According to the National Transit Database, assaults against transit operators have increased by 31% over the past six years. Driver assaults not only take a physical and emotional toll on the individual, but they can have a lasting financial impact on the transit system in terms of absenteeism, medical claims, and lawsuits. Although on-board technologies such as video surveillance and GPS fleet tracking can help deter crime and prevent operator assaults, more needs to be done to focus public awareness on the issue and encourage legislators to take a tougher stance on penalizing this type of violence.
What We’re Doing to Reduce the Risk to Transit Operators
We want to bring attention to the issue and help you make transit safer for operators. That’s why we’re launching a campaign to Stop Violence Against Drivers at APTA Expo this year. The goal of this campaign is to bring attention to the issue and provide the transit industry with resources, education, and solutions to help stem the tide of violence against operators.
Throughout APTA Expo in Houston, TX, from October 13 through 15th, we’ll be handing out Stop Violence Against Driver buttons at our booth (#4059) to promote the campaign. We’ll be sharing stories and best practices from other transit agencies via live tweets using the hashtags #SafeTransit and #SeonAPTAExpo.
We have also set up an online ‘campaign headquarters’ at www.seon.com/safetransit to continue on the campaign after the show to help guide you to resources, other campaigns, and safety products that can help reduce the risk to your workforce and your organization.
How You Can Get Involved
There are three ways you can help us spread the word about our campaign to stop violence against transit operators:
Stop by our booth at APTA Expo to get your campaign button
Look for the Seon sign and our bright purple banner promoting ‘Stop Violence Against Drivers’ at Seon booth #4059 to pick up your campaign button. Wear it proudly at the show and even pick up a couple extra to bring back to others in your organization.
- Sign up for weekly tips on how to improve driver safety
Visit www.seon.com/safetransit to sign up to receive a weekly email with tips and best practices on driver safety. Learn how other transit agencies have developed successful operator training programs, public awareness campaigns, and invested in safety technology to reduce the risk of operator assaults.
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Share your #SafeTransit stories on Social Media
Whether you are active on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Google+ we’d encourage you to share your stories with other transit agencies using the hashtag #SafeTransit. Maybe you’ve developed a great program that has proven to reduce the risk of operator assault or have a personal story about the impact of operator assaults that can move others to action.
Together we can raise awareness and make a difference – the future health of our transit workforce depends on it.
Lori Jetha
Marketing Communications Manager
Seon
