Recent findings suggest that fleet drivers and professional drivers are ‘still’ displaying bad habits that could put them and other road users at risk.
The survey has revealed that a significant number of company drivers are routinely falling into unsafe habits while behind the wheel.
From using mobile phones and speeding, to eating and drinking on the move, the research has highlighted the danger that these habits present when they’re so commonly partaken in by drivers.
In total, more than 90% of business drivers admitted to behaviours that could compromise safety.
Are Fleet Drivers ‘Bad Habits’ A Serious Cause For Concern?
A quarter of drivers confessed to using a handheld mobile phone while at the wheel, while nearly half acknowledged regularly exceeding the speed limit. Others also pointed to driving while feeling stressed, tired or distracted, all of which present major safety risks.
What’s clear from these findings is that although the risks are well understood, many drivers still engage in these behaviours when out on the road.
For fleet owners, this presents an ongoing challenge. Driver behaviour remains one of the most difficult aspects of compliance and safety to manage, yet it’s also one of the most important. The impact of poor habits can quickly lead to avoidable incidents, costly claims, and in the worst cases, serious harm to drivers and others.
Ensuring that safe driving policies are not only in place but being followed is critical.
That includes offering regular training, carrying out performance reviews, and using monitoring tools to identify where support or intervention may be needed.
The Importance Of Managing Driver Risk
One of the big issues is that drivers often don’t view behaviours like eating or making a quick phone call as particularly dangerous, especially if they’ve done it for years without incident.
But the statistics paint a different picture with distraction, fatigue, and speed are consistently among the top contributors to collisions on UK roads.
Technology can play an important role in improving standards. With systems like Risk Monitor, it’s possible to gain a clearer picture of the level of risk your drivers pose, in order to mitigate and manage that risk.
You can find out more about Risk Monitor and how it works by clicking HERE.
Nobody is on the road more than fleet drivers, whether that’s short distance, long distance, local, national or anything in between, fleet drivers see more of our roads than anyone else.
But road safety relies on drivers not developing poor habits and lapsing into things that could result in serious incidents, even if they haven’t yet.
Given that aggressive driving is one of the most common issues for fleet drivers, it’s food for thought as the focus on road safety becomes a key focal point for the government and highways authorities.
Do you think more needs to be done to improve road safety? And do you think we need to welcome more technology to catch motoring offences? Let us know…
