Celebrate Safety
Safety is a cornerstone of thriving communities and workplaces, and it deserves to be celebrated. For the first time, Our Driving Concern, a program of the National Safety Council funded by the Ohio Traffic Safety Office, will spotlight Ohio employers who prioritize traffic safety. Through a NEW awards recognition program, Our Driving Concern and NSC will honor Ohio safety leaders who promote employee safe driving behaviors both on and off the job.
Are you ready to be recognized as a road-safety leader? Beginning Feb. 17, you will be able to apply for the 2025 Our Driving Concern Ohio Employer Traffic Safety Awards.
The goal is to reduce injuries and fatalities caused by crashes on Ohio roads, and any Ohio employer is eligible. The deadline to apply is April 30.
- Before you apply, get answers to all your questions
- Be sure to download our promotional flyer Feb. 17 and share this opportunity with outstanding organizations you partner with so they can apply, too
Employers who integrate traffic safety discussions into daily workplace operations not only protect their workforce, they also protect their bottom line. Promoting company policies, educational resources and incentives for safe driving habits makes practical sense, and it saves dollars and cents.
You’re also sending a powerful message about your commitment to employees and their families. These efforts can position your organization as a role model in the broader community, and this new Our Driving Concern Ohio Employer Traffic Safety awards program offers an opportunity for you to garner that recognition.
Traffic safety isn’t just a checkbox – it’s a celebration of lives saved and futures protected. Let’s honor those making a difference in workplaces across Ohio. Join this movement, celebrate safety and take pride in the role your organization plays in driving positive change.
Better Way
More than half the respondents to a survey conducted by the National Safety Council said impairment was decreasing the safety of their workforce.
What can you do to ensure your team is safe on the job and behind the wheel? Make plans to join us for free online training Thursday, Feb. 20. Take what you learn back to your location, and work to increase your safety impact.
Register to attend now: Workplace Impairment Training.
This interactive, scenario-based learning session details a six-step process for responding to impairment in the workplace. Participants will learn how the definition of impairment has changed to include more types of impairment:
- Alcohol and other drugs
- Over-the-counter medications
- Fatigue
- Stress and mental distress
After completing this training, you will be better prepared to answer these questions:
- What’s the relationship between impairment and workplace safety?
- What factors and situations can cause impairment?
- What are common signs and symptoms of impairment?
- What do I do upon observing impairment in the workplace?
- What are the impacts of employee impairment to a company’s bottom line?
- What resources are available to help me recognize and address impairment in my workplace?
You will be better able to support overall worker wellbeing, too.
Game of Life
As January draws to a close, let’s revisit those resolutions we established to improve our lives. Let’s also double-down on traffic safety as part of this commitment. Let’s focus on ways to reduce impaired driving incidents and keep your employees and their family members safe during the lead-up to one of the year’s biggest unofficial holidays.
Let’s stage a Super Safety party! We know millions will be partying with friends, relatives and coworkers as they watch the big game Sunday, Feb. 9. Start with this message: If you’re going out, plan ahead for a safe ride home:
- Appoint a designated driver
- Call for a taxi or book a rideshare service
Get more information and free resources to share from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office: Impaired Driving.
If you’re hosting a party, offer non-alcoholic beverage choices. Alcohol consumption can adversely impact reaction time and vision, depth perception and concentration – all necessary components of safe driving. Get more information and social media assets from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Here are three ways you can participate in NHTSA’s safety campaign, Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk. Download and share:
- Drunk driving prevention talking points (available in English and Spanish)
- Big game social media graphics and supporting text
- The latest facts on drunk driving
In addition, NHTSA has a library of images you can use to help promote safe driving behaviors, and makes available a report on alcohol-impaired driving you can use to build on your education and training efforts.
Keep in mind: Every risky behavior can be replaced with a safer habit. As a leader, set the example by sharing how you’ve improved your own driving habits and what plans you’ve made to enjoy the game and get home safely. Your influence can inspire others and promote safer roadways for everyone.