Monitoring driving behaviour to improve road safety

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Monitoring driving behaviour is one of the most effective ways to reduce accidents and increase efficiency. If you’re looking for strategies to improve your fleet’s safety and productivity, this page will be a big help. Discover how you can leverage telematics and in-cab technologies to monitor driving behaviour, boost road safety and ensure compliance.

Driving behaviour metrics and analysis

As a fleet operator, you’re likely familiar with this well-known statistic: 90% of accidents involve human error. To understand how to improve road safety, you’ll want to identify which driving behaviours need addressing. That’s where telematics comes in.

Telematics systems collect data on critical driving metrics such as speed, braking and cornering. These systems use GPS and onboard diagnostics to monitor and record driving behaviour in real time. By analysing these metrics, you can identify risky driving behaviours and understand how to address them, perhaps through extra coaching or training.

Get clear insights on driving behaviour metrics with a tool like OptiDrive 360:

Speed: Identify drivers who may be at risk of accidents—higher speeds means less reaction time
Braking: Data on harsh braking can indicate aggressive driving or lack of attention
Acceleration: Sudden acceleration can signal unsafe driving practices
Cornering: Sharp cornering data can reveal potential issues with vehicle control
Idling: Eliminate excessive idling to prevent safety issues and fuel waste

Real-time driver feedback and in-cab technologies

In-cab technologies such as PRO Driver Terminals and AI-enabled dashcams are invaluable for boosting driver safety. That’s because these tools provide drivers with real-time notifications and feedback on their performance, empowering them to adjust their driving behaviour in the moment. These real-time corrections help reduce the likelihood of accidents, since drivers become more aware of their actions.

How PRO Driver Terminals support fleet safety:

Give your drivers active driving feedback and advice while they’re on the road
Send text-to-speech updates so drivers get your updates but avoid distractions

Make sure drivers take required breaks with visibility on remaining working times
Keep your drivers on the safest, most efficient routes with professional navigation

Learn more about PRO Driver Terminals

How dashcams support fleet safety:

Help drivers work better with in-cab guidance on safe driving practices
Ensure drivers avoid blind spots with 360-degree views of the road
Get the full context of road incidents for accurate safety analyses
Protect your business and your drivers from false insurance claims

Learn more about AI-enabled dashcams

Compliance with safety regulations

When it comes to compliance with safety regulations, it’s worth considering a couple of facts: 10-25% of all road accidents involve driver fatigue and 10% of people who drive for work say they’ve fallen asleep behind the wheel. Driver fatigue is without question a major safety risk—and compliance with the rules on drivers’ hours will help you combat this risk.

Vehicle condition is another area in which safety matters: Roadworthy vehicles tend to be safer vehicles. Keeping up with daily vehicle inspections can prevent breakdowns and tyre blowouts that may put your drivers and other road users in harm’s way. According to our exclusive research for The Road Safety Report:

Commercial fleets need roadside breakdown support 6.1 times per year on average

Half of fleet managers (50%) say they spend too much on collision costs

With all of this in mind, how can you stay on top of your fleet’s compliance with safety regulations? We recommend using a comprehensive fleet management system that’s integrated with compliance tools. With a system like Webfleet, your fleet can improve safety standards while avoiding fines and other consequences:

Monitor driving hours and working times with remote tachograph downloads
Ensure you comply with rules on permissible maximum weights for trailers
Keep tyres in roadworthy condition with 24/7 temperature and pressure control
Be confident that drivers do vehicle inspections, catching potential safety issues

Learn more about compliance solutions

Cost savings through safer driving

Safer driving can translate into greater cost savings for your fleet. Overall, safer driving directly contributes to fleet efficiency by maintaining vehicle availability and reducing operational disruptions. Wondering how to shave costs and grow your bottom line? Take a proactive approach to road safety. Here are just a few ways that improved fleet safety can deliver substantial cost savings to your business:

Lower repair costs: Fewer accidents mean less damages to your vehicles, bringing your fleet’s repair costs down
Less downtime: With fewer vehicles out of service due to accidents, your fleet operations can run more efficiently, ensuring consistent productivity
Lower insurance premiums: An improved safety record can lead to reduced premiums—insurers recognise the lower risk associated with safer driving practices

Discover safety solutions that can help you cut costs