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Dangerous Fleet Behaviors for Fleet Managers to Address

Safety is, of course, a top priority for most business owners, but especially so for organizations with fleets of any increased size. According to Automotive Fleet, the average person drives 12,000 to 15,000 miles annually, whereas a fleet driver may travel upwards of 25,000 or more each year. 

With commercial fleet accident rates averaging 20%, it is clear that fleet drivers are subject to road accidents at a much higher frequency than the typical driver. Given this knowledge, it is imperative that fleet managers address and educate employees on risky driving behaviors, their implications, and possible solutions.

Rapid Acceleration

• The Problem: Speeding drastically increases the risk of accidents and has shown to decrease gas mileage up to 30%.

• The Solution: Sturdy Automotive’s Vehicle Management System (VMS) acceleration control features allows fleet managers to control the rate at which the vehicle is able to accelerate, inhibiting aggressive driving behaviors, increasing safety, and improving fuel economy. 

Seat Belt Use

• The Problem: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 47% of passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2017 were unrestrained. 

• The Solution: Buckling your seatbelt is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash. Seat belts save an average of 15,000 lives a year. 

Aggressive Driving

• The Problem: Speeding, tailgating, cutting off drivers, changing lanes without signaling, and other road rage behavior contribute to 66% of traffic fatalities. 

• The Solution: Sturdy’s VMS with Speed IQ upgrade features a variable speed limiting functionality, automatically adjusting the vehicle's top speed based on the location and zone in which it is traveling. VMS with Speed IQ helps counteract aggressive driving behaviors that could have a negative impact on the safety of your fleet. 

Distracted Driving

• The Problem: Texting, talking on the phone, eating, and even fiddling with the radio are considered to be distracted driver behaviors. Sending or reading a text for even 5 seconds is equivalent to driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed!

• The Solution: Address distracted driving behaviors and clearly define the policies and consequences associated with cell phone use, texting, and any other distracted driving behaviors. 

Drowsy Driving

• The Problem: 1 in 25 adult drivers have reported falling asleep behind the wheel in the previous 30 days. 

• The Solution: Using Sturdy Telematics powered by Air Max Remote, fleet managers can actively track vehicles in real-time and analyze driver behavior. Requiring fleet drivers to stop for breaks every 200 miles or 2 hours on the road is easily manageable using the Telematics dashboard. In addition to the telematics platform, frequently remind fleet drivers of drowsy driving warning signs and continuously encourage them to keep the following tips in mind: 

• Get 7-9 hours of sleep per night
• Plan regular stops in route for short naps
• Travel during times you are normally awake

Interested in helping your fleet combat these dangerous driving behaviors? Contact us to learn more about our vehicle management system, hardware, and capabilities!