To launch the ninth annual Drive Safely Work Week campaign season, the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) and its member partners are sponsoring a national ribbon awareness campaign. The teal and black “Drive Safely” ribbons will serve as silent reminders for those who have lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes and remind all motorists to “Drive Safely” to prevent further tragic roadway crashes.

The most dangerous part of the day for any employee is the time they spend in their vehicle. Traffic-related crashes are the leading cause of death on the job with one-quarter of all workplace fatalities the result of a crash. Work-related traffic crashes do not just involve professional drivers, but are the leading cause of death for workers in clerical and professional specialty jobs, and the second leading cause of occupational death for executives, sales workers, and technicians. They involve employees who drive company-owned vehicles, as well as those employees who use their personal vehicle for work-related purposes.

Some of these crashes occur as employees are engaged in business-related travel during the workday, while employees are commuting to and from work, and other crashes occur off the job. In some instances, it’s actually the employees’ family member who is involved in the crash. But regardless of when and where the crash occurs, each of these situations has an impact on the employees’ place of business, making it increasingly important for employers to take an active role in reducing death and injury from these preventable events.

NETS asks the nation’s employers to join us in spreading this life-saving message by distributing ribbons at your place of business, within your organization, and by telling your friends and family about the campaign. Together we can prevent traffic crashes.