Being mindful and aware of the present moment can save your life while driving.

This was the message at WEL Networks’ Stop for Safety event in May, the third edition of the company’s safety initiative for its staff.

Around 250 corporate and field staff attended the event, where they discussed the importance of keeping both your eyes and mind on the road.

Having been on the job for more than 40 years, guest speaker Senior Sergeant Peter van de Wetering of the Waikato Police was able to offer an insight into the current dangers facing drivers.

He said familiarity, fatigue and speed are the major concerns on Waikato’s rural roads and highlighted how complacency can be fatal.

“Those speeding are often locals who travel the same roads frequently. The higher the speed, the more catastrophic the outcome.”

With a network of more than 5000km of power lines, WEL staff are frequent users of these roads and van der Wetering said every effort needs to be made to alert drivers about the risks involved.

“I commend WEL Networks for using this platform to bring this topic to its employees in the format that it has done.”

Dr Maree Roche from Waikato University also addressed the audience and shared how everyone can learn to be mindful and more alert to stay safe on the road.

By practising simple things like meditation an individual can soothe the mind resulting in safer driving.

“Mindfulness is really attention and awareness to the present moment,” she said.

“The more dangerous the job, the greater the need to be mindful, this could save your life.”