SWANA to distribute Slow Down to Get Around decals

The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), Silver Spring, Maryland, has announced that it will begin distributing Slow Down to Get Around decals to its members, upon request, at no charge in early 2016.

Slow Down to Get Around is a national safety campaign aimed at reminding motorists to drive carefully near waste and recycling collection vehicles. The campaign, created by Larry Stone while he served as safety director at Rumpke Waste & Recycling, has resulted in legislation under the same name in several states.

Nationally, Slow Down to Get Around requires drivers to change lanes if possible or slow down to at least 10 miles per hour below the posted speed limit and pass at least 2 feet to the left of the stationary vehicles that are in the process of collecting trash or recycling. The new law carries a penalty of up to $250.

Slow Down to Get Around is now the law in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. SWANA, which supported the legislation earlier this year, says distributing free decals to its members is part of its expanded focus on safety through its Safety Matters program.

“I am thrilled that SWANA is helping to spread the Slow Down to Get Around message as part of their increased focus on safety,” says Larry Stone.

SWANA says Lytx Inc., creator of the DriveCam® safety program, is the official sponsor of the association’s Slow Down to Get Around decal program. Lytx provides innovative technologies and delivers data-driven insights from billions of analyzed miles to help make drivers and roadways safer, according to SWANA.

“Our goal at Lytx is to help make good drivers better, and we know that reminding people about safe driving behaviors—whether professional drivers or everyday motorists—can deliver a positive impact,” says Naomi Hamels, senior marketing manager for Lytx. “The Slow Down to Get Around decal effort is a smart way to keep safe driving top of mind for everyone who gets behind the wheel.”

SWANA says it plans to continue its efforts to improve safety in the solid waste industry through the Slow Down to Get Around program and a number of safety training workshops and webinars in 2016.

“This program is just one of many elements to our new Safety Matters program,” says SWANA Executive Director and CEO David Biderman. “As the leading association for solid waste professionals, SWANA will continue to expand its safety offerings to help to decrease the number of accidents and injuries in the industry.”