Safety Stars
At the TxDOT Traffic Safety Conference in Austin, DeAnn Crane and April Ramos introduced the 2024 Our Driving Concern Texas Employer Traffic Safety award winners. Fifteen employers were recognized by the National Safety Council for their commitment to road safety in three categories:
Exemplary
- Chalk Mountain Services
- Indeca Crude Xpress
- Pioneer Natural Resources
- Texas Mutual Insurance Company
Award Recipients
- Ace Fluid Solutions
- City of Arlington
- City of Irving
- City of San Antonio
- CPS Energy
- Goodfellow Air Force Base: 17th Training Wing
- Star Shuttle
Honorable Mention
- Baker Triangle
- Frank Bartel Transportation
- Raintree Roll Off Services
- Texcon General Contractors
All 15 have enacted safe-driving policies and invested in road-safety education and training. They are striving to keep their employees and residents in the communities where they live and work safe. In the last year, their efforts have helped move the safety needle in a positive direction.
Traffic fatalities decreased by 2.8% in 2023 in Texas, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. Still, one person was injured in a crash every 2 minutes 6 seconds, and one reportable crash occurred every 56 seconds. So, there is more work to be done, and these safety-minded organizations will be relied on to lead the way.
“We’re proud to call these Texas employers safety leaders and partners on the Road to Zero,” National Safety Council Senior Program Manager Katie Mueller said. “That’s zero crashes, zero injuries and zero fatalities – our ultimate goal. They have implemented evidence-based policies and comprehensive workplace safety programs. They’re saving money and saving lives. They’re proof that road safety is good for business and good for people.”
Watch/share this tribute video: 2024 Our Driving Concern Texas Employer Traffic Safety Awards.
Go from good to great: Model these best practices our award recipients highlighted in their transportation safety programs.
Challenge yourself to get up on the awards podium next year. Keep this old saying close to your heart: The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more.
Path Forward
Join us during Child Passenger Safety Week (Sept. 15-21) as we work to create safer roads and reinforce the importance of child occupant protection. Nearly 600 children under the age of 13 were killed in crashes across the U.S. in 2022, according to data analyzed by the National Safety Council. Almost 200 were unrestrained and many others were inadequately restrained at the time of the crash.
Let’s work to get all kids buckled up by raising awareness and providing education and training. Here are three ways you can participate during Child Passenger Safety Week and show how much you care for your employees and their family members:
- Invite parents and caregivers to meet with Child Passenger Safety Technicians during a car seat checkup event at your location on National Seat Check Saturday (Sept. 21) – or partner with a local agency (Head Start, daycare center, fire department, etc.).
- Introduce parents and caregivers on your team to the National Safety Council Child Passenger Safety Learning Portal and Safety Connection. This is the place where parents can meet with a technician online and learn how to install their car seat correctly. The service is free and appointments are available in English and Spanish.
- Download free materials to support your safety outreach initiatives, including educational flyers, car seat icons and images, fact sheets and social media assets.
Additionally, add free online training from the National Safety Council to your workplace training portfolio. Promote professional development at your social service agency or within your police department. Car Seat Basics is available in two versions, one for a general education audience and one for those working in law enforcement and community safety.
This online training is designed help to users build greater understanding of rear-facing and forward-facing car seat use, as well as booster seat and seat belt use. Proof of completion is provided after online users finish all training modules. The training may be completed incrementally or all at once – plan for about 60 minutes total. You can easily get everyone on your team involved, too. Group delivery is available for all general education courses in the Child Passenger Safety Learning Portal by completing this request form.
When kids are buckled, the roads are safer. Our future is brighter. This is your chance to impact change. Light the path forward.