PRINCETON, NJ - This week is "Drive Safely Work Week" -- an annual campaign presented by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) and supported by NAFA Fleet Management Association. 

The campaign shines a spotlight on the problem of distracted driving and offers ways for businesses to remind their drivers about the dangers involved. Of course, distracted driving is not a new issue, but the increasing prevalence of in-vehicle technologies and the growing capabilities of smart phones and other handheld mobile devices have increased driver temptations. 

Each year, cell phone distractions cause 600,000 crashes, 330,000 injuries and 3,000 deaths, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.  

This year's Drive Safely Work Week (Oct. 4-8) includes a push for businesses to set up corporate cell phone policies to restrict or ban the use of phones while driving. The campaign encourages businesses to dedicate time to emphasize safe driving messages. The campaign also highlights several methods -- including the use of call-blocking technology -- that can help businesses reduce distracted driving. 

"Businesses across the United States are recognizing the impact of this problem on their employees and are beginning to adopt anti-distracted driving policies," said United States Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "The materials in this kit are designed to help advance your company's efforts against distracted driving." 

"Safe driving is essential to the fleet managers who belong to NAFA, a group that collectively manages several million vehicles traveling on North American roads each day," said NAFA Executive Director Phillip E. Russo. "NAFA has lent its support to the annual campaign for the past several years through a series of articles in the association's print and online publications, press releases and e-mail blasts to the membership."  

NETS, which has sponsored Drive Safely Work Week since 1996, is dedicated to preventing traffic crashes that occur both on and off the job. 

Campaign tools may be downloaded for free at www.trafficsafety.org.