What Fleet Managers Have to Know to Preserve Drivers Secure

This publish is a part of a collection sponsored by IAT Insurance coverage Group.

For companies that depend on fleet drivers, driver security isn’t nearly defending folks — it’s additionally about defending your small business, your popularity and your backside line.

Distracted driving is expensive, in additional methods than one

Over 3,000 folks lose their lives because of distracted driving yearly.^[1] These preventable losses impression households, companies and communities, each for the on a regular basis driver {and professional} drivers throughout fleet-reliant industries.

Skilled drivers are inherently extra inclined to distracted driving because of lengthy hours and demanding schedules. It’s essential for fleet drivers and managers to know and handle the basis causes of distracted driving to maintain drivers secure and companies protected.

The three varieties of distracted driving

Distracted driving isn’t restricted to cellphone use. The Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration categorizes distractions into three main sorts: handbook, visible and cognitive. Skilled drivers and their employers should perceive all three to successfully cut back threat.

1. Handbook distractions

Handbook distractions contain any exercise that requires the driving force to take one or each fingers off the wheel. These embrace:

• Consuming or ingesting whereas driving
• Adjusting the radio or local weather controls
• Reaching for objects akin to a pockets or cellphone
• Texting (essentially the most harmful habits by far)

Even a short lapse in bodily management — akin to taking a hand off the wheel to seize a espresso — can delay response time and improve the probability of an accident.

2. Visible distractions

Visible distractions happen when drivers take their eyes off the highway, even momentarily. Frequent examples embrace:

• Taking a look at GPS units or navigation apps
• Rubbernecking at accidents
• Trying out objects contained in the car
• Taking a look at or interacting with passengers

Simply two seconds of diverted consideration can double a driver’s crash threat.^[2] Drivers, particularly these managing advanced supply routes or unfamiliar areas, ought to preprogram their GPS or use voice steering to maintain their eyes on the highway.

3. Cognitive distractions

Cognitive distractions take the driving force’s thoughts off the duty at hand — driving. These could also be much less seen however are simply as harmful as they will impair decision-making and response time:

• Daydreaming
• Speaking on a hands-free cellphone
• Driving whereas fatigued
• Experiencing highway rage or emotional misery

Fatigue, particularly, is a major concern for drivers working lengthy shifts or inconsistent schedules, that are widespread in seasonal or logistics-heavy industries.

4 methods fleet managers can handle driver distraction

Decreasing distracted driving inside a fleet operation requires a multifaceted technique. From training to know-how, listed here are 4 methods to take proactive management:

• Driver training: Common, necessary coaching is the muse of secure driving. All drivers — whether or not new hires or veterans — ought to obtain training on the risks of distracted driving usually. Coaching ought to embrace real-life case research, video simulations and annual refreshers.

• Use telematics: Trendy fleet telematics programs can detect and report dangerous driving behaviors, permitting managers to observe driver habits. They’ll establish patterns of inattention and examine incidents for root trigger evaluation, which might help create a tradition of accountability.

• Implement hands-free know-how: Whereas zero cellphone use is good, some enterprise wants require occasional communication. Palms-free units, akin to voice-activated GPS programs and Bluetooth headsets, might help restrict visible or handbook distractions — however they’re not a license to multitask.

• Decrease cellphone use: Create clear, enforced insurance policies that discourage any nonessential cellphone conversations whereas driving. Encourage drivers to complete all calls earlier than driving, pull over for pressing communications and use distraction-blocking apps. Managers ought to keep away from calling drivers mid-route because it units a precedent that comfort outweighs security.

Eyes on the highway, security in your thoughts

Stopping distracted driving is a year-round precedence. Between rising fatality charges and elevated insurance coverage premiums, the price of distraction is just too excessive. By educating drivers, investing in telematics and setting robust insurance policies, companies can considerably cut back the danger of distraction-related incidents.

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[1] Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration “Distracted Driving,” Accessed April 8, 2025.

[2] AAA Change “The Dangers of Distracted Driving,” Accessed April 8, 2025.

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Private Auto