The traditional notion of the road work zone conjures images of orange cones, flashing lights, and signs warning the driver to take caution. Work zone protocol also extends to law enforcement and emergency vehicles, with their drivers extended into the roadway to do their job. And yet there is a persistent lack of knowledge, and sometimes outright ignorance, of these laws. In the September/October issue of FLEETSolutions, NAFA Fleet Management Association looks into Move Over laws and work zone safety.
“It was disheartening to hear of stories of police officers, first responders, and road crew workers being injured or losing their lives because of not knowing these laws exist,” said reporter Donald Dunphy who wrote the article “Work Zones And The Move Over Law.” “Not only do many not recognize this is the law, but they might get angry at those who slow down and actually obey that law. It is the intention of this article to hopefully open some eyes.”
“From the fleet standpoint, these laws pose a major problem for companies and organizations,” said NAFA Chief Executive Officer Phillip E. Russo, CAE. “You can have a robust driver safety policy in good standing and not know that these laws even exist. From a perspective of liability, that is a huge risk.”
The article “Work Zones And The Move Over Law” is one of the standout articles in FLEETSolutions’ annual Focus On Safety issue. The September/October offering also contains features on prioritizing safety, telematics and the role technology can play in safety, information about the 2015 edition of the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) Drive Safely Work Week, the National Safety Council’s Safety First column, and the Safety Award winners of NAFA’s Fleet Excellence Awards.
FLEETSolutions, NAFA’s official magazine, published bi-monthly, contains in-depth articles designed to educate, inform, and facilitate fleet managers to excel in their jobs. The magazine is developed to engage readership in the eight primary disciplines of fleet: Asset Management, Business Management, Financial Management, Fleet Information Management, Maintenance Management, Risk Management, Vehicle Fuel Management, and Professional Development. FLEETSolutions provides survey results on the most important topics in the fleet profession; the National Safety Council “Safety First” column, found in each issue; and profiles of the best and brightest in fleet. FLEETSolutions is a benefit of being a NAFA member.
“It’s hard to imagine that drivers are being sent out on the road every day without a basic recognition of these laws, and those who are responsible for sending them are similarly unaware,” said Dunphy. “This is a risk factor that is easily addressed through education, and that is what NAFA’s FLEETSolutions offers.”
“NAFA’s commitment to driver safety is well-known. It is integral to our own employee policies, and it is crucial for us to follow our own example,” said Russo. “FLEETSolutions continues that dedication to safety because informed fleet professionals and drivers can make a profound difference on all our roadways.”
