NETS’ Workplace Campaign Features Holistic Approach to Safe Driving

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