What Fleet Managers Have to Know to Preserve Drivers Protected

This publish is a part of a sequence 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 what you are promoting, your popularity and your backside line.

Distracted driving is expensive, in additional methods than one

Over 3,000 folks lose their lives as a consequence 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 prone to distracted driving as a consequence of lengthy hours and demanding schedules. It’s essential for fleet drivers and managers to know and tackle the basis causes of distracted driving to maintain drivers protected and companies protected.

The three forms of distracted driving

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

1. Guide distractions

Guide 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 gadgets equivalent to a pockets or cellphone
• Texting (probably the most harmful habits by far)

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

2. Visible distractions

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

• Taking a look at GPS gadgets or navigation apps
• Rubbernecking at accidents
• Testing gadgets 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 steerage to maintain their eyes on the street.

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 street rage or emotional misery

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

4 methods fleet managers can handle driver distraction

Lowering distracted driving inside a fleet operation requires a multifaceted technique. From training to expertise, listed here are 4 methods to take proactive management:

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

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

• Implement hands-free expertise: Whereas zero cellphone use is right, some enterprise wants require occasional communication. Palms-free gadgets, equivalent to voice-activated GPS methods and Bluetooth headsets, may help restrict visible or handbook distractions — however they’re not a license to multitask.

• Reduce 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 street, 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 scale back the chance of distraction-related incidents.

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

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

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