The United States Postal Service is offering safe driving tips to Americans Memorial Day weekend and highlighting the importance of employee training programs.
For a Limited Time receive a
FREE HR Report "Top 10 Best Practices in HR Management." This comprehensive special report will give you the information you need to know about these current HR challenges and how to most effectively manage them in your workplace.
Download NowHere are a few tips:
- Drive defensively — expect the unexpected.
- Maintain a safe distance of one car length for every 10 mph between you and the car in front of you.
- Be courteous, use turn signals and obey all laws.
- Keep your options open — have a ‘what do I do if I’m cut off’ strategy.
- Turn off mobile devices when driving — no cell phones or texting.
Emphasis on Employee Training. According to the National Safety Council, nearly 7,100 postal employees have achieved a unique distinction most of us never approach in a lifetime — driving more than a million, accident-free miles.
“We place the safety of our employees as our top priority,” said Deborah Giannoni-Jackson, vice president, Employee Resource Management. “And we credit our comprehensive safe driver training program as being second to none.”
The Postal Service requires all drivers to demonstrate safe driving practices throughout their careers. Behind-the-wheel job candidates undergo a rigorous screening, training, and certification process to earn credentials to operate a right-hand drive postal vehicle.
After a review of state driving records, candidates undergo a thorough medical examination and an extensive interview process. They then take a web-based four-hour defensive driving training course, followed by a one-hour defensive driving debrief conducted by driver safety instructors who reinforce key safe driving topics covered in the web-based course.
Candidates then become familiar with the vehicle through behind-the-wheel training in a mock driving course. The skills course acclimates candidates to driving postal vehicles under various conditions on an “off-road” course that simulates street conditions. Their performance is evaluated on a final drive prior to becoming certified to operate postal vehicles.
Information on the National Safety Council’s Safe Driver Program is located at www.nsc.org/usps.