August 2011

Monthly Archive

Sun 21 Aug 2011

Have You Ever Heard of NETS?

Posted by Allan under Auto Collisions , Awareness , Distracted Driving , Employee Safety , Fleet Safety , National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , National Safety Council , Safety 24/7 , Transportation , Travel , non-profits
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What do think NETS is?  A tennis game, Part of the NBA, a new reality show?  Not really, NETS stands for Network of Employers for Traffic Safety.  So, have you ever heard of NETS?  Probably not.

Do you have any employees who drive for your business or organization?   Maybe you have some employees who drive to and from work.  NETS is dedicated to improving the health and safety of employees, their families and the community by preventing traffic crashes that occur both on- and off-the-job.  Why should we be so concerned about employees who drive?  Because Motor Vehicle Collisions are the #1 cause of employee/worker death and injury in the US.  Nothing is even close. It is also the most costly injury to any company/organization according to the National Safety Council”s Injury and Facts publication.

The Board members of NETS include:

Abbott

AmeriFleet Transportation

Chubb Group of Insurance Companies

The Coca-Cola Company

Johnson & Johnson

Liberty Mutual Insurance Group

Monsanto

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company

UPS

In just over a month NETS will be sponsoring National Drive Safely Work Week, October 3-7.

Focus 360° – Getting there safely is everyone’s responsibility.

The 2011 campaign is focused on the dangers of distracted driving— but not just from the position of the driver. The new materials also help consider the roles and responsibilities of being a safe passenger, pedestrian and cyclist in preventing distracted driving-related incidents. If you want more information, go to NETS website.

 

Sat 13 Aug 2011

Tips for safe wet weather driving

Posted by Allan under Auto Collisions , Driver Safety , Family Safety , Federal Motor Carrier Safety (FMCS) , Fleet Safety , National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , Safety , Safety 24/7 , Trips
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RAIN IS blamed for thousands of accidents each year and driving on wet roads is particularly hazardous. While it is impossible to completely eliminate the risks, it is entirely possible to reduce the factors that lead to accidents by understanding the difference between driving in fair and foul weather.

The film of water on wet asphalt causes tires to lose traction. Rain reduces driver perception and decreases visibility. Floods bring about debris and make vehicles prone to road hazards. Altering your driving style and being prepared with such things as properly working windshield wipers and a road hazard kit are wise.

As part of its road safety advocacy, the Compliance Resource Center offers these tips to avoid motor vehicle incidents

• Routinely check your tires. Make sure you keep your tires properly inflated. Because rain causes floods that bring about debris, checking your tires’ grip and toughness become very important. Check your tire’s tread depth as proper tread depth prevents skids and aquaplaning.

• Slow down. As rain falls, water mixes with grime and oil on the road creating slippery conditions. Driving at a slower pace allows more of the tire’s tread to stay in contact with the road.

• Know how to recover from a skid. Don’t slam on the brakes. Do not pump the brakes if you have an anti-lock braking system (ABS). Apply firm, steady pressure and steer the car in the direction of the skid.

• Keep your distance from the car ahead. It takes about three times longer to brake on wet roads than it does on dry roads.

• Drive in the tracks of a car ahead of you. Whenever possible, slow down by taking your foot off the accelerator. Turn your headlights on.

• Learn how to avoid and deal with aquaplaning. If you find yourself aquaplaning, do not brake or turn suddenly. Ease your foot off the accelerator until the car slows and you can feel the road again. If you need to brake, do so gently with light pumping actions. If your car has ABS, then brake normally.

• If the rain becomes too heavy, stop! When visibility is so limited that the edges of the road or other vehicles cannot be seen at a safe distance, it is time to pull over and wait for the rain to ease up. Keep your headlights on and turn on your hazard warning lights to alert other drivers.

• Dry your brakes after driving through standing water. If you have driven through standing water deep enough to get your brake shoes wet, apply the brakes lightly to dry them.

• Prepare for your journey. Wet weather driving demands gentle use of all the main controls and a larger allowance for errors and emergencies.