Safety Coach
Weather the Storm
In recent days, high winds, rain, sleet and snow have moved through Amarillo, the Texas Panhandle and many other parts of the state. Sloppy driving conditions can make it hazardous for commuters to get to and from work, and for company drivers to call on accounts, transport goods or make deliveries.
In 2022, two factors related to driving in inclement weather contributed to more than 140,000 crashes on Texas roads, according to the Texas Department of Transportation:
- Impaired visibility: 3,981
- Failure to control speed: 136,165
That’s more than 380 crashes every day. True, not all of those crashes occurred in bad weather. But to ensure your coworkers are prepared for winter travel, this is a good time to share these safe driving tips from TxDOT:
- Slow down: Speed limits are set for normal conditions, not for inclement weather
- Back off: Maintain three times the normal following distance on snow or ice
- Ease off the pedals: If your vehicle starts to slide, ease off the gas or brake, steer in the direction of the skid until you have regained traction, then straighten your vehicle
- Watch for road crews: Stay at least 200 feet behind snow plows
Use these free resources to boost continuing education efforts at your location:
- Ready-made safety talk: Use our Traffic Safety Huddle sheet to lead a brief discussion on the importance of driving at safe speeds in all conditions
- Journey management: Create engagement by enrolling employees in this 20-minute online course that highlights journey management principles and presents scenarios that contrast best practices versus poor planning
- Vintage safety: Download and display our Pro Drivers Make Every Mile Safe poster
- Watch: Share this one-minute driver behavior safety series video
- Current conditions: Visit Drive Texas to check on current highway conditions
Let’s all get through this season safely and look toward the future: The first day of Spring is March 19!
Tailgate Talk
Voice of Reason
Please join us during National Passenger Safety Week Jan. 21-27 as we double down on efforts to keep all road users safe. Start by talking about co-pilot rights. Passengers in the front seat can:
- Prevent driver distraction by operating the radio, setting the GPS and keeping an eye out for signs, landmarks, traffic congestion or potential safety hazards
- Speak up to keep the driver focused, and say no to any behavior that draws the driver’s attention away from driving
Be sure to review your organization’s policies on distracted driving and seat belt use. Then, download and display these two free infographics to keep the safety message front and center:
You can go a step further with these free resources from We Save Lives and the National Road Safety Foundation:
- Toolkit: Stocked with tools to help you promote national passenger safety awareness
- Pledge: Encourage everyone you know to sign the “Courage to Intervene Promise” and help save lives
Finally, introduce free training from the National Safety Council to keep children safe in cars as they grow. Car Seat Basics is a 60-minute online course that covers rear-facing and forward-facing car seat use, as well as booster seat and seat belt use.
The course is available in English and Spanish and is intended to be used as:
- Awareness training for parents, caregivers and employees
- A prerequisite for those working in car seat distribution programs
- An introductory training for anyone interested in becoming a child passenger safety technician
- Organizational training for people transporting children
- Training for medical staff, fire/emergency medical services personnel and law enforcement personnel
Group delivery is available. Visit cpsboard.org/trainings, or set up a group by completing the group delivery of courses request form.
All passengers deserve safe transportation. Some can speak up louder than others.