Free Training, Fewer Tragedies
On May 1, safety leaders across the U.S. observe National Heatstroke Awareness Day. The goal is to raise awareness of safety risks involving kids and hot cars. Why is this observance important to you?
- Over the last three decades, more than 1,000 children have died after being left unattended or becoming trapped in a hot car
- Nearly one-quarter of child hot-car deaths occur in workplace parking lots – at daycare centers, big-box retailers and corporate offices
Many of these incidents result from:
- Changes in normal drop-off routines
- Driver distraction or stress
- A quiet, sleeping infant left unintentionally behind
According to data tracked by Jan Null, a certified consulting meteorologist and adjunct professor at San José State University:
- 52.9% of pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths involve a forgotten child
- Null’s findings are published at noheatstroke.org
- Texas continues to lead the nation in total child hot-car fatalities
These tragedies can happen to any caregiver – and often involve otherwise attentive, loving parents.
What You Can Do
In the workplace, you can help prevent tragedies by providing training and education. One of the best places to start: a FREE 15-minute online course offered by the National Safety Council.
The course is available in English and Spanish, is ideal for quick awareness-building during the workday and is well-suited for:
- Parents and caregivers
- Employees who transport children
- Healthcare providers and first responders
- Safety advocates involved in car seat or child safety programs
- Aspiring child passenger safety technicians
- Drivers participating in court diversion programs for child passenger safety violations
Easy Enrollment
Employers can reinforce their commitment to community and family safety by offering this training organization-wide.
- Enroll your entire team at once
- Track participation and completion
- Integrate training into safety talks, wellness initiatives or May awareness campaigns
To get started, complete this group delivery of courses request form.
It’s easy to make heatstroke prevention part of your safety culture. One short training. One important conversation. And potentially, one less tragedy.
Have Fun, Be Safe
Warmer weather brings out more motorcycle riders. Let’s increase our efforts to prioritize road safety during Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month this May. Let’s focus on sharing the road responsibility to prevent crashes and injuries. Crashes – whether they occur on or off the job – can disrupt any organization, leading to everything from lost workdays and decreased productivity to higher insurance premiums.
Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable in traffic, and simple driving decisions can make the difference between a close call and a fatal crash.
Awareness Matters
An average of one motorcyclist dies every day on Texas roads, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. In 2024 alone, 581 riders were killed and 2,534 were seriously injured. That’s nearly seven serious injuries every day.
- More than half of fatal motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle.
- In many cases, drivers simply don’t see the motorcycle or misjudge its distance or speed – a common issue due to motorcycles’ smaller size and lower profile.
Congested roadways, distracted driving and visibility challenges have led to many preventable tragedies, reinforcing the need for heightened awareness behind the wheel.
Safety Tips
Drivers can significantly reduce crash risk by following these proven safety practices:
- Take extra care when making left turns: It’s safest to allow motorcycles to pass rather than turning in front of them
- Pay special attention at intersections: About 40% of motorcycle fatalities occur at intersections
- Eliminate distractions: Even a brief lapse in attention – like adjusting the radio or answering a phone – can cause a mishap
- Train yourself to notice motorcycles: Actively look for them when scanning traffic
- Look twice before changing lanes: Use turn signals and check mirrors and blind spots
- Don’t tailgate: Motorcycles can reduce speed by downshifting without activating brake lights
- Give motorcycles a full lane: Never crowd or share a lane when passing
- Slow down: Speed increases crash severity for all road users
Ready-Made Help
Get free resources to help you spread the safety message:
- 30-second TxDOT video: Look Twice for Motorcycles — Invisible
- Vintage safety poster: Look Twice for Bikes
- Social Media: Graphics and videos
Crash Trends
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports motorcyclist fatality rates are 28 times higher than passenger vehicle occupants per miles traveled. Speeding and alcohol impairment continue to be major factors, underscoring the importance of defensive, attentive driving.
Promoting motorcycle awareness is a simple, effective step Texas employers and safety leaders can take to help save lives.
Young Drivers, Safe Habits
You’re invited! Join us Wednesday, May 6, for our next FREE online webinar: Young Drivers in the Workplace – Building Safe Habits Early.
National Safety Council Senior Program Managers Laura Salvidar-Hill and DeAnn Crane will focus on helping young drivers build safe habits from the first day on the job and examine road safety risks through a workplace safety lens.
Who Should Attend?
This session is designed for employers, safety leaders and early-career workers. You will be guided through steps to support young drivers in developing responsible behaviors, reducing risk and building confidence behind the wheel, both on and off the job.
What to Expect
Salvidar-Hill and Crane will highlight FREE resources available through the Our Driving Concern employer traffic safety program, including the Young Drivers online training course. The course is available through the Our Driving Concern learning management system and can be integrated easily into employee onboarding or regular safety training programs.
You’ll also learn about DriveitHOME, a program of the National Safety Council geared toward increasing parent and caregiver involvement in the driver education process.
