John Ulczycki, vice president of strategic initiatives for the National Safety Council (NSC), will be providing real-life, proven strategies to help fleets defend themselves from distracted driving next month at the first-ever Fleet Safety Conference in Schaumburg, Ill.

Statistics show that at any given point during daylight hours, more than 800,000 vehicles in America are being driven by someone using a handheld cell phone. Fleet managers must take a proactive approach to safeguard their drivers from these hazards.

Ulczycki has been leading NSC's call for a nationwide ban on cell phone use while driving. He has spoken before several state legislatures on primary seat belt, teen driving and distracted driving laws, and is also a member of the Advisory Committee for the National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running, the Transportation Research Board Committee on Transportation Safety and the Board of Directors of Lifesavers Conference Inc.

His session, “Distracted Driving: Dangers & Defenses,” will run from 2-2:45 p.m. on May 22.

Bobit Business Media is producing the Fleet Safety Conference, scheduled for May 22-23 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center. The American Automotive Leasing Association (AALA) is sponsoring the two-day event, which has been endorsed by the Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association (AFLA), the American Automotive Leasing Association (AALA), the National Safety Council (NSC) and the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS).

Networking time with fleet managers and industry experts, educational sessions and informational, motivational keynote presentations and the first-ever Fleet Safety Award honoring the top safety professional are just a few highlights awaiting Fleet Safety Conference attendees next month.

Monsanto’s Maggie Cole, director of environmental safety & health and one of four finalists for the 2012 Fleet Executive of the Year, will provide the welcome keynote.

For a full lineup of speakers and sessions, go to www.fleetsafetyconference.com. Register by April 24 to receive an advanced rate $100 off the regular price of a full conference pass.

— By Grace Suizo