The Cox competition brought together the best of its Fleet Services and Manheim technicians. This event showcases the skills and expertise of the top one percent of Cox Automotive’s technicians, with 45 finalists competing across three categories: heavy-duty truck, light/medium-duty truck, and trailer. One of the highlights of this year’s event was the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) station, which focused on the critical issue of distracted driving.
A FOCUS ON DISTRACTED DRIVING
Every year, the EHS station at Top Tech features a new theme. This year, the spotlight was on distracted driving, a significant concern for technicians who spend considerable time on the road.
Partnering with Smith Systems, Cox Automotive implemented a comprehensive training module aimed at reducing distracted driving incidents among its technicians.
The training session included a 10-minute educational video followed by a rigorous 45-question test designed to be completed in just 10 minutes.
The test comprised 27 true/false and multiple-choice questions, along with 18 questions in fill-in-the-blank and matching sections, challenging participants on various aspects of distracted driving, including cell phone use, GPS distractions, eating while driving, and drowsy driving.
Questions included (answer):
True/False
To be a safe driver, you only need to devote between 25-50 percent of your attention to the task of driving. (False)
Multiple Choice
Last year, what percentage of teenage drivers killed in crashes were using a cell phone while driving? (10 percent)
Matching
Focusing on looking at something other than the road while driving. (Visual Distraction)
These questions ensured that participants had to recall specific statistics and apply practical knowledge about distracted driving, emphasizing the importance of undivided attention while driving.
Chad Christensen, an environmental health and safety analyst who helps put together the EHS stations, explains the rationale behind the challenging nature of these stations.
“We intentionally design these stations to be difficult to encourage critical thinking. The idea is to push our technicians to really engage with the material and understand the importance of safety protocols. By making the training challenging, we ensure that the lessons learned stick with them long after the competition is over.”
MEET THE SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STATION WINNERS
The results from this year’s EHS station were impressive. The top scorers achieved a 98 percent, while the average score was 88 percent. The challenging nature of the test ensured that the competition remained intense.
For our safety and environmental station, Evan Bailey won in the heavy-duty category, Juan Carlos Felix Rivera won in the Light/Medium-Duty category, and Kendall Bryant, the first female technician to compete in Top Tech, won the trailer category. These winners exemplify the high standards and dedication of Cox Automotive’s technicians.
BUILDING A CULTURE OF SAFETY
Cox Automotive’s commitment to safety extends beyond the Top Tech event. Each month, technicians must complete safety training modules on various topics through Learn@Cox. These interactive sessions include videos, quizzes, and other engaging content to reinforce safety protocols and knowledge. This ongoing education ensures that safety remains a top priority for Cox Automotive technicians year-round.
By addressing relevant and critical issues such as distracted driving, Cox Automotive ensures its technicians are well-equipped to handle the challenges they face on the road, ultimately contributing to a safer working environment
In previous years, the EHS station themes included safety data sheets, personal protective equipment (PPE), and ladder/fall protection, demonstrating the company’s comprehensive approach to safety training.
As it continues to prioritize safety and excellence through events like Top Tech and ongoing training programs, the company not only elevates the skills of its technicians but also reinforces its commitment to safety, setting a benchmark for the industry.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dan Nicholls is the AVP, environmental, health and safety at Cox Automotive.
