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Review of Trash Collection Impacts Section 2 - 18 times the national average. A University of Miami study found that the leading cause of on- the -job fatalities for refuse and recyclable material collectors is impatient motorists who try to pass the garbage truck and hit the collector. Trash collection activities also result in interaction with the general public and as such generate the potential for public safety issues. Efforts to reduce those interactions (e.g., districted collection), make the public more aware of collection vehicles and drivers (e.g., signage, lights) and provide drivers with additional training and tools to provide for safer collection operations (e.g., video recorders) all contribute to increasing public safety as it relates to trash collection services. Industry Safety Initiatives Waste Management Inc., the largest solid waste services provider in the country, has a model "Mission to Zero" plan and has significantly reduced worker injuries since the model was implemented. Allied Waste Industries, the second largest solid waste provider in the country, has paid particular attention to vehicle safety, including adding or replacing all incandescent lights with LED's and additional LED strobe lights on each side and the front of the vehicles. As a result of these and other actions Allied's accident rate declined approximately 20 percent in each of the first three years following implementation and driver feedback has been very positive. Slow Down to Get Around Safety Campaign Jurisdictions throughout the country have adopted the "Slow Down to get Around" safety campaign to enhance the visibility of the collection vehicles and have dramatically reduced rear - ending accidents .20 The program is designed to raise safety awareness when passing utility, waste and service vehicles. The aim is to encourage drivers to use the same amount of caution as when passing a school bus, emergency vehicle or road construction crew. Fully Automated Vehicles The use of fully - automated vehicles can greatly contribute to worker safety. Automated collection eliminates the constant manual lifting of cans and bags associated with manual collection systems and is more efficient than semi - automated collection. Automated collection uses wheeled carts that are lifted by a mechanical arm on the side of the truck. The driver controls the entire collection process without leaving the drivers seat. Automated systems have been shown to result in decreased workers compensation costs and allow experienced older (often "See http: / /www.rumpke.com /Our_ Commitment/Safety.asp for more information on the Slow Down to get Around safety campaign.