BINGHAMTON, NY - One of every five drivers on America’s roadways is involved in a roadway crash each year. Most roadway crashes are preventable. Many of these incidents involve employees who drive for work, even more involve employees who drive to and from work.

Driving is an everyday activity, but it is a serious responsibility and deserves the full and undivided attention of all drivers. That is why the Broome County Health Department and the Broome County Traffic Safety Board are teaming up with employers across the nation to promote the 10th annual Drive Safely Work Week campaign October 2-6, 2006.

Sponsored by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS), Drive Safely Work Week is a nationally observed campaign designed to help employers emphasize the importance of driving safely both on and off the job to reduce preventable crashes. The theme for this year’s campaign “Safe Driving is Your Responsibility. Make the Commitment.” promotes ten positive steps for responsible driving:

• Plan YOUR Route
• Maintain YOUR Vehicle
• Focus YOUR Attention
• Minimize YOUR Distractions
• Know YOUR Surroundings
• Share YOUR Space
• Watch YOUR Speed
• Keep YOUR Distance
• Signal YOUR Intentions
• Always Wear YOUR Seatbelt

Informed drivers make better decisions that keep roads safer. Driving is a continual learning process; participation in this campaign may remind or prompt a driver to engage in a safe driving practice that could save their life, or the life of someone else. Since drivers cannot control the actions of the other drivers on the road they must rely on their own driving skills, knowledge, and experience.

Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death and injury in the nation’s workforce with the average crash costing an employer $16,500. Last year, 43,200 people were killed in traffic crashes and almost three million were injured, costing employers nationally $60 billion.

“One of the best ways to keep our employees safe on the road and reduce our risk is to educate them about safety and promote safe driving practices,” said Christine Muss, Traffic Safety Coordinator for the Broome County Health Department.

During this special week, organizations and businesses in Broome County such as Maines Paper & Food Service, Inc, BW Elliott Manufacturing, L-3 Communications, Huron Real Estate, NYSEG, Security Mutual and the Broome County Health Department, will demonstrate its commitment to protecting the health and well being of its most valuable assets--its employees. These companies and organizations will be encouraging safe driving behaviors by distributing educational materials, provided by the Broome County Traffic Safety Board, with their paychecks that week and displaying flyers and posters that contain important safety messages.

“The Broome County Health Department proudly supports this year’s Drive Safely Work Week,” said Claudia Edwards, Director of the Broome County Health Department. “We recognize that it is important for all of our employees to take a few minutes each day to hear this safety message and to know what to anticipate…from your vehicle, the roadway and yourself.”

For more information about Drive Safely Work Week 2006 or for information about safe driving habits please call Christine Muss at the Broome County Health Department at 607.778.2807 or visit the Network of Employers Traffic Safety website at www.trafficsafety.org.