(NOVEMBER 11, 2010 -- PRINCETON, NJ) – NAFA Fleet Management Association was personally thanked for its support in the fight to eliminate distracted driving by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). NAFA was lauded for its role in promoting the annual "Drive Safely Work Week" campaign sponsored by The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS). This year's campaign focused on the issue of distracted driving – an issue of great importance to the Members of NAFA who collectively manage several million vehicles traveling on North American roads each day.
In a letter sent to NAFA Executive Director Phillip E. Russo, CAE, the Association was thanked by Michael Brown, Director, Office of Impaired Driving and Occupant Protection, National Highway Traffic Safety (NHTSA) Administration. Brown's letter was in response to a letter of support sent by Russo to Secretary Ray LaHood prior to this year's Drive Safely Work Week campaign.
While distracted driving is not a new issue, the increasing prevalence of in-vehicle technologies along with the growing capabilities of smart phones and other handheld devices has increased the frequency with which today's drivers are tempted to take their minds off their driving. The situation becomes even more dangerous when drivers take their eyes off the road and their hands off the wheel.
The letter to Russo discussed a few of the bills introduced in Congress to combat distracted driving and mentioned programs and initiatives that the Department of Transportation (DOT) and NHTSA support to help decrease distracted driving behaviors.
"Safety is the highest priority of the Department, and our work continues in the fight to eliminate distracted driving," wrote Brown. "The Secretary and I thank NAFA Fleet Management Association for its support in combating distracted driving. We are encouraged by the efforts of concerned citizens like you to help eliminate distracted driving by spreading the word of its dangers. Hopefully, all of us working together will make a difference in this disturbing trend."
"Drive Safely Work Week" encourages businesses to utilize a campaign toolkit to help educate employees on how to be safer drivers. The toolkit features facts on distracted driving, interactive quizzes and tools, daily activities and communication messages, and downloadable posters for the office. NAFA annually supports the campaign through a series of articles in the Association's print and online publications, press releases, and email blasts to the Membership.
About NAFA Fleet Management Association
NAFA Fleet Management Association is a not-for-profit, individual membership professional society serving the needs of members who manage fleets of sedans, public safety vehicles, trucks, and buses of all types and sizes, and a wide range of military and off-road equipment for organizations across the globe. NAFA is the association for the diverse vehicle fleet management profession regardless of organizational type, geographic location or fleet composition. NAFA's Full and Associate Members are responsible for the specification, acquisition, maintenance and repair, fueling, risk management, and remarketing of more than 3.5 million vehicles including in excess of 1.1 million trucks of which 350 thousand are medium- and heavy-duty trucks. For more information visit http://www.nafa.org
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