While impacts from the pandemic are clearly cause for concern and adjustment, I also find myself thinking back on the myriad of phone conversations, video teleconferences and emails during the past year with one thing continuing to stand out -- the amazing passion and determination from NETS members, Sponsors and partner organizations who continue their mission to reduce risk and save lives on the nation's and global roadways. In my 30+ years in the safety profession, it has never been more clear that challenges – even as daunting as a global pandemic – have literally given way to supercharging the focus and determination of many across the road safety arena.   

Despite these challenging times, NETS has experienced several remarkable milestones including record NETS Strength In Numbers ® Virtual Conference registration, record participation in the annual NETS Benchmark Report, and record annual new membership sign-up – all in a single year. NETS staff, members of the NETS Board of Directors, and I are truly honored by these achievements which could not have been accomplished without everyone's support.

Lastly, and not to be overlooked, NETS also saw continued partnership with the National Safety Council (NSC) for the third year running with regards to the NETS Road Safety Benchmark report. Collaboration between NSC and members of the NETS Benchmark statistical team once again led to a number of insightful findings and road safety program correlations in the annual Benchmark Report providing NETS members with direct insights and viable working solutions to some of their organization’s most pressing road safety challenges.

In the coming year, our intent is to build upon this momentum via the launch of several new and innovative road safety programs and campaigns, as well as several member-focused developments including changes to our current Road Safety Leadership Forum. Enhancements to our Strength In Numbers ® Benchmark data collection system will also be unveiled enabling greater user flexibility and future capabilities for language translation within the system. Continued NETS focus on international initiatives is also planned as global road safety challenges remain in great demand by NETS members and Sponsors alike.

Mobile device distractions put employees in danger and companies at risk. So why would anyone settle for safety measures that simply report what went wrong, or only work when people remember to turn them on? TRUCE Software automatically suspends distracting mobile apps and functions depending on what your employee is doing, where they are working or even the workgroup they are part of. You define the policy and TRUCE ensures compliance when and where it’s needed. Supporting more than 100,000 subscribers and some of the largest brands worldwide, our patented technology is making workplaces everywhere safer.

Learn about all of NETS Fleet Safety Sponsors

Do you have a particularly successful road safety example to share? NETS Members are encouraged to share best practices, ask questions or contribute their expertise to the NETS Road Safety Leaders Forum, an online discussion forum exclusively for NETS Members and Sponsors. Not yet a member? Check out the benefits at www.trafficsafety.org/Membership.