Prioritizing road safety during National Safety Month
The warm weather is finally here and families across the country are hitting the road to enjoy the summer sun. With an increase in cars on the road, summer is an important time of year to remind ourselves of the personal responsibility we all have while we share the road.
According to the National Safety Council, last year, more than 40,000 people lost their lives because of motor vehicle accidents, and the three biggest causes of death in these cases were from alcohol, speeding and distracted driving. Unfortunately, these accidents and tragic losses of life were all preventable, which is why it’s so important that when we’re behind the wheel, we all remain calm and focused, and operate responsibly and at safe speeds and distances.
Throughout June, we observe National Safety Month, which includes an emphasis on promoting safe driving; a priority that the trucking industry is committed to. Besides our drivers’ individual commitment to safety, each year, the industry spends at least $9.5 billion on safety technology and we continue to unite to advocate for proper investments in our infrastructure on the local, state and federal level to ensure the highest safety standards on our roads.
The industry also educates the motoring public on safe driving through programs like ATA’s Share the Road program, and we celebrate our driver’s commitment to safety by honoring drivers with excellent safety records through awards such as Truckload Carriers Association’s Fleet Safety Awards, Pilot Flying J’s Road Warrior program and ATA’s National Truck Driving Championships.
Finally, we can’t forget our industry’s symbol of safety, our mascot Safety Sammy who represents the safety we strive for while our drivers are on the road, not only during the busy summer months, but year-round.
This summer season, whether it’s a truck delivery or family trip, please remember that we all share a responsibility when on the road to not only keep ourselves and our families safe, but to protect those driving next to us as well.
