Best and Brightest
In the U.S., preliminary data for 2020 shows that while vehicle miles driven were down, crash rates increased. Transportation incidents continue to be the leading cause of occupational fatalities. The most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data from 2019 show an increase in transportation-related occupational fatalities. Of those killed on the job, nearly 1 in 5 were employed as a driver/sales worker or truck driver.
Texas transportation-related occupational fatalities increased and accounted for 47% of all occupational fatalities in the state. The national average is 40%. It’s time for Texas employers to bring their A Game in a continuing effort to make workplace transportation and driver safety a priority. Here are a couple of ideas to help strengthen your programs and encourage safe driver behavior on and off the job:
- Use your phone to scan this QR code and visit the newly updated Our Driving Concern website. It is much easier to navigate and has new and updated resources for employer safety.
- You asked for it, and now you have it! The Training Center has new webinar offerings, as well as access to the NEW learning management system (LMS).
In the LMS, a username and login is all you need to register for online training. After completing a session, employees will earn a certificate for their employee file – good for morale. You can easily track courses and points through the online dashboard. And the gamification learning is beyond fun and engaging.
New resources are continually added on the Our Driving Concern website. Posters and safety coach cards, Toilet Tabloids, graphics and looping video files all provide visual reminders to reinforce safe driving behaviors. Safety Huddles are safety talks you can grab and go.
Safer drivers reduce employer costs and exposure to liability, but most of all reduce injuries and deaths — a win for everyone.
Be Our Guest
We’re saving you a seat! Make plans now to attend our next free online training session: Alcohol and Inhalants: A DITTE Deep Dive. The session runs from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 17. Drug Impairment Training for Texas Employers is a staff-development program for risk managers, safety leaders, supervisors and managers.
We will explore the effects of alcohol and other drugs on driving and workplace performance. We will talk about the lifestyle impacts of a DWI-alcohol arrest and the benefits of preventative training for employers and employees.
Businesses pay a high price for alcohol and drug misuse. Think about this:
- Alcohol is a contributing factor in 39% of all work-related traffic crashes
- One person is killed every hour in a drunk-driving crash on U.S. roads
- Nearly one-third of all traffic fatalities across the country involve drunk driving
- Research indicates 3 in 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash during their lifetime
The National Safety Council and NORC at the University of Chicago found the annual cost of an untreated substance use disorder ranges from $8,255 to $14,000 per employee, depending on their industry and role.
How prevalent are these issues? Research from the DWI Resource Center indicates:
- More than 16 million Americans use illicit drugs
- 11 million are heavy drinkers
- 75% are employed full-time and nearly half work for small business
Here are two ways to create change at your location:
- Enact or upgrade drug-free workplace policies to include opioid testing
- Use the NSC Substance Use Cost Calculator to calculate the real cost of substance use in your workforce
During our online training, you will be directed to free resources to help you raise awareness of risks associated with alcohol and drug misuse, as well as promote safe behaviors. Don’t miss it!