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Message from NETS' Executive Director, Joe McKillips
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It has been an exciting month at NETS!
A new Drive Safely Work Week™ (DSWW) road safety awareness campaign, focused on Speed, was introduced in early May.
This is the first of a series of focused DSWW campaigns that will be offered more frequently throughout the year.
Materials are not dated and are available to all, so if you have not yet taken the time to do so, I invite you to download the toolkit and schedule your Drive Safely Work Week™ Speed campaign during a time frame that works best for you.
We’ve also improved a key NETS member benefit: the ability to engage with your fellow road safety professionals. A new & improved NETS Road Safety Leaders Forum is now available, where NETS members can post discussion topics, ask questions and contribute input - online and in real-time. I encourage all members to spend time within the forum to exchange and share their road safety expertise and wisdom with fellow colleagues.
And finally, as I mentioned last month, registration for the 2017 STRENGTH IN NUMBERS® Annual Conference is now open for all NETS members, and I encourage you to register soon as space will be limited! Watch for the latest update on our exciting line-up of keynote speakers and break-out sessions, coming shortly.
Thanks again to everyone for your time and dedication to making a difference in road safety. If you’re not yet a NETS member, there has never been a better time to join our mission to reduce risk and save lives!
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NETS Road Safety Leaders Forum
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Whether your company’s road safety program is in an early stage of development, making progress, or already mature, it is always helpful to learn from your peers. Developing and sustaining your company’s road safety program can be challenging work.
That is where NETS comes in. The ability to hold online discussions with the entire NETS community is a powerful membership benefit. Now it’s easier to do so! Post discussion topics, ask questions and contribute your input, online and in real-time on the New & Improved: NETS
Road Safety Leaders Forum
To get started, see the following member questions which were recently posted:
If you are not yet a NETS member,
explore the benefits of joining.
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NETS Drive Safely Work Week™ Speed Campaign
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Drive Safely Work Week™ (DSWW) has been an annual campaign sponsored by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) for many years. In order to continue this successful campaign, we are updating the structure to focus more tightly on changing specific behaviors, delivered more frequently.
That is why DSWW is now being offered on a quarterly basis, with modules focused on specific driving behaviors. The first in the series, a campaign focused on speed, was introduced in early May.
Schedule your DSWW Speed Campaign and download the toolkit here: DSWW Toolkit
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Guidelines for Using Technology to Address Road Safety Challenges
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Source: Together for Safer Roads, April 24, 2017
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In conjunction with World Day for Safety and Health at Work on April 28, Together for Safer Roads (TSR) released the Guidelines for Using Technology to Address Road Safety Challenges report. The report outlines how to effectively apply safety technologies, like connected vehicles and infrastructure, autonomous vehicles and features, sensors and telematics, and consumer electronics, to fleet operations in order to pave the way to a golden era of road safety.
To read the press release, go to:
TSR Press Release.
To read the full report, go to:
Guidelines for Using Technology to Address Road Safety Challenges
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Most Dangerous, Safest Highways Ranked
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Source: Automotive Fleet, April 20, 2017
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Geotab has ranked the nation's most dangerous, as well as safest, highways in the country based on federal highway data analyzed by the company over the past 10 years by looking at the annual number of road fatalities and fatal crashes according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and adjusted for the average daily traffic counts provided by the Federal Highway Administration.
To read the article, go to: Most Dangerous, Safest Highways Ranked. To read Geotab's full report, go to: The Most Dangerous Highways in America
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Speed Kills: Always Has, Always Will
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Source: National Safety Council, May 15, 2017
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Across the nation right now, legislation is being proposed to raise speed limits; in some states, the limits have already been increased. But raising speed limits means raising risk, moving us in the wrong direction. A study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that, in the wake of speed limit increases over two decades, an additional 33,000 lives were lost on U.S. roadways. IIHS projected that, in 2013 alone, raising the limits resulted in an additional 1,900 fatalities.
How many thousands of people need to give up the rest of their lives to save everyone else a few minutes?
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WORKPLACE/ HOME ROAD SAFETY
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The Importance of Banning Phone Use in Your Fleet
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Source: Automotive Fleet, April 2017
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In the past decade or so, legislation regarding driver cellphone use has been a focus to curb the dangers of distracted driving. While every state has some form of restriction for cellphone use while driving, some states are slightly more flexible with how much a driver can operate his or her phone.
But despite what kinds of laws or policies are enforced, it all comes down to the decision of fleet drivers and whether or not they choose to operate a phone while driving.
To read the full article, go to: The Importance of Banning Phone Use in Your Fleet
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AAA to Rescue 7 Million During Summer Driving Season
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Source: AAA, May 11, 2017
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This summer, AAA expects to rescue 7 million American drivers, with the majority facing battery, lock and tire-related issues. Unfortunately, AAA has found that many drivers are unprepared for roadside emergencies. “Roadside breakdowns continue to rise each year and can be a safety hazard for everyone on the road,” continued Ruud. “AAA is ready to help when vehicle troubles leave you stranded, however, travelers can minimize their risk by planning ahead and preparing properly.”
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Riders Say Distracted Drivers in Vehicles Cause Sharp Increase in Motorcycle Crashes
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Source: Fox31 Denver, May 13, 2017
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With the warming weather, more bikers are out. May is also Motorcycle Awareness Month. On Saturday in Littleton, a ride was held by the BikerDown organization to raise awareness of the consequences of distracted driving. Almost every bike there had a tribute to someone they loved who died while riding. Starting this summer thanks to the last legislative session, not paying attention while driving will cost drivers even more.
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TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
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A Survey of Public Opinion About Flying Cars
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Source: University of Michigan, Sustainable Worldwide Transportation, April 2017
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Until recently, flying cars have existed primarily in the realm of science fiction, although patents for such vehicles extend to the early years of aviation. However, recently there has been a rapid increase in interest in flying cars from companies ranging from large, international manufacturers to a variety of start-ups. Consequently, this study was designed to survey Americans regarding their views about flying cars. The overall conclusion from the findings is that, despite the fact that most Americans are very concerned about the safety of flying cars, most would still ultimately like to use them.
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New York Could Adopt 'Textalyzer' Device For Busting Distracted Drivers
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Source: Forbes, May 15, 2017
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Legislation that's working its way through Albany could allow New York authorities to check drivers' phones for signs of distraction following an accident, and to impose penalties for refusing that could burden drivers down the road. Now moving through senate and assembly committees, the bill would require drivers who've been involved in an accident to let authorities scan their phones for evidence of recent use, or face penalties and license suspension, both at the time and later on, if they refuse.
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New Report Calls States to Take Action on Drug-Impaired Driving
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Source: GHSA, April 26, 2017
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Evaluating the Enforceability of Texting Laws: Strategies Tested in Connecticut and Massachusetts
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Source: NHTSA, March 2017
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This evaluation sought to determine the enforceability of texting laws and to test methods for enforcing these laws. Participating law enforcement agencies in Connecticut and Massachusetts demonstrated that a variety of enforcement strategies could be used to enforce texting laws, including spotter, stationary, and roving patrols. The evaluation found that texting laws can be enforced, and it provides a resource for law enforcement agencies to guide planning and execution of texting enforcement.
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INTERNATIONAL ROAD SAFETY
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Zero Stars All Round for Chevrolet Onix and Kia Rio Sedan
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Source: Global NCAP, May 11, 2017
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Latin NCAP’s second round of results for 2017 were released today with a disappointing zero stars result for both the Kia Rio Sedan and Chevrolet Onix. Alejandro Furas, Secretary General of Latin NCAP said, "It is very disappointing for Latin NCAP that major manufacturers like GM and Kia are continuing to sell zero star cars in Latin America. Car buyers deserve much better than these sub-standard results from companies that know perfectly well how to produce much safer cars. These unimpressive results should serve as a strong lesson to Governments across the region that manufacturers cannot be trusted to provide minimum levels of safety."
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Distracted Driving in India: A Study on Mobile Phone Usage, Pattern & Behaviour
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Source: SaveLIFE Foundation, April 2017
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Emerging as one of the top causes of death among the most productive age groups, road crashes have developed into a major public health crisis across the world. The WHO categorizes driver distraction as an important risk factor for road crash injuries. The United States Department of Transportation terms distracted driving as one of the most dangerous driver behaviours and an epidemic which has increased with the proliferation of mobile phones. Through a multi-city nationwide survey, an attempt was made to understand the usage patterns, effect of use and perception of mobile phone usage of road users across India.
Companies occupy a unique position of influencing road user behavior as they have workforce that is compelled to follow institutionalized policies. Every company needs to have a “Health, Safety and Well being Policy” with a clear directive to its employees to follow safety rules on the road.
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QUT Study Finds Distracted Drivers May Cause Other Drivers to Take Risks
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Source: 1moresecond by eDriving, April 18, 2017
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UPCOMING TRANSPORTATION SAFETY EVENTS
AND CAMPAIGNS
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2017 Click It or Ticket National Seat Belt Enforcement Mobilization.
The 2017 CIOT National Seat Belt Enforcement Mobilization is May 15 - June 4, 2017.
In 2015, the use of seat belts in passenger vehicles saved an estimated 13,941 lives of occupants ages 5 and older. The Click It or Ticket campaign focuses on safety education, strong laws, and law enforcement officers saving lives. Use the enforcement resources for outreach during the campaign dates to highlight the dangers of not wearing a seat belt. To download the enforcement resources, go to: CIOT National Mobilization
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Of the many great things about summertime, few match the fun of a family road trip. Before you hook up that new boat or camper, or hit the road with your family or friends in your car, SUV, pickup, or RV, take the time to review these summer travel safety tips. Prevention and planning may take a little time up front, but will spare you from dealing with the consequences of a breakdown—or worse yet, a highway crash—later.
To check out videos, fact sheets, and tips, go to:
NHTSA Summer Driving Tips
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National Heatstroke Prevention Campaign:
June 5- August 20
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4th of July: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over
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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.
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About NETSWork®
NETSWork is published electronically on or about the 15th of each month by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety, Susan Gillies, Editor, and Joe McKillips, Executive Director.
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© 2017 Network of Employers for Traffic Safety
NETS is registered by the US Internal Revenue Service as a 501(C)3 non-profit organization
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