September 2020

Summaries of timely road safety news, events, and alerts
Message from NETS' Executive Director, Joe McKillips
Greetings Road Safety Colleagues,

First off, I hope this finds everyone doing well. While the past several months have been a challenge for many with the ongoing pandemic, I have also found myself impressed with the resolve and determination of our many NETS members and road safety colleagues who have done an outstanding job of maintaining their focus and dedication through these unique times. I want to also thank our impressive NETS Board of Directors for their time and commitment during these unprecedented times. Their support of NETS has never been more evident as shown by their presence and contributions toward our upcoming conference proceedings.

To that end, we are only two weeks out from NETS VIRTUAL Strength IN Numbers® Fleet Safety Benchmark Conference. We have been working hard behind the scenes to finalize arrangements for what is certain to be an amazing event. Not only is our agenda filled with a number of highly sought after keynote speakers, but our plenary sessions comprised of NETS member presentations will highlight a multitude of current road safety issues and inspiring discussions as well. Last but certainly not least are session presentations planned by each of our valued NETS Sponsors who will share the latest SOLUTIONS their companies have prepared in helping employers reduce risk behind the wheel.

As we countdown the days to our conference, NETS has also experienced another “first” by way of our recent membership revision which moves our organization to a three tier model vs. “one size fits all”. This change has resulted in record membership activity since its August launch. Our goal is to make NETS membership more accessible to a wider variety of organizations providing increased value to both current and new NETS members through networking and sharing road safety best practices.

As I have pointed out on several occasions, whether you are embarking on a NEW road safety program, or managing and sustaining a more mature program, the NETS virtual conference combined with tangible benefits of membership represents a winning combination for all.

I thank you for your time and commitment to road safety and hope to see many of you during our upcoming conference.

Stay safe!


NETS ANNOUNCEMENTS
Two Weeks Left To Register for NETS 2020 Strength IN Numbers® Virtual Conference!

October 13-15, 2020

Mark your calendar! Join your peers at the only conference focused 
exclusively on employer road safety.

General Conference registration: $349*
Government/ Non-profit Organizations: $199*

*Organizations with 4 registered participants receive complimentary registration for all additional attendees. Contact Susan Gillies, NETS Marketing and Operations Director, for discount code.
Join us the week following the conference for NETS highly acclaimed Sector Meetings. Open to all NETS members and conference participants at no additional cost. 
NEW NETS MEMBERSHIP TIERS STRUCTURE!
NETS membership is now available in a tiered structure based on total global employee headcount.

Changing from a “one size fits all” membership pricing model will allow a more diverse membership profile, including expanded participation by international employers.

The challenges associated with reducing risk and saving lives on the nation’s roadways can never be under-estimated. NETS mission is to help employers tackle these challenges head-on as we work to improve road safety on our nation's and global roadways.
Level

Government/Non-profit
Tier I
Tier II
Tier III
No. of Employees

N/A
Up to 4,999
5,000 to 19,999
20,000+
Cost in USD

$295
$495**
$995
$1,595
NETS SPONSORS
NETS is proud to partner with the following PLATINUM Fleet Safety Sponsors:

eDriving is the driver risk management partner of choice for many of the world’s largest organizations, supporting over 1,000,000 drivers in 96 countries. Over the past 23 years, eDriving’s research-validated programs have been recognized with 70+ client awards around the world.

Mobile device distractions put employees in danger and companies at risk. So why would anyone settle for safety measures that simply report what went wrong, or only work when people remember to turn them on? TRUCE Software automatically suspends distracting mobile apps and functions depending on what your employee is doing, where they are working or even the workgroup they are part of. You define the policy and TRUCE ensures compliance when and where it’s needed. Supporting more than 100,000 subscribers and some of the largest brands worldwide, our patented technology is making workplaces everywhere safer.
Learn about all of NETS Fleet Safety Sponsors
LATEST ROAD SAFETY NEWS
California to Ban Sales of New Gas-Powered Cars by 2035

The proposal would speed up the state's efforts to fight global warming at a time when California is being battered by wildfires, heat waves and other consequences of climate change. California plans to ban the sale of new gasoline-powered cars...

Read more
www.nytimes.com
20% Jump in Motor Vehicle Death Rates First 6 Months of 2020

The U.S. experienced an estimated 20% jump in the death rate – an indicator of how safely drivers are using the roadways – between January and June 2020 compared to the same six-month period in 2019. The rate increase comes in spite of a 17% drop...

Read more
injuryfacts.nsc.org
WORKPLACE/ HOME ROAD SAFETY
Adapting Motor Vehicle Safety Practices During COVID-19

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a series of public health measures to slow disease spread have been implemented throughout the U.S. These measures have impacted many aspects of our lives, including road travel and safety.

Read more
www.cdc.gov
The Magic Words to Hopefully Unclog the Left Lane

We've been stuck behind them, muttered about them. We've sometimes yelled. Why, we've wondered, won't someone do something about the slug trespassing in the left lane? While 29 states have laws directed at left-lane lingerers-those who drive in...

Read more
www.caranddriver.com
Five Traits of Effective Fleet Leaders

Strategic plans for 2020 have been scrapped. We continue to press on through this unprecedented period of business volatility, where change is the only certainty. Businesses are forced to cope with the reality of our global pandemic and dynamic...

Read more
www.automotive-fleet.com
FMCSA Pilot Program: CMV Drivers Could Pause Service Hours

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is seeking public comment on a proposed pilot program that would allow commercial motor vehicle operators one rest break of up to three consecutive hours but no less than 30 minutes...

Read more
www.safetyandhealthmagazine...
Cuomo Signs Bill Expanding NY Seat Belt Law to Back Seat

A bill signed today by Gov. Andrew Cuomo will expand New York's seat-belt law to include all passengers in the back seat of motor vehicles, regardless of age. Until now, passengers age 16 and older were required to wear a seat belt only in the...

Read more
www.syracuse.com
TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
Mercedes-Benz Using Mixed Reality for Safer Vehicle Service

In an attempt to improve service speed and the safety of its workers, Mercedes-Benz is arming its dealership maintenance and service technicians with a new Mercedes-Benz Virtual Remote Support system powered by Microsoft HoloLens 2 and Dynamics...

Read more
www.cnet.com
Are Million-mile Batteries and Self-driving Cars Next?

It's been a banner year thus far for Tesla, which saw continued profits and a skyrocketing-albeit, contentious-valuation, despite COVID 19-related sales declines in the auto industry. Now, Tesla investors and industry experts are gearing up for...

Read more
www.fastcompany.com
Study Shows Front Crash Prevention Works for Large Trucks

Large trucks with forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking are much less likely to rear-end another vehicle, IIHS researchers found in a new study. Equipping large trucks with forward collision warning and...

Read more
www.iihs.org
GOVERNMENT AND NON-PROFIT
AGENCY NEWS
Tackling Impaired Driving: Guidance for fleet managers

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is one of the biggest killers on our roads. Employers have a legal, moral and social responsibility to ensure their drivers remain alcohol- and now, more importantly than ever, drug-free at the wheel...

Read more
projectedward.org
NIOSH Strategic Plan Released

The NIOSH Center for Motor Vehicle Safety published a strategic plan for 2020-2029. The plan identifies needed research for four priority industry sectors. For a quick overview of strategies and industry sectors, download the highlights.

Read more
www.cdc.gov
Road to Zero Coalition: Equity in Transportation Events

The Road to Zero Coalition is excited to announce an upcoming series of listening sessions exploring the intersection of equity and transportation safety. These Equity in Transportation Safety sessions, sponsored by Uber, are designed to begin...

Read more
www.nsc.org
INTERNATIONAL ROAD SAFETY
IndiaRAP Inaugural Newsletter Now Available

IndiaRAP is hosted by the Asian Institute of Transport Development ( AITD), an independent, not-for-profit organization devoted to capacity building, non-partisan research and regional cooperation in the infrastructure sector....

Read more
mailchi.mp
UNRSC Webinar: Ten Step Plan for Safer Road Infrastructure

On 9 September, the International Road Federation and hosted a United Nations Road Safety Collaboration (UNRSC) webinar on the Ten Step Plan for Safer Road Infrastructure .

Read more
irfnet.ch
Safety Rebooted: New Toyota Yaris Sets the Benchmark

Euro NCAP has returned with the result of the first car to be rated against its revamped 2020 protocols. Toyota's latest small family car, the Yaris, chalks up a full five stars. Toyota's fourth-generation Yaris emerges with flying colours from...

Read more
www.roadsafe.com
UK Festival of Road Safety 2020

The Festival will comprise a mix of keynote presentations, live debates, discussions & Q&A sessions, podcasts, workshops, fringe presentations and Into the archives: some of the best (and still topical) presentations from past...

Read more
roadsafetygb.org.uk
Winter Road Safety In The UK - Driving Advice

Weather conditions will always affect the way we drive, and this is especially true in winter. Not only do cold temperatures mean it can take more time for your vehicle to get started, but there are a range of challenges you could encounter -...

Read more
www.hendycarstore.co.uk
UPCOMING TRANSPORTATION SAFETY EVENTS
AND CAMPAIGNS
October: Distracted Driving Awareness Month

On a typical day, more than 700 people are injured in distracted driving crashes. Talking on a cell phone – even hands-free – diverts your attention away from driving. Keep yourself and others around you safe and #justdrive.

Read more
www.nsc.org
Rules for the Road: Teen Driver Safety Week

National Teen Driver Safety Week is October 18-24, 2020. This week - and every week, parents should have conversations with their teens about the important rules they need to follow to stay safe behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.

Read more
www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov
Everyone is a Pedestrian: October Is Pedestrian Safety Month

Whether it be in a parking lot, crosswalk, or on a road, everyone is a pedestrian. In 2018, there were 6,283 pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in the United States. Pedestrian deaths accounted for 17% of all traffic fatalities in 2018.

Read more
www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov
Halloween Impaired Driving Prevention

This Halloween, let’s make happy memories, not tragic nightmares. The only thing scarier than zombies and witches loose on the streets is an impaired driver. Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

Read more
www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov
Do you have a particularly successful road safety example to share? NETS Members are encouraged to share best practices, ask questions or contribute their expertise to the NETS Road Safety Leaders Forum, an online discussion forum exclusively for NETS Members and Sponsors. Not yet a member? Check out the benefits at www.trafficsafety.org/Membership.
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.
About NETSWork®
NETSWork is published electronically each month by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety, Susan Gillies, editor, and Joe McKillips, Executive Director.
Network of Employers for Traffic Safety
344 Maple Ave. West #357
Vienna, VA 22180
703-755-5350