ATLANTA --- The state government's new service slogan is "Faster, friendlier, easier," but one agency is trying to make sure that doesn't mean using a lead foot on the road.
Improving state employees' driving habits is one aim of a new program to boost safety and reduce what taxpayers have to spend on insurance for the government.
Among the changes: State workers can expect monitoring of their driving, even while off duty; more training; new signs; handrails; and other safety equipment, according to Brad Douglas, the commissioner of the Department of Administrative Services. The department pays $100 million in yearly claims triggered by accidents by state workers -- and county workers under state contract -- so modest improvement can free up millions for other uses.
"These are some of the most dangerous occupations, whether it's drilling into somebody's brain to remove a tumor at the Medical College of Georgia or putting on a hard hat for the (Department of Transportation)," Mr. Douglas said.
Some changes will be as small as putting "How's my driving?" bumper stickers on all state vehicles with a toll-free phone number, replacing the Web site reporting mechanism.
"The fact that someone knows that you're watching makes a huge psychological impact," Mr. Douglas said.
A new law gives Mr. Douglas the power to pull money out of any agency's budget if it has a high level of accidents. For example, the Board of Regents accounts for 65 percent of all property claims, while the Department of Human Resources spawns the most auto-damage claims.
Some small changes can have a big impact. Simply getting 40,000 employees to watch an online video reduced auto accidents 42 percent in six months, Mr. Douglas said. The video includes "don'ts," such as eating or smoking in state vehicles or using drive-through windows.
Mr. Douglas expects some hesitancy to change, but Chip Warren, a national representative of the Service Employees International Union, which represents state workers, says objections aren't likely from his group.
"Anything that makes our employees safer, we're all for that," he said.
The state's new techniques have been typical tools for businesses, according to insurance consultant Mike Taylor, of Dawson, Taylor & Co. in Augusta.
Reach Walter Jones at (404) 589-8424 or walter.jones@morris.com.
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