The National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA), Washington, is releasing a television public service announcement (PSA) as the latest component of its “Slow Down to Get Around” safety campaign. The PSA encourages motorists to drive slowly when around solid waste and recycling collection vehicles and employees. The group says it’s an important message, since “solid waste and recycling collection employees have one of the highest fatality rates of any job in the United States, and there has been an increase in the number of collection employees struck by motorists in recent years.” According to NSWMA, there are 136,000 waste collection vehicles on roads throughout the U.S. each day. Too often, distracted motorists on increasingly congested roads accelerate when approaching a waste collection vehicle. Driver education programs universally teach drivers to slow down or stop when approaching a school bus, but it is not as commonly understood that waste collection vehicles are similarly vulnerable as they also move slowly, make many stops and generally are accompanied by men and women collecting and emptying waste and recycling cans. During the last 12 months, at least six waste collection employees have been killed after being struck in a roadway accident, according to NSWMA. Primary causes of these incidents have involved motorists distracted with a phone, excessive speed and glare from the sun. “Too many families have suffered the loss of a loved one through this sort of incident,” says NSWMA’s General Counsel David Biderman, who directs the NSWMA safety program. “But we can reduce the frequency of this type of accident by educating the general public. With some simple changes and better driver education, we can save many lives.” NWSMA has produced 60-second and 30-second versions of the new television ad with support from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This effort expands a program launched in 2003 by Rumpke Consolidated Cos. Inc., a Cincinnati-based waste and recycling company. In addition to this television PSA, NSWMA recently aired a “Slow Down to Get Around” radio ad in 10 media markets. NSWMA also is making “Slow Down to Get Around” decals available that haulers may put on their trucks to remind motorists to drive carefully. Those interested in requesting a broadcast-quality copy of the television or radio ads can contact Biderman at davidb@envasns.org. More information on the campaign can also be found at www.nswma.org.
Safe Curbside Collection Targeted
Publicity campaign urges motorists to be cautious near garbage, recycling collection vehicles.