February 2021

Summaries of timely road safety news, events, and alerts
Message from NETS' Executive Director, Joe McKillips
NETS members and fellow road safety colleagues,

How do we continue life as normal while living through a pandemic? This thought may have crossed many of your minds during the past months as we venture into yet another year living with the COVID-19 global pandemic. In many places across the globe, road fatalities have increased, and speeding has become more of a concern than ever despite reduced overall travel. Organizations have had to implement new policies and remain flexible to accommodate the changing environment. 

Throughout it all, I have seen how NETS member companies, Sponsors, and road safety advocates have remained dedicated to the mission of saving lives and advancing road safety. Road safety conferences are still taking place, driver training remains a priority, employees’ health and well-being have become an essential element of workplace programs…and the same holds true for NETS. 

We continue “life as normal”. We have begun planning not only our annual Strength IN Numbers® Road Safety Conference but will also be hosting our 2nd Latin America (LATAM) Regional Satellite Conference as a follow-up to our event in 2019. Due to the continued uncertainty posed by the pandemic, we will be holding each of the upcoming conferences in a VIRTUAL format once again. Each conference event will give attendees access to leading NETS road safety technical experts and Sponsor partners enabling participants to walk away with the latest developments in road safety training, leadership engagement and cutting-edge automotive safety technology. Regardless of your program's level of maturity, these conferences can provide you valuable insights into your current program.

In addition, due to last year’s tremendous popularity ꟷ returning for the third year in a row ꟷ a number of dedicated SECTOR road safety meetings will take place in conjunction with the annual conference in the areas of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), Insurance, Utility, Agriculture and Healthcare. These expanded networking opportunities will give conference attendees further access and insight into the latest sector-specific road safety priorities.

Further information regarding early-bird registration as well as preliminary conference agendas will be shared in the coming weeks. In the meantime, SAVE the DATE for these events!

As a final note, preparations are also well underway to launch our annual Strength IN Numbers® Benchmark report designed to capture employer road safety metrics and program activities. It is more important than ever during this challenging time to review road safety programs and priorities to ensure the safety of employees. The annual report represents one of the industry’s most comprehensive data collection efforts and is a vital component to any employer road safety program. Analysis of Benchmark data and related trends can not only reveal key areas of program need and improvement but can also lead to accelerated progress and efficiency in the implementation of road safety efforts. 

Data collection for the NETS Benchmark will remain open during the next few months so if you are not already a NETS member, now is a great time to join allowing the opportunity to participate in this year's annual benchmark process. 

I invite non-members to explore NETS member benefits and encourage you to join today to support your journey of reducing road safety risk across your organization. 

So how do we continue life as normal during this pandemic? By focusing on what matters such as the safety of our families and employees on the road. Thank you for your continued efforts and commitment to road safety. Stay well and drive safely!  
NETS ANNOUNCEMENTS
SAVE THE DATE!

NETS 2021
Strength IN Numbers Benchmark and
LATAM Regional Satellite Conferences

~ Dates Announced ~
As we continue our journey living with the COVID-19 global pandemic, the health and wellness of NETS members and fellow road safety colleagues remains of utmost priority. With the potential for various financial and travel limitations continuing in the months to come, the NETS Board of Directors has made the decision to conduct our 2021 annual NETS Strength IN Numbers® Road Safety Conference as well as our corresponding International Latin America (LATAM) Regional Satellite conference proceedings in a VIRTUAL environment.

With record-setting turnout during our 2020 Strength IN Numbers® Road Safety conference we again anticipate another high-quality and engaging learning experience for everyone this year!
NETS 2021 Latin America (LATAM) Regional Satellite Conference:

September 14 & 15
NETS 2021 Strength IN Numbers® Annual Road Safety Conference:

October 19, 20, & 21
Mark Your Calendar Now!
Stay tuned for more information regarding registration, speaker line-ups, virtual Sponsor exhibits, and more!
NETS MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
UPS Inducts 1,412 Of Its Safest Drivers Into Circle Of Honor

UPS announced the induction of 1,412 men and women into the Circle of Honor, an elite group of UPS drivers who have been among the safest drivers on the road, and have not had an avoidable accident for 25 years or more.

Read more
stories.ups.com
NETS SPONSORS
NETS is proud to partner with the following PLATINUM Fleet Safety Sponsors:

eDrivingSM helps organizations to reduce collisions, injuries, license violations and total cost of fleet ownership through a patented digital driver risk management program.
Mentor by eDriving is a smartphone-based solution that collects and analyzes driver behaviors most predictive of crash risk and helps remediate risky behavior by providing engaging, interactive micro-training modules delivered directly to the driver in the smartphone app. As part of a broader risk management platform, Virtual Risk Manager®, eDriving provides organizations with everything they need to establish safety as a strategic imperative, and support drivers and managers as they strive to create a crash-free culture®.
eDriving is the digital 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 25 years, eDriving’s research-validated programs have been recognized with over 100 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
Vehicle Choice Explains Greater Injury Risk to Women

Women are more likely than men to suffer serious injuries in crashes, but the reasons may not be physical. Women are much more likely than men to suffer a serious injury when they are involved in a crash, but much of the...

Read more
www.iihs.org
States with the Most & Least Distracted Drivers

New Mexico ranks as the state with the most distracted drivers, while Arkansas is the state with the least distracted drivers, according to a study by Whistleout. New Mexico ranked the highest with drivers spending over 8% of their driving time...

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www.automotive-fleet.com
WORKPLACE/ HOME ROAD SAFETY
Tips for Driving Safely Around Trucks

The inherent limitations of commercial vehicles, including large blind spots and long stopping distances, make them especially dangerous when it comes to road accidents. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the...

Read more
azbigmedia.com
FMCSA Extends Pandemic-Related Hours-of-Service Exemptions

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration says temporary hours-of-service exemptions and other "regulatory relief" will continue for commercial motor vehicle drivers transporting items intended to assist in COVID-19 pandemic...

Read more
www.safetyandhealthmagazine...
Preparing for the Coming Wave of Electrified Vehicles

Rocky Mountain Institute's report, Steep Climb Ahead-How Fleet Managers Can Prepare for the Coming Wave of Electrified Vehicles, finds that major fleet managers have begun electrifying their fleets, which will ultimately save them money and...

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rmi.org
Effects of Payload and Towing on Commercial EV Range

Electrification is finally reaching the commercial vehicle market, with launches of new electric truck and van models starting later this year and ramping up in 2022. These new choices are great for the market, fleet operators, and the environment.

Read more
www.fleetforward.com
Underground Parking Garages: Are They Safe?

Using a parking garage is a thing that most people do without even thinking about it. If you are driving a car in a big city, it is pretty much a necessity. However, it is important to be aware of the fact that many potential dangers exist in...

Read more
www.eyeonannapolis.net
TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
Evidence Mounts for Effectiveness of Rear Autobrake

Front automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems have greater potential to save lives, but rear AEB is saving drivers the hassle and expense of many a fender bender, an updated analysis from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) shows.

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www.iihs.org
To the List of Places Testing Driverless Cars, Add Las Vegas

The list of companies testing self-driving cars on American roads is getting longer. On Monday, the automotive technology start-up Motional revealed that its vehicles have been roaming the streets of Las Vegas this month without a driver at the...

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www.washingtonpost.com
How Fleets are Keeping Driver Safety in Check with ADAS

Closely addressing the perennial concerns of fleet safety is an area that has been essential to many successful fleets over the years, not just with the adoption of telematics solutions that help monitor driver behaviors, but also the...

Read more
www.automotive-fleet.com
States with the Most (and Least) EV Chargers Per Capita

The number of public electric vehicle (EV) chargers across the country has been growing. As of November 2020, Vermont had the highest number of public chargers per capita with 114 EV chargers per 100,000 people...

Read more
www.energy.gov
GOVERNMENT AND NON-PROFIT
AGENCY NEWS
CDC Vaccine Toolkit for Employers Now Available!

Employers can use a new CDC toolkit to build confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine for their essential workers. The toolkit contains key messages, an educational slide deck, FAQ’s, a template letter for employees, social media content and more.

Read more
www.cdc.gov
Distracted Driving Deaths Increase, New Research Available

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) today announced the release of the inaugural Behavioral Traffic Safety Cooperative Research Program (BTSCRP) report, Using Electronic Devices While Driving: Legislation and Enforcement Implications...

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www.ghsa.org
Road to Zero Coalition 2020 Report

In 2020, our roads became emptier, but they also became riskier. We faced a reckoning over systemic inequality. Road to Zero Coalition members met the roadwa...

Read more
www.youtube.com
INTERNATIONAL ROAD SAFETY
Webinar Series: Good Practices by Prince Michael Winners

Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards recognise outstanding innovation and achievement. March 2021 sees two webinars featuring case studies behind 2020 Prince Michael International Road Safety Award winners. The first on 16 March is...

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www.roadsafe.com
2021 Overview: New EVs You Must Consider for Your Fleet

If anything, the EV market is expanding rapidly, mainly in the shape of crossovers and towards lower market segments. EV prices now start at €17k (plus VAT, before incentives), but this threshold will lower even further. TCO parity (or supremacy) ...

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www.fleeteurope.com
UK Van Driver Toolkit

With more than 4 million vans registered in the UK, it is a common misconception that there is no legislation governing van drivers and van operations. Due to their size and weight, vans can be driven and used for anything - right?...

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www.drivingforbetterbusines...
How Can Telematics Help Your LATAM Fleet? 10 Expert Tips

The usage of telematics has been at the forefront of finding safer and more efficient ways of vehicle fleet management for some time, and with the demands of today's ever-changing world, it looks like this innovative solution will be with us for...

Read more
www.globalfleet.com
AIP Foundation Global Newsletter Jan 2021

Dear Friends and Supporters, We're starting the year off positive, with guided action towards accelerated changes, in road safety. That begins with listening to the youth and embracing the space for our youth to lead and drive change .

Read more
archive.benchmarkemail.com
UPCOMING TRANSPORTATION SAFETY EVENTS
AND CAMPAIGNS
Virtual 2021 NSC Congress & Expo: March 1-5

For more than 100 years, safety, health and environmental professionals have turned to this safety event for industry-leading technology, education, networking opportunities and the tried and true products and services needed to stay at the...

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congress.nsc.org
Vehicle Safety Recalls Week: March 8-12

Cars. Trucks. Vans. Motorcycles. Car Seats. Whatever you're driving, or whatever equipment you're using, nothing is more important than safety - yours and everyone else's. At NHTSA, ensuring safety is our most important mission. Making roads...

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www.nhtsa.gov
420 Impaired Driving Prevention

Although its origins are uncertain, April 20th (more commonly known as 420) has become synonymous with marijuana use and, in some circles, the date is a marijuana “holiday.” On Tuesday, April 20, 2021, there will likely be an increase in...

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www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov
April Is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Distracted driving has become a deadly epidemic on our roads. While drivers texting behind the wheel tops what seems like an endless list of distractions, other risky actions include adjusting the radio, applying makeup, drinking coffee, and...

Read more
www.nhtsa.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
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