September 11-15, 2000 The Fourth Annual Drive Safely Work Week

Traffic crashes pose a major risk to all employers, whether their employees drive for work or just commute to their jobs. Motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death and injury during working hours.

In addition to the personal and emotional toll generated by motor vehicle crash injuries and deaths, traffic crashes affect a business’ bottom line. Direct and indirect crash costs to employers include medical care and workers’ compensation, property damage, replacement transportation, lost productivity, replacement labor and third party losses.

Drive Safely Work Week (DSWW) is a great way for employers to educate employees about key traffic safety issues and show their concern about employee safety. DSWW is designed to help employers emphasize the importance of driving safely both on and off the job and to help prevent crashes. The campaign is sponsored by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS®), a public-private partnership dedicated to reducing traffic deaths and injuries in the nation’s workforce.

Throughout DSWW, five major traffic safety issues are addressed, focusing on a different theme for each day of the week:

• Buckle Up! – emphasizes all aspects of occupant protection
• Courtesy Counts – provides tips on steering clear of aggressive driving
• Who’s Driving? – highlights the many contributors to driver distraction
• Give ‘Em Some Space – educating drivers about coexisting with trucks and other large vehicles
• Steer With a Clear Head – increases awareness of how alcohol, stress, and drugs impaire safe driving

NETS® has developed a DSWW tool kit, which provides everything an employer needs to launch a successful campaign.

The tool kit includes:

• A “road map” for implementing a memorable and effective campaign
• Fact sheets and traffic safety tips
• A sample newsletter article
• A campaign poster
• A catalog of other products and incentives supporting safe driving activities

With the Drive Safely Work Week Tool Kit, it’s simple to participate in this life-saving effort. To order, contact NETS® National at 1-888-221-0045 or at www.trafficsafety.org (there is a charge for the toolkit).