[chambernews] Fwd: Could you please send this out to your membership? Thanks!
Karen Amundson (Chamber)
karen at moramn.com
Mon Nov 3 13:32:35 CST 2014
A message from Michele Bollenbeck - Executive Director of our Safe Roads
Coalition ~
Greetings!
I have attached the most current edition of the MN NETS newsletter. This
edition focuses on fall driving tips and impaired driving resources for
a safe Halloween.
Below is the October National NETS newsletter and the National Safety
Council's transportation safety update.
Happy reading!
Decade of Action for Road Safety
NETS logo
NETSWork
A monthly publication of the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety
October 20, 2014Summaries of timely road safety news, events, and alerts
*Thank you to everyone who participated in Drive Safely Work Week 2014 -
Driving Your Safety Culture Home!*
This year, more than ever, the materials are designed for use beyond the
designated week and can help to include road safety for all employees as
a part of your organization's safety culture all year long. The free
tool kit will remain available at http://trafficsafety.org/
<http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.1.zhxa.1p8v>
LATEST ROAD SAFETY NEWS
Nearly two out of three U.S. roadway fatalities impact employers
directly
Nearly two-thirds of all people killed on U.S. roadways were members of
the nation's workforce, creating a significant human and economic toll
on employers, according to the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety
(NETS). NETS kicked off its national Drive Safely Work Week campaign
October 6. More than 2200 organizations representing approximately 23
million employees were poised to take part in the week that promotes
safe-driving education and awareness for all employees and their
families. "This year's Drive Safely Work Week campaign provides
significant support for employers looking to build or bolster a strong
safety culture," said Joseph McKillips, NETS Chairman and Sr. Manager,
Commercial Program Support, Global Environment, Health, and Safety for
Abbott. "Whether crashes happen on the job or off, employers bear a
large portion of the human and economic cost. This further highlights
the value a workplace road safety program can have on employees and the
general public." Materials are not dated and may be used throughout the
year to enhance road safety education and outreach. To access the
materials, go to: http://trafficsafety.org/
<http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.2.zzbh.1p8v> To see the full press
release, go to: www.businesswire.com/
<http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.3.zzbi.1p8v>
The Transportation Research Board 94th Annual Meeting is January 11-15
Source: TRB website
The Transportation Research Board (TRB) 94th Annual Meeting will be held
in Washington, D.C. at its new venue, the Walter E. Washington
Convention Center. The information-packed program is expected to attract
12,000 transportation professionals from around the world to Washington,
D.C., January 11-15, 2015. The TRB Annual Meeting program covers all
transportation modes, with more than 4,500 presentations in nearly 800
sessions and workshops addressing topics of interest to all
attendees---policy makers, administrators, practitioners, researchers,
and representatives of government, industry, and academic institutions.
NETS will be involved in two panels at this year's meeting. More details
will be made available once the program is finalized. For more
information on the 2015 annual TRB meeting, go to: www.trb.org/
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U.S. traffic safety misleads the public: Column
Source: Leonard Evans, via USA Today, September 18, 2014
Last November, the federal government reported something it has done
only once in more than 20 years: an increase in the highway fatality
rate. But the real story about highway safety in the USA is not this
one-year bump. It is far worse. The U.S., when compared with other
industrialized countries, is utterly failing to adequately tackle
highway safety --- at the cost of tens of thousands of lives a year. In
1972, for example, the U.S. and the Netherlands recorded their greatest
number of road traffic deaths. Over the next 39 years, based on the
author's own research, the number of traffic deaths in the USA declined
by 41%. That might seem impressive, except that highway deaths in the
Netherlands and Germany declined by 81% over those same years. In Great
Britain, they dropped by 76%. In fact, U.S. deaths declined less than in
25 other countries. To see the full article, go to: www.usatoday.com/
<http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.5.zzbk.1p8v>
Vital Signs: Health Burden and Medical Costs of Nonfatal Injuries to
Motor Vehicle Occupants --- United States, 2012
Source: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, CDC, October 10, 2014
The purpose of this study was to describe the current health burden and
medical and work loss costs of nonfatal crash injuries among vehicle
occupants in the United States. More than 2.5 million Americans went to
the emergency department (ED)---and nearly 200,000 were then
hospitalized---for crash injuries in 2012. On average, each
crash-related ED visit costs about $3,300 and each hospitalization costs
about $57,000 over a person's lifetime. The best way to keep people safe
and reduce medical costs is to prevent crashes from happening in the
first place. But if a crash does occur, many injuries can still be
avoided through the use of proven interventions. More can be done by
health and safety officials at every level to prevent crashes and reduce
injuries, but state-level changes are especially effective. To see the
abstract of the study, go to: www.cdc.gov/
<http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.6.zzbl.1p8v>
Drunk vs. distracted driving in DC and the 50 states
Source: The Huffington Post, October 16, 2014
While there's social stigma against drunk driving thanks to decades of
advertising, texting and driving is more widely tolerated. Around 20% of
high schoolers said they have ridden with a drunk driver, while a full
half of all adults and teenagers said that they have ridden in a car
while the driver was texting. As the drunk driving fatality rate
continues its decades-long decline, the danger of distracted driving is
worsening as smartphone usage increases. Between 2005 and 2012, the
number of drunk driving fatalities per person decreased 28%. In the same
time period, the percentage of people observed "visibly manipulating"
their phones while driving increased a staggering 650%. Even though most
states outlaw texting while driving, the associated fines are usually
far lower than those for drinking and driving, even though several
studies show they can be equally as dangerous. In Massachusetts, the
fine for drunk driving is 50 times the fine for texting and driving. The
only outlier is Alaska, where the fine for texting and driving is
$10,000, when the fine for driving while intoxicated is only $1,500. To
see the full article, go to: www.huffingtonpost.com/
<http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.7.zzbm.1p8v>
Pedestrian safety and teens (Infographic)
Source: Safe Kids
According to a new Safe Kids research report, half of teens surveyed say
they cross the street while distracted by a mobile device. Teens who had
been hit or nearly hit more frequently reported crossing in the middle
of a block or running across the street. The research includes an
examination of fatality data that shows 75% of teen pedestrian deaths
occur between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., when it's dark out. A new infographic
illustrates the risk. View the infographic here: www.safekids.org/
<http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.8.zzbn.1p8v>
New studies point out dangers of 'talking' to car
Source: Associated Press, October 7, 2014
Just because you can talk to your car doesn't mean you should. Two new
studies have found that voice-activated smartphones and dashboard
infotainment systems may be making the distracted-driving problem worse
instead of better. The systems let drivers do things like tune the
radio, send a text message or make a phone call while keeping their eyes
on the road and their hands on the wheel, but many of these systems are
so error-prone or complex that they require more concentration from
drivers rather than less, according to studies by the AAA Foundation for
Traffic Safety and the University of Utah. One study examined
infotainment systems in some of the most common auto brands on the road:
Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, Hyundai and Mercedes. The second study tested
the Apple iPhone's Siri voice system to navigate, send texts, make
Facebook and Twitter posts and use the calendar without handling or
looking at the phone. To see the full article, go to: http://usnews.com/
<http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.9.zzbo.1p8v>
Car seat safety: Most parents use car seats incorrectly when driving
newborns home
Source: Headlines and Global News, October 11, 2014
A new study found that infants are exposed to risk as soon as their
parents drive them home from the hospital due to an incorrect position
or installation of car seats. Researchers from the Oregon Health and
Science University Hospital observed 267 families to determine if the
parents unintentionally placed their newborns at risk based on the child
safety guidelines defined by the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA). The team found that 93% of the participants made
at least one critical error in positioning and installation of the car
seat. Researchers observed how the new mothers install the car safety
seat and how they positioned their newborns into the seat on their way
home. They also noted all the errors observed based on the manufacturer
recommendation for the installation and use of car safety seats. To see
the full article, go to: www.hngn.com/
<http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.10.zzbp.1p8v>
Obama taps Dinh-Zarr for NTSB position
Source: Safety + Health Magazine, September 22, 2014
President Barack Obama on Sept. 17 announced that he intended to
nominate Bella Dinh-Zarr as a member of the National Transportation
Safety Board. Dinh-Zarr is the director of the FIA Foundation's U.S.
office after having served as the group's road safety director from 2007
until earlier this year. She has served in a variety of other roles,
including: Director of North America's Make Roads Safe Campaign for
Global Road Safety from 2006 to 2007, National director of traffic
safety policy for AAA from 2002 to 2006, Social scientist with the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration from 2001 to 2002. Once
Dinh-Zarr's nomination is made official, it will need to be approved by
the Senate. To see the full article, go to:
www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/
<http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.11.zzbq.1p8v>
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STATE and regional ROAD SAFETY INITIATIVES
Not wearing seat belt may be a crime in New Jersey
Source: USA Today, October 7, 2014
Under a recent New Jersey Supreme Court decision, failure to wear a seat
belt, or to require minor passengers to wear them, could expose you to
criminal charges and a prison term. In essence, the court said that an
infraction of the state's seat-belt law, usually a $20 ticket, can be
used as one of the elements in a criminal law that could expose an
offender to a prison term up to 10 years. The criminal law in question
makes it a crime for a person to knowingly violate any law that is
intended to protect public health and safety or to knowingly fail to
perform a duty imposed by law to protect public health and safety, if
that action or failure to act involves some recklessness and results in
injury or death. To see the full article, go to: www.usatoday.com/
<http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.12.zzbr.1p8v>
State announces smart phone app to combat drunk driving
Source: County10.com, 10/11/2014
The Governor's Council on Impaired Driving announces the launch of the
"Drive Sober Wyoming" smart phone app. This app gives those who have had
too much to drink another way to find a ride home. The app helps users
phone or text a friend for a ride. The text message sends a map link
with the approximate user location. The app user designates friends to
contact with one tap of the icon. Taxi services are listed by town and
can be contacted from a drop down menu. The Laws, Penalties and Cost of
a DUI icons quickly let the app user know the risk of driving drunk
including steep monetary costs, the loss of driving privileges and jail.
The app also allows anyone to report an impaired driver on the road to
the Highway Patrol. To see the full article, go to: http://county10.com/
<http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.13.zzbs.1p8v>
Survey ranks the states with the rudest drivers
Source: Automotive Fleet, September 16, 2014
A survey asking drivers to rank the states with the rudest drivers found
that the worst offenders were from Idaho. The survey of 2,000 licensed
drivers across the country found Washington, D.C., the second rudest
region, with New York coming in third. Wyoming and Massachusetts round
out the top 5. When asked what drives drivers mad about other drivers,
talking on a cellphone was number one, with 47% of responses.
Tailgating, not signaling turns, weaving in and out of lanes and driving
too fast were also top behaviors considered rude. To see the full
article, including where your state ranks in the survey, go to:
www.automotive-fleet.com/ <http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.14.zzbt.1p8v>
The Drive: U pilot project helps truckers combat drowsy driving
Source: Star Tribune, September 23, 2014
Kind of like motel vacancy signs, new signs near three rest areas along
an eastbound Interstate in Minnesota now tell truck drivers how many
parking spaces are available. The signs are part of a pilot project led
by the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the University of
Minnesota designed to give truckers real-time information about where
they can find a safe place to pull off the road when they have reached
their driving limit. Cameras scan the lot to determine how many truck
spots are open. The information is sent to a computer, which relays it
to electronic signs, the MnDOT website and directly to truckers whose
cabs are wired to receive it. With information about the number of spots
available, truckers can decide whether to pull off or proceed to the
next rest area. Data from 2012 shows there were 317,000 crashes
nationwide involving large trucks, or 868 a day. Truck crashes led to
3,921 deaths, or an average of 11 a day. To see the full article, go to:
www.startribune.com/ <http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.15.zzbu.1p8v>
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WORK - HOME
Safety experts to pedestrians: Put the smartphones down and pay
attention
Source: The Washington Post, September 20, 2014
A 14-year-old boy was injured when he walked off a six-foot-high bridge
into a ditch while talking on his phone. A 23-year-old man was hit by a
car while walking down the middle of a road talking on his phone. The
dangers of distracted driving are well known and have sparked new laws,
but safety experts are increasingly concerned about a more recent trend:
distracted walking. While there is little hard data on the problem,
safety experts say there is plenty of anecdotal evidence. Many say they
think smartphone distractions are at least partly to blame for the
number of pedestrian fatalities beginning to rise again in 2010 after
years of holding steady or declining slightly. The number of traffic
fatalities overall has been falling nationwide because of safer
vehicles, increased seat-belt use and less drunken driving, experts say.
But pedestrian deaths began to tick up in 2010. By 2012, pedestrians
accounted for 14% of U.S. traffic fatalities, up from 11% in 2007. To
see the full article, go to: www.washingtonpost.com/
<http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.16.zzbv.1p8v>
Fleet safety tips: Dealing with hail storms
Source: Fleet, October 6, 2014
It's fairly common for fleet drivers to underestimate the damage that a
severe hail storm can cause, particularly those drivers who have lived
primarily in regions known for mild weather. But a hail storm is capable
of causing major personal injuries and costly vehicle damage in a matter
of minutes. On Sept. 29, for example, a hail storm ripped through
Centennial, Colo., and damaged countless unprotected vehicles, ensuring
local body shops plenty of work for the coming weeks. Progressive
Insurance recommends that if you unexpectedly drive into a hail storm,
look for a covered structure where you can safely park. Stay inside once
the hail storm begins. Keep your vehicle angled so any falling hail hits
the front, rather than the back or sides, of the vehicle. Windshields
are reinforced to withstand forward driving and pelting objects. Also,
lie down, if possible, and keep your back to the windows. If you have a
blanket, cover yourself to prevent possible debris from hitting you. To
see the full article, go to: www.automotive-fleet.com/
<http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.17.zzbw.1p8v>
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WORKPLACE ROAD SAFETY
Safety & compliance: Using a simulator in your safety program
Source: TruckingInfo.com, September 2014
Less than a year after adding driver simulators to supplement its
extensive driver training program, UPS saw a 38% reduction in crashes.
And they did it without using a huge full-size truck cab simulator that
takes up an entire room. Driving simulators have been around for a long
time. The technology today, however, is more sophisticated, takes up
less space and is more affordable. In the world of simulators, the cost
is dropping, the quality of the user experience is improving, and you
don't need a whole room anymore. In fact, there are even portable
options that make sense for some types of training, which is what UPS
used in its program. To see the full article, go to:
www.truckinginfo.com/ <http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.18.zzbx.1p8v>
Regional Emphasis Program focuses on vehicle struck-bys
Source: Safety and Health Magazine, October 7, 2014
Noting that more than one-third of all incident investigations in four
Midwest states involve vehicle-related struck-by fatalities, OSHA has
established a Regional Emphasis Program to help reduce the number of
these incidents. The program targets hazards associated with material
handling and personnel handling motorized equipment, including powered
industrial trucks, cranes and aerial lifts. OSHA said it will evaluate
whether employers are following vehicle-related standards during all
inspections in the region, and will follow up on complaints. To see the
full article, go to: www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/
<http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.19.zzby.1p8v>
Safety & compliance: Preparing for a crash
Source: TruckingInfo.com, October 2014
Fleets should prepare for and practice what to do in the event of a
serious accident just like they would for fire drills -- from top
management to dispatchers to drivers, according to Don Jerrell, a safety
expert at HNI Risk Services. Jerrell, a former driver and safety manager
who's now associate vice president of transportation for HNI, told
attendees of the Fleet Safety Conference earlier this year that what
drivers and other company personnel do immediately following an accident
can help you win a lawsuit or cause you to lose one. The key, he said,
is proper preparation and proper training. Drivers should go through
live exercises simulating the aftermath of a crash. Because the driver
is the one on the scene, Jerrell outlined seven steps drivers need to
take when involved in an accident. These should be ingrained in them
through proper training and practice. To see the full article outlining
the seven steps, go to: www.truckinginfo.com/
<http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.20.zzbz.1p8v>
National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2013 (preliminary
results)
Source: Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) News Release, September 11,
2014
A preliminary total of 4,405 fatal work injuries were recorded in the
United States in 2013, lower than the revised count of 4,628 fatal work
injuries in 2012, according to results from the Census of Fatal
Occupational Injuries (CFOI) conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics. The rate of fatal work injury for U.S. workers in 2013 was
3.2 per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers, compared to a final
rate of 3.4 per 100,000 in 2012. Fatal transportation incidents were
lower by 10% in 2013, but still accounted for about 2 out of every 5
fatal work injuries in 2013. Of the 1,740 transportation-related fatal
injuries in 2013, nearly 3 out of every 5 (991 cases) were roadway
incidents involving motorized land vehicles. Non-roadway incidents, such
as a tractor overturn in a farm field, accounted for another 13% of the
transportation-related fatal injuries. About 16% of fatal transportation
incidents (284 cases) in 2013 involved pedestrians who were struck by
vehicles. Forty-eight of these occurred in work zones. To see the full
news release, go to: www.bls.gov/
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First-ever fleet safety lifetime achievement award presented
Automotive Fleet, October 2014
Kathy Konicki, the retired director of associate safety at Nationwide
Insurance, was the recipient of the first-ever Fleet Safety Lifetime
Achievement Award in recognition of her promotion of fleet safety at
Nationwide and throughout the industry. The award was presented by Mike
Antich, conference chair, during a lunchtime awards ceremony at the 2014
Fleet Safety Conference, which was held in Schaumburg, Ill., from July
22 to July 23. The award was created and sponsored by Bobit Business
Media, publisher of Automotive Fleet. During his presentation, Antich
noted some of Konicki's numerous achievements, including reducing crash
frequency rates from 10.92 to 2.65 per million miles traveled, and
reducing the cost of crashes by 75%. She also was recognized for her
role in eliminating driver fatalities with the implementation of the
Nationwide fleet safety program. To see the full article, go to:
www.automotive-fleet.com/ <http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.22.zzc1.1p8v>
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Innovation and Technology
Wi-Fi hot spots on the rise in vehicles
Source: Detroit Free Press, September 27, 2014
Are Wi-Fi hot spots in cars the next big thing, or the answer to a
question nobody asked? Maybe both. A few vehicles, mostly from luxury
brands, have offered built-in Internet connections to search for
restaurants, gas stations, etc. for several years, but General Motors
took the technology mainstream this fall, offering high-speed AT&T 4G
LTE data service in dozens of vehicles ranging from the tiny Chevrolet
Spark economy car to luxury Cadillacs. Autotrader predicts 80% of
millennials will use tablets or smartphones for car shopping by the end
of this decade. GM and AT&T are all-in, using the data stream for
diagnostic checks on vehicles, navigation, "find my car" apps, accident
notification and all-purpose connectivity for passengers. As many as
seven people can be online simultaneously with GM's system, which
generates a signal useable anywhere in the vehicle and as much as 50
feet around it. To see the full article, go to: www.freep.com/
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INTERNATIONAL ROAD SAFETY
European employers show road safety is good for business
Source: ETSC Press Release, October 13, 2014.
In Europe, business travel makes up about 30% of all travel, rising to
50% if commuting is included and commuting on its own accounts for up to
45% of work-related deaths. Five European private and public-sector
organisations have been recognised for the results of company-wide
programmes they have put in place to improve the road safety of their
employees, vehicle fleets and the public. Awards were presented at the
European Transport Safety Council's (ETSC) European Conference on
Work-Related Road Safety held in Brussels last week. To see the full
news release with the list of winners, go to: http://etsc.eu/
<http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.24.zzc3.1p8v>
Driver fatigue survey points out risks to Irish hurling fans
Source: Liberty Mutual
Don't remember the last few kilometers you drove? Missed an exit off the
road? Had a near miss or collision? Crossed a lane when you shouldn't
have? Been slow to react or late to brake? If any of the above sound
familiar then you have probably experienced driver fatigue. In
conjunction with the All-Ireland Hurling Replay, Liberty Mutual revealed
some interesting yet alarming new insights into driver fatigue with some
interesting findings for Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) fans that
travel to games. New research on driver fatigue was recently carried out
by Millward Brown on behalf of Liberty Mutual Insurance as part of the
ongoing #DriveSafer campaign. Nearly 40% of GAA fans admitted to driving
after less than 5 hours sleep and 53% experienced an incident such as
those highlighted in an infographic. The research also found that GAA
fans are more likely than other drivers nationwide to plan for the
journey ahead. To see the full article and accompanying infographic, go
to:http://blog.libertyinsurance.ie/
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New safety qualification designed for people driving at work
Source: Fleet News (UK)
The British Safety Council has launched a new qualification to help
people who drive as part of their work stay safe on the roads. The Level
2 Award in Safe Driving at Work aims to provide learners with key
knowledge of the hazards and risks associated with driving. It equips
vehicle users with valuable guidance on the measures available for
reducing these risks, such as vehicle inspection, behavior and defensive
driving. According to estimates from the Health and Safety Executive
(HSE), up to a third of all road traffic accidents in Britain involve
someone involved in work-related activity. The qualification instructs
learners on a range of topics including the particular risks associated
with vulnerable road users, such as cyclists and pedestrians, the
importance of regular vehicle safety checks and how to adapt driving
style in response to changes in driving conditions or the actions of
others. To see the full article, go to: www.fleetnews.co.uk/
<http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.26.zzc5.1p8v>
New research taking scientific approach to driver risk
Source: Fleet News (UK), October 16, 2014
A new study is set to explore if behavioural profiling can be used by
businesses and the fleet and insurance sectors to identify whether
someone is a high driving risk. Driver Safe 2015, commencing towards the
end of this year and supported by the road safety charity Brake, will
seek to investigate the possibility of accurately predicting a driver's
inherent risk status using a behavioural profiling approach
incorporating psychometric, emotional intelligence and motivator
profiling techniques. It is expected that drivers taking part in the
study will come from leading health-and safety-focused, UK-based
organisations, encompassing a diverse range of vehicles. A pre-launch
benchmarking activity has already shown that it is indeed possible to
effectively benchmark the best and worst drivers to help define an
"ideal" driver profile, allowing this approach to be used to enhance and
streamline driver recruitment. To see the full article, go to:
www.fleetnews.co.uk/ <http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.27.zzc6.1p8v>
New campaign to warn drivers of the dangers of country roads
Source: UK.gov, October 9, 2014
THINK! is launching a new campaign to warn drivers of the dangers of
country roads. Sixty percent of people killed on Britain's roads die on
rural roads, and new research shows many more drivers are needlessly
putting themselves at risk of an accident. A shocking 25% of drivers
report having had a near miss on a country road, while 40% have been
surprised by an unexpected hazard, such as an animal. A third also
confess to taking a bend too fast. These findings suggest many drivers
are failing to anticipate dangers on the road ahead. The research
mirrors newly published casualty statistics which show that the most
commonly reported contributory factor to being killed or seriously
injured on country roads is motorists losing control, often because they
are driving too fast for the conditions. To see the full article, go to:
https://www.gov.uk/ <http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.28.zzc7.1p8v>
Employers warned to educate drivers on pedestrian safety
Source: Admiral (UK), October 15, 2014
More than half of companies with staff who drive for work don't provide
education about protecting pedestrians and cyclists, according to latest
government figures. The road safety charity, Brake, is issuing an appeal
to employers to play their part in preventing the high number of
pedestrian and cyclist casualties after newly released government
figures reveal six people are killed and 157 seriously injured every
week while walking or cycling. "We're appealing to all employers with
staff who drive for work to get the right policies in place, make use of
technologies to address blind-spots and speeding, and ensure their
drivers understand that protecting people always comes first," said
Ellie Pearson, senior professional engagement officer at Brake. To see
the full article, go to: http://www.admiral.com/
<http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.29.zzc8.1p8v>
Accident study highlights at-work drivers' risk rates
At-work drivers are far less likely to be involved in a collision caused
by substance impairment or speeding than other motorists, according to
an analysis of 1.4 million accidents. However, at-work drivers are far
more likely to engage in other types of risky driving behaviour. The
report, by Road Safety Analysis, was commissioned by AA DriveTech based
on incidents reported to police from 2008-12 and divided at-work drivers
into four categories: working car drivers, commercial drivers, other
working drivers and taxi drivers. The report compares each group to the
national norm, but to each other also, and discovered some clear
differences between the ways at-work drivers contribute to collisions
compared with other drivers. The report found commercial drivers are
more likely to engage in tailgating (40% higher), to be fatigued (48%
higher), or to undertake manoeuvre errors (40% higher). Working car
drivers are more likely to be distracted (15% higher), commit junction
errors (25% higher), be fatigued (23% higher), or engage in tailgating
(14% higher). Taxi drivers are more likely to be distracted (21%
higher), have unsafe behaviour (26% higher) and carry out traffic
contraventions (52% higher). The see the full article, including a
description of the different categories of drivers, go to:
www.fleetnews.co.uk/ <http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.30.zzc9.1p8v>
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Sample of Drive Safely Work Week articles
Drive Safely Work Week an opportunity to build a workplace safety
culture
Link to US DOT Fast Lane Blog » <http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.31.zzca.1p8v>
AmeriPride installs 'safety driven' telematics technology in entire
fleet for Drive Safely Work Week
Link to article on PR Web » <http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.32.zzcb.1p8v>
Safe Communities Recognizes Drive Safely Work Week
Link to article in Circleville Today »
<http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.33.zzcc.1p8v>
Minnesota employers urged to promote traffic safety during Drive
Safely Work Week Oct. 6-10
Link to PR Newswire » <http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.34.zzcd.1p8v>
The Business Case for Driving Safety
Link to Hr.blr.com » <http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.35.zzce.1p8v>
NIOSH Science Blog: Drive Safely Work Week 2014
Link to CDC.gov » <http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.36.zzcf.1p8v>
Division of Workers' Compensation encourages safety behind the wheel
Link to www.waxahachietx.com » <http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.37.zzcg.1p8v>
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U.S. DOT NEWS
FMCSA to recruit fleets for wireless-inspection testing
Source: Fleet Owner, October 3, 2014
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's long-running
examination of conducting vehicle and driver inspections wirelessly
moves to an important new phase next year. That's when the agency and
its partners plan to kick off a field operation test of wireless
roadside inspection (WRI) technology in five Southeastern states using
up to 1,000 commercial trucks and buses running in normal day-to-day
operations. WRI is similar to today's weigh station bypass in that it
uses a red/yellow/green light in the cab to indicate whether the driver
can continue driving or either drive through a station or stop to see an
inspector. But the approach differs from today's preclearance systems
because it involves gathering safety and compliance information from all
participants, not just in managing which trucks get inspected. To see
the full article, go to: http://fleetowner.com/
<http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.38.zzch.1p8v>
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Upcoming Transportation/Safety Events
October 21, 2014 8:30--5:00 PM
NTSB Conference Center, Washington D.C.
NTSB Highway Safety Forum: Awake, Alert, Alive: Overcoming the
Dangers of Drowsy Driving
Federal Liaison to the NETS Board of Directors, Dr. Stephanie Pratt of
NIOSH, will be presenting.
This event is free and open to the public, no registration necessary. It
will also be viewable via webcast. For more information, go to:
www.ntsb.gov/ <http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.39.zzci.1p8v>
October 19-25, 2014
National Teen Driver Safety Week (NTDSW)
For more information, go to: http://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/teens
<http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.40.zzcj.1p8v>
October 31, 2014
/Halloween 2014 Drunk Driving Prevention Campaign /NHTSA's Traffic
Safety Marketing
The scariest part of Halloween isn't the spooky costumes and scary
pranks; it's alcohol-impaired drivers. Don't let Halloween turn into a
nightmare. Fact sheets and materials from NHTSA's Traffic Safety
Marketing available now here: www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/
<http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.41.uipt.1p8v>
Operation Safe Driver Week is October 19-25
Sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) in
partnership with FMCSA. For materials and information, go to:
www.cvsa.org/ <http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.42.zzck.1p8v>
Transportation Research Board (TRB)
94th Annual Meeting, January 11-15, 2015
"Corridors to the Future: Transportation and Technology"
Washington, D.C.
Early registration is available through November 30. For more
information, go to: www.trb.org/
<http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.43.zzbj.1p8v>
November 16, 2014
World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
For more information and a schedule of events, go to:
www.worlddayofremembrance.org/ <http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.44.syzq.1p8v>
November 27, 2014
/Thanksgiving Weekend Travel/
NHTSA's Traffic Safety Marketing
During the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in 2012, over 300 people were
killed in traffic crashes across the nation. Tragically, 60% of those
killed were not buckled up. Buckle Up fact sheets and materials
available here: www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/
<http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.45.zzcl.1p8v>
November 28-December 9, 2014
Pre-Holiday Season Drunk Driving Prevention
/Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving/
NHTSA's Traffic Safety Marketing
The holiday season is right around the corner. You have to choose your
role before drinking begins: will you drink or will you drive? Remember,
even if you only have a little bit to drink and think you're "okay to
drive," you could still be over the legal limit, because /Buzzed Driving
is Drunk Driving/. Campaign materials available here:
www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/ <http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.46.zzcm.1p8v>
December 10-31, 2014
Holiday Season Drunk Driving Prevention
Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over
Materials from NHTSA's Traffic Safety Marketing available here:
www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/ <http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.47.zzcn.1p8v>
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Sections In This Issue
Latest Road Safety News » <#latest>
State and Regional Road Safety Initiatives » <#state>
Work - Home » <#workhome>
Workplace Road Safety » <#workplace>
Innovation and Technology » <#innovation>
International Road Safety » <#international>
Sample of Drive Safely Work Week Articles » <#usdot>
U.S. DOT News » <#usdot>
Events » <#events>
NETS Links
NETS website » <http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.51.q29h.1p8v>
Members Only Site » <http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.52.b0o3.1p8v>
NETS Store » <http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.53.b0o4.1p8v>
NETS Fleet Safety Benchmark Program
If you have a fleet of vehicles, NETS' annual fleet safety benchmark
program will help you reduce collisions, injuries and costs. For
information, please email Jack Hanley, NETS executive director
<mailto:jhanley at trafficsafety.org>
The Novice Driver's Road Map
Help your employees help their teenagers become better drivers.
Visit trafficsafety.org to read about the Novice Driver's Roap Map »
<http://t.ms00.net/s/c?fd.t81s.54.plzr.1p8v>
About NETSWork
NETSWork is published electronically the 15th of each month by the
Network of Employers for Traffic Safety, Lynda Morrissey, editor, Jack
Hanley, Executive Director.
Note from the editor
All links to stories have been tested and are active 24 hours prior to
distribution, however, links may become inactive over time at the
discretion of the publication source.
*_National Safety Council Transportation Safety_**_Updates_*
*/TV: CSPAN -/* Matt Richtel
<http://mms.tveyes.com/transcript.asp?StationID=200&DateTime=10%2f26%2f2014+2%3a44%3a28+PM&PlayClip=true>discusses
his new book, /A Deadly Wandering, /and the impact of cell phone use on
motorists' safety. NSC estimates 26 percent of all crashes involve cell
phone use.
*/Yahoo! Parenting - /*The teen driver risk parents may not understand
<https://www.yahoo.com/parenting/the-teen-driver-risk-parents-may-not-understand-100179929297.html>-
A single young passenger increases a 16- or 17-year-old driver's fatal
crash risk by 44 percent. Two such passengers double the fatal crash
risk, and three or more under-21 passengers /quadruple/ a driver's risk
of being killed in a crash. Still, survey results from NSC found 60
percent of parents allow or encourage their teens to drive younger
siblings, and 43 percent allow or encourage their teens to give rides to
friends.
*/San Francisco Chronicle -/* Matt Richtel drives home dangers of
texting behind the wheel
<http://www.sfgate.com/books/article/Matt-Richtel-drives-home-dangers-of-texting-5848106.php>-
San Francisco journalist Matt Richtel has spent years and countless
column inches elucidating to readers the perils of distracted driving
and, more broadly, distracted living. Yet, as he was reporting on our
collective habituation to 24/7 connectedness, Richtel noticed "how
technology was altering my own behavior." He "was feeling a tick of
anxiety when away from my device," he writes in his riveting new
nonfiction book, /A Deadly Wandering/.
*/The Baltimore Sun - /*Editorial: The NTSB's call for safety
<http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/editorial/bs-ed-cell-phones-20141024-story.html>-
The final NTSB investigation conclusions into last year's crash between
a truck driver and a locomotive makes clear the driver was at fault. He
failed to slow and stop at the crossing despite repeated horn blasts
from the train driver. At the time of the crash, the truck driver was
using a hands-free cell phone. As NSC has noted, hands-free is not
risk-free.
*/Program Business (from Fleet Owner) -/*Telematics viewed as a vehicle
safety game-changer
<http://www.programbusiness.com/News/Telematics-Viewed-As-a-Vehicle-Safety-Game-Changer>-
Eighty-one percent of licensed drivers recently surveyed by the
insurance industry lobby admitted to using their cell phones while
operating a vehicle. Consistent estimates developed in a series of
studies since 1996 conclude that drivers using cell phones are four
times more likely to be involved in a car crash. According to NSC
estimates, 26 percent of crashes involve cell phone use. *//*
Lisa Kons, Continuing Education Coordinator
Minnesota Safety Council
474 Concordia Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55103
(P)651.228.7330
(F)651.291-7584
Buckle Up Everybody! Every Seat. Every Time.
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