In coordination with 2012 Drive Safely Work Week (DSWW), the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) has released a free comprehensive online toolkit to help companies improve the driving safety of employees, employee family members, and the members of the communities in which the organizations operate.

The theme for DSWW this year, which is scheduled October 1-5, 2012, is “Back to Basics—Your Keys to Safe Driving”. It incorporates proven safe-driving practices from NETS board and fleet safety benchmark member companies.

The campaign was developed using results from NETS’ 2011 STRENGTH IN NUMBERS fleet safety benchmark study. The study involved a collective fleet of 500,000 vehicles and nearly 10 billion miles traveled. Using the study results and other sources, NETS identified safety issues common to fleet drivers and compared them to crash data for the general population, including teen drivers.

"Employers are able to reach up to half of the American people, and their support in promoting safe driving habits both on and off the job is critical," said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood.

“No matter how many years of experience we have or how much driving we do, there are fundamental behind-the-wheel skills and behaviors that need to be continually practiced,” said Jack Hanley, NETS executive director.

The DSWW campaign focuses on the following issues:

• Buckling up all the time and encouraging others to do the same;
• Recognizing and preventing fatigue-impaired driving;
• Driving distraction-free;
• Safe parking and backing; and
• Fine-tuning the fundamentals to avoid some of the most common types of crashes.

The free DSWW toolkit provides easy-to-use Web-based resources, including facts and tips on each of the issue areas, downloadable graphics, and activities tailored for each day of the campaign week.

Related resource: HR.BLR.com offers motor vehicle training materials under the training tab.