A closer look at why driver behaviour is so critical to fleet safety — and steps to improve it

Ask any fleet manager and they will say that fleet safety is a top priority, right after keeping costs down. Even still, one critical element of fleet safety that should receive deeper analysis is driver behaviour.

Drivers are at the front lines of day-to-day fleet operations, and driver behaviour directly affects accident rates, vehicle longevity, and your fleet’s overall operational costs.

Whether it’s speeding, harsh braking, or taking risky turns, the way drivers handle their vehicles significantly impacts the overall safety of a fleet. For instance, aggressive driving increases the likelihood of accidents, while excessive speeding not only poses a risk but also contributes to premature wear and tear on vehicles. On the other hand, responsible driving can extend vehicle life, reduce the likelihood of accidents, and lower insurance premiums.

Some fleet safety statistics you should know

Factors influencing driver behaviour (even ones you may not have thought about)

Personal Attributes

• Experience: Experienced drivers tend to be more confident and skilled at handling various driving situations. They can anticipate hazards, manage fatigue, and maintain better control over their vehicles. Inexperienced drivers, on the other hand, may make impulsive decisions or misjudge distances, which can lead to inefficiencies or accidents.
• Personality traits: Drivers with traits like patience, responsibility, and attention to detail are likely to practice safer driving habits. Conversely, those with impulsive or aggressive tendencies may speed, tailgate, or engage in risky overtaking manoeuvres. Personality also affects how drivers respond to stressful situations, such as road rage or delays.
• Mental and physical wellbeing: Sometimes, a driver’s wellbeing can take a toll due to various internal (e.g. long work hours) and external (e.g. health or family issues) factors, which can impact their focus and reaction time. Drivers who are mentally or physically unwell are more prone to distractions, slower decision-making, and even dozing off, increasing the likelihood of accidents.

Environmental Factors

• Weather conditions: Both expected and unexpected weather conditions play a part in whether drivers can navigate their route with ease or difficulty. Unexpected rain, snow, fog, or extreme heat requires drivers to adapt their behaviour.
• Road conditions: When possible, the road conditions on a given route should be known ahead of time to avoid any risks to the driver. Poor road conditions such as potholes, uneven surfaces, or construction zones require more careful manoeuvring and mental focus.
• Traffic congestion: In congested traffic, drivers may experience frustration, which can lead to aggressive behaviours like lane-switching or tailgating. Conversely, some drivers may become overly cautious and slow down excessively, contributing to traffic bottlenecks. Congestion also increases the frequency of stop-and-go driving, raising the risk of rear-end collisions.
• Road types (i.e. highways, rural, suburban and urban roads): Highways have fewer turns and intersections, allowing for less stressful driving. Rural roads tend to have poorer road conditions and more hazards. Suburban roads have lower speed limits and more intersections, while urban roads typically have heavy traffic and more frequent stops for drivers; all of these lead to stressful and riskier driving outcomes.

Vehicle Factors

• Vehicle type: Larger vehicles like trucks or buses require more manoeuvring skills, especially in tight spaces or congested areas. Drivers may need to be more cautious due to limited visibility and longer braking distances.
• Vehicle condition: Poorly maintained vehicles, with issues like faulty brakes, worn tyres, or engine problems, can increase driver anxiety and reduce safety margins, forcing drivers to be more defensive or reactive to mechanical issues.
• Technology features: Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), such as lane departure warnings, adaptive cruise control, or automatic emergency braking, can enhance safety and support less experienced drivers.

Inefficient Management

• Lack of oversight: Without effective oversight, drivers may feel less motivated, less accountable for their actions, or more emboldened to engage in risky behaviour.
• Poor communication and lack of clarity: When management is unclear about expectations, goals, and policies, drivers may be confused, frustrated or operate under incorrect information.
• Incorrect setup of telematics systems: Many fleets that rely on telematic devices have incorrect or faulty setups that lead to incorrect driver behaviour data. Additionally, some fleets either do not take the time or have the knowledge to match the telematics setup to their safety standards — you cannot calibrate your devices accurately if you don’t have a planned safety standard to match them (e.g. the excess speed threshold per your company’s safety standards should be included in the telematics calibration, in order to avoid issues like drivers recorded as speeding when they’re not, or not speeding when they are).

The long-term impact of positive driver behaviour

Promoting positive driver behaviour doesn’t just prevent accidents in the short term; it has long-lasting effects that benefit the entire fleet.

Drivers who consistently practice safe driving techniques tend to stay longer with companies, reducing turnover and the associated costs of recruitment and training. Moreover, fleets that promote safe driving often enjoy lower insurance premiums, as they are viewed as lower risk by insurance companies.

Over time, cultivating a culture of safety and responsible driving can improve fleet reputation, reduce maintenance costs, and enhance overall operational efficiency. Fleetyr can support this by creating detailed reports on driver performance over time, allowing managers to reward positive behaviour and reinforce safe driving practices.

Helpful strategies to improve driver behaviour

Innovative tech solutions

• Integrated analytics software: Having the right data-driven technology at your fingertips is a powerful enabler for managing and improving driver behaviour, especially when the software integrates seamlessly with your existing fleet systems. This means that you can focus on accurately identify trends in driver behaviour, find areas for improvement, and measure the effectiveness of your fleet’s safety initiatives.

How does Fleetyr help you achieve this?

Fleetyr automates the collection, cleaning, visualisation and analysis of safety-related data from your various health and safety software providers. This includes but is not limited to telematics, driver cameras, inspection apps and forms, insurance, logbook, compliance and HR software.

• Advanced driver coaching and training tools: Some highly advanced tools use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to provide personalised coaching to drivers, like Lytx’s MV+AI, while others may include Virtual Reality (VR) simulators in controlled environments to improve driving skills and emergency responses, like VR Motions’s RealDrive or Raben’s Truck Simulator.
• Safety gamification: Gamifying safety standards helps fleet managers create a more engaging and motivating experience for drivers, as well as foster a competitive spirit among drivers, encouraging them to strive for excellence in safety and compliance. For example, SafetyCulture’s digital inspection capabilities allow drivers to complete safety inspections, such as pre-start checks, using a mobile app. In addition, customisable training courses help drivers feel safer and more confident operating vehicles in the field.

Training and education

Training and education are foundational for improving driver behaviour by equipping drivers with the knowledge and skills they need to operate vehicles safely and efficiently.

• Defensive driving courses: These courses teach drivers how to anticipate potential hazards, practice safe driving techniques, and minimise risks. Training can be customised based on the insights gathered from telematics data, focusing on individual weaknesses.
• Ongoing education and free access to resources: Continuous learning is key to maintaining high standards of driving behaviour. Regular workshops, e-learning modules and other forms of resources that drivers can easily access for free reinforce safety protocols, introduce new technologies, and refresh drivers’ knowledge of best practices.

Team culture and incentives

Building a positive, safety-focused team culture is critical to sustaining long-term improvements in driver behaviour.

• Management not playing favourites: Are some drivers getting away with bad behaviour? Better-performing drivers may be less respectful of processes and safety standards if certain drivers are knowingly getting away with bad behaviour – they may even begin demonstrating poor driving behaviours themselves.
• Positive reinforcement: Recognising and rewarding good driving behaviour through incentives, such as bonuses, certificates, or public recognition, fosters a positive culture where drivers feel valued for their efforts.
• Peer support and mentorship: Encouraging a collaborative team environment where experienced drivers mentor new or underperforming drivers can promote knowledge-sharing and a shared commitment to safety. Providing drivers with support for mental health services or counselling also helps improve their overall wellbeing and job performance.

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