PRINCETON, NJ - A fleet’s safety extends far beyond a company’s bottom line. While safer driving can mean fewer accidents, lower insurance policies, and less fuel used, it also means the safety of a company’s greatest asset - its employees.

One of the most important issues a fleet manager has to deal with every day is the safety of their fleet. Whether it’s running motor vehicle reports (MVRs) on potential hires, using telematics to improve the way their drivers handle the road, or setting up driver training refresher courses to ensure their employees are utilizing company vehicles in the most positive light possible, the safety of a fleet helps determine the success of a fleet manager.

NAFA Fleet Management Association recognizes the significance of safety for its members and has created a Safety Advisory Council to focus solely on the subject.

NAFA’s Safety Advisory Council will work to keep appropriate topics in the minds of NAFA Members by suggesting safety-related articles for NAFA publications and creating new products and guides. The Council will serve as the NAFA spokesperson on fleet safety; recommend safety classes for NAFA’s annual conference; work with NAFA’s FleetED Advisory Council to produce annual or bi-annual Accident Data and Loss Data Surveys; review and keep relevant articles in NAFA’s database current; work cooperatively with NAFA chapter leaders to disseminate information about national, regional, and local safety programs; standardize metrics/reporting and benchmarking against agreed-to standards; and work with local NAFA chapter Safety Committee leaders to gather information and act on their suggestions.

The Safety Advisory Council is led by a Council Chair (appointed by the Association’s President) who works with a Council Vice Chair - Member and a Council Vice Chair - Affiliate. All council activities are coordinated through a NAFA Officer. Council recommendations will be presented to the Board of Trustees for approval.

The Council is comprised of the following members:

• Chair: Donna Bibbo, CAFM, Novo Nordisk, Inc.

• Vice Chair - Member: Bob Ellingsworth, CAFM, State of Minnesota Department of Transportation

• Vice Chair - Affiliates: Phil Moser, Advanced Driver Training Services

• Juan Perez, Amerifleet Transportation

• JJ Keig, CAFM, NCH

• Chris Kowalski, Semco Energy Gas Company

• Annette White, Johnson & Johnson

• Meeghan Heritage, BioGen Idec

• Randy Shadley, CAFM, Corporate Claims Management

With the creation of this council, NAFA has elevated the topic of fleet safety to the forefront of fleet management. The Council plans on using its shared knowledge to push forth initiatives that will benefit fleet managers on local and national levels.