among the leading companies and also have the opportunity to network and discuss specific challenges and share successes with other road safety professionals,” said Sandra Lee, Director of Worldwide Road Safety for Johnson & Johnson, and Chair of the NETS Board of Directors. “This is what makes the STRENGTH IN NUMBERS^® benchmarking study such an invaluable process.”

About STRENGTH IN NUMBERS^®™

The STRENGTH IN NUMBERS^® road safety benchmarking study brings together socially responsible companies in a collaborative spirit prepared to compare findings and share what they’ve learned. The program is for all types of companies and organizations— large or small, U.S. or global, public or private. Participants collect standardized data over a 12-month period. Once analyzed, the resulting benchmark report shows how a company compares in terms of crash frequencies taking into consideration road safety policies, driver training programs, crash review practices and more. Members use the annual benchmark report’s results to improve their road safety performance. For more information on the STRENGTH IN NUMBERS^® fleet benchmark program or to become a participant, visit the NETS website at www.trafficsafety.org

About NETS

NETS is a 501(c)3 organization, a partnership between the U.S. Federal government and the private sector. The Board of Directors 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, Shell International Petroleum Company, B.V. and UPS, as well as federal liaisons from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). 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. For more information on NETS, visit www.trafficsafety.org or contact jhanley@trafficsafety.org.

Vienna, Va.— Maggie Cole, Director of Environmental, Safety & Health (ESH) for Monsanto and Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) board of directors’ member, was named Fleet Financials magazine’s 2012 Fleet Executive of the Year. Cole is responsible for Monsanto’s Global Vehicle Safety and Global Off-The-Job Safety programs, as well as U.S. Commercial ESH.

“A great fleet executive creates a vision, articulates the vision, and empowers their team members to implement the strategies to achieve the vision,” said Mike Antich, editor of Fleet Financials Magazine. “These qualities are demonstrated in Maggie’s leadership at Monsanto, making her an outstanding choice for this year’s award.”

“I am honored to accept the award on behalf of Monsanto.  I am very proud of the passion and focus Monsanto continues to place on improving road and occupant safety for our employees, as well as our families, the communities where we live and operate, and our customers,” Cole said.

According to Cole, safety is, and always has been, a central value within Monsanto.   In fact, the organization emphasizes the importance of extending its safety culture and road safety training beyond its company drivers with its Global Off-the-Job safety program.

“Safety is a core Monsanto value and we see it as a corporate responsibility to share that value beyond the workplace,” said Cole. “Monsanto’s Global Off-the-Job Safety program is the formal networking and sharing of its principal safety culture worldwide.  A majority of the outreach efforts are focused on road safety, such as driving skills, driver behavior, teen driving and sharing the road.”

Cole has a total of eight employees on her team who she credits with helping make Monsanto’s road safety program so strong, including Vehicle Safety Project Manager Brenda Cockrell, Global Vehicle Safety Lead Jeff Castillo, Global Off-The-Job Safety Lead Mark Schuerman, and U.S. Commercial ESH Lead Ken Mathias.

Sponsored by CEI and Fleet Financials Magazine since 2001, the Fleet Executive of the Year Award was presented to Cole at the recent NAFA Fleet Management Association conference. Cole will be the keynote speaker at the Road Safety Conference sponsored by Automotive Fleet in Schaumberg, Ill. May 22-23 and will also be featured on the cover of the July/August issue of Fleet Financials Magazine with an in-depth article discussing her achievements at Monsanto.

Monsanto has been a board member of NETS since 2004 and has participated in the NETS STRENGTH IN NUMBERS road safety benchmark program since 2007.  Established in 1989, NETS and its board of director companies are recognized in the U.S. and around the world for their dedication and leadership in advancing employer-led road safety.  Monsanto is joined on the NETS board by Abbott, AmeriFleet Transportation, Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, The Coca-Cola Company, Johnson & Johnson, Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Group, and UPS.  Representatives from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are board member liaisons to the federal government.  NETS is a 501(c)3 public/private partnership dedicated to improving the safety and health of employees, their families, and members of the communities in which they live and work by preventing traffic crashes that occur both on- and off-the-job.  For more information on NETS, visit the organization’s website at www.trafficsafety.org.

Vienna, Va. — The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) says that frequent “ride-alongs” with employee drivers to observe and discuss driving habits is a best practice of leading road safety programs.  That same concept can be applied to parents of teen drivers.

To help parents guide teens in developing the skills to be safe, focused drivers, NETS has announced the release of the new Novice Driver’s Road Map: An 8-Step Guide for Parents.  NETS unveiled the new edition of The Novice Driver’s Road Map in conjunction with National Teen Driver Safety Week, Oct. 16-22.

A study released last week by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety concluded that parents don’t spend enough time supervising teens’ practice time behind the wheel.  “Spending time with teens behind the wheel can be a stressful, intimidating experience for parents,” said Bill Windsor, NETS Chair and Associate Vice President of Nationwide Insurance. “Using the collective experience of company fleet managers, The Novice Driver’s Road Map provides parents with a structured approach to coaching their teens in a variety of driving environments.”

The Novice Driver’s Road Map (NDRM) provides an easy-to-follow curriculum for parents to guide their teens in the practice that is not only needed to be a safe, focused driver, but in most states, is also required to be licensed.  The guide is built around a series of eight coached drives that increase in complexity and include a checklist of practice skills for each drive along with a set of guided instructions.  The practice sessions progress from driving in a parking lot to driving at night and in inclement weather.

The NDRM is an ideal way for employers to become engaged in teen driving outreach. Companies interested in pursuing this can contact NETS to learn about NDRM sponsorship opportunities. Beyond offering sponsorships to employers, NETS will offer the NDRM to high schools at a special rate to enable student groups to use it as a fundraiser for safe-driving outreach programs.  Driver trainers, licensing agencies, highway safety organizations and individual parents can also benefit from the NDRM’s parent-teen driving practice plan.

About the NDRM

Developed and reviewed by a team of experts and tested by teens and parents, The Novice Driver’s Road Map has been updated and revised to address the findings of recent research on teen driving crashes and to provide guidance on the challenges of today’s driving environment.  A Coach’s Game Book is included that provides tips on how to be a good role model, establishing rules and other vital information on the learning-to-drive process.  The guide is presented in a well-organized packet—including a practice log and place for notes—that fits neatly in the glove compartment. For more information on ordering the packet, including volume discounts, contact NETS at NETS@trafficsafety.org.

About NETS

NETS is a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 organization, a partnership between the U.S. Federal government and the private sector.  Board of Directors members include Abbott, AmeriFleet Transportation, Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, The Coca-Cola Company, Johnson & Johnson, Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, Monsanto Company, Nationwide Insurance, and UPS.  In addition, NETS’ Board of Directors includes federal liaisons from the National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Established in 1989, NETS is dedicated to preventing traffic crashes that occur on and off the job.

Vienna, VA.  The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) today announced the 2011 Drive Safely Work Week^™ (DSWW) tool kit is now available in Spanish. The Spanish-language translation was made possible through NETS’ partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA.)

Drive Safely Work Week^™ will be nationally recognized October 3-7.  This year’s campaign theme is “Focus360°…Getting there safely is everyone’s business.”  The free tool kit is available to download for a limited time from NETS’ Website at www.trafficsafety.org.

“Focused driving resonates in any language,” said Jack Hanley, NETS Executive Director. “NETS strives to reach as many employees as possible with the safe-driving messages of the DSWW campaign and we are grateful to NHTSA for helping to further the campaign’s reach.”

The 2011 DSWW tool kit was developed by NETS  in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation.  The DSWW materials are designed to support employer efforts to initiate or sustain a corporate mobile device policy and to increase awareness on behaviors that contribute to distracted driving-related incidents. The campaign’s materials go beyond what drivers can do to reduce distracted driving by taking into account the roles and responsibilities of being a safe passenger, pedestrian and cyclist.

The tool kit provides easy-to-use Web-based resources to support targeted activities for each day of the campaign week. In addition, the materials encourage employers to position their organizations as corporate role models within the communities in which they operate.

About Drive Safely Work Week^™  

Drive Safely Work Week^™ is observed nationally each year during the first full week of October; however, the materials are not dated and may be used anytime throughout the year.  In 2010, nearly 5000 organizations participated in Drive Safely Work Week^™, reaching an estimated 20 million employees.

About NETS

NETS is a 501(c) 3 organization, a partnership between the U.S. Federal government and the private sector.  Board of Directors 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, NETS’ Board of Directors includes federal liaisons to the Board from the National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Established in 1989, NETS is dedicated to improving the safety and health 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 is a member of the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration and encourages employers to participate in Drive Safely Work Week^™ as an example of what can be done in the U.S. to support the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020. For more information on NETS or The Decade of Action for Road Safety, visit www.trafficsafety.org or contact jhanley@trafficsafety.org.