Take Charge of YOUR Driving Behavior. Reduce YOUR Crash Risk. Avoid High-Risk Driving Mistakes.
Drive Safely Work Week October 1 - 5
BINGHAMTON, NY - Sponsored by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS), Drive Safely Work Week, October 1-5, is a nationally observed campaign designed to help employers emphasize the importance of driving safely both on and off the job to reduce preventable crashes. This year's campaign theme, Take Charge of YOUR Driving Behavior. Reduce YOUR Crash Risk. Avoid High-Risk Driving Mistakes., addresses five common “high-risk” driving mistakes and provides risk avoidance tips that each driver can take to ensure their safety and the safety of others sharing the road:
- Being Inattentive
- Following Too Closely
- Traveling at Improper Speeds
- Ignoring Traffic Signs & Signals
- Backing Up Unsafely
Because driving is something that we do every day, many of us take our driving skills for granted. Most drivers claim that they are good drivers; however, data indicates that some drivers are making mistakes when driving. With 6 million crashes that resulted in 42,642 fatalities and just under 2.6 million people injured in the United States last year, everyone behind the wheel is not a good driver. According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, in Broome County 2,236 crashes occurred resulting in 16 fatalities in 2005.
Every day thousands of drivers make the decision to multi-task, speed, tailgate, run red lights and take their aggression out on other drivers, putting themselves and others sharing the road at risk. These and other hazardous driving behaviors coupled with unsafe driver attitudes make the time employees spend in the car the most dangerous part of the work day.
Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death and injury in the nation's workforce with the average crash costing an employer $16,500. “One of the best ways to keep our employees safe on the road and reduce our risk is to educate them about driver safety and promote safe driving practices,” said Claudia Edwards, Public Health Director for the Broome County Health Department.
During this special week, agencies such as BAE Systems, Laidlaw Education Services and all Broome County Departments will demonstrate their commitment to protecting the health and well being of their most valuable assets—their employees. These agencies will be promoting safe driving practices among their employees by distributing payroll stuffers with messages about safety belt use, sending daily e-mails about high-risk driving mistakes and displaying posters with specific traffic safety messages around the workplace.
“The Broome County Health Department proudly supports this year's Drive Safely Work Week,” said Claudia Edwards. “We recognize that it is important for all employees to take a few minutes each day to hear this safety message and to Take Charge of YOUR Driving Behavior. Reduce YOUR Crash Risk. Avoid High-Risk Driving Mistakes.,” she further said.
CONTACT:
Carrie Abbott, Supervising Public Health Educator
Broome County Health Department: 607.778.2884
email: cabbott@co.broome.ny.us
Broome County Health Department: 607.778.2807
email: cmuss@co.broome.ny.us
Older Press Releases are online for archival purposes only. If you need updated information regarding items contained in these press releases please call or email the contact person listed for the release. Thank you.
Published Date: 09-27-2007
