Approximately a year and a half ago, the treasurer's office, with encouragement from Hartford, initiated a safe driver program. Working with Yvonne Hodge of Human Resources, Amanda Smith, director for risk assessment in the Treasurer's Office, initiated a program in which every individual with driving responsibilities as a part of their job would be required to participate in a safe driver program. According to Smith, other employees who drive on a semi-regular basis also are encouraged to take the course. Smith worked with Hodge to have the safe driver training included in the job description for new employees who would be driving University vehicles. The responsibility for the course has now moved to the Training area in Human Resources, said Hodge, who is in Employee Services.
Approximately 250 people have taken the course since its inception. Hodge attended a number of driver safety courses and determined the one most appropriate for the University. In the course, employees learn defensive driving techniques, facts about drugs and driving (such as how drinking outside of work time can still affect your performance on the job), and strategies for city, suburban, highway and rural driving.
According to the statistics, the course has been effective. In 1992, there were 38 accidents; that number dropped to 31 in 1993, and to 25 in 1994. "The quantity has decreased," said Smith, "but the severity of the accidents has decreased as well and that was of equal concern."
Bruce Geibel, director of operations and maintenance for the Facilities Maintenance Division (FMD), represented his division as the largest employer of drivers on campus at the award presentation. "I've seen an attitude change on the part of our managers and supervisors and on the part of employees," said Geibel. "People talk about safety now. Our goal," he said, "is to have 100 percent of our drivers enrolled in the safety course." Geibel also cited statistics that FMD accidents decreased 42 percent during the two-year period, while accident costs decreased 15 percent.
The award was presented to Smith by Larry Martin, loss control representative of The Hartford Company, and Jan Bragg, underwriter. "It's really an award for the University," Smith said. "I didn't get this thing going by myself by any means."
-- Nancy M. Spitler