If you’ve got fleet vehicles, then you’ve got loads of risk ranging from old fleet policies to ensuring your drivers drive safely and avoid accidents. A new survey highlights just how astonishingly confident terrible drivers are in their multitasking abilities.
Apparently, a whopping 47% of drivers proudly slap the label of "multitasking driver" on their driving habits. Translation: almost half the population believes they can juggle driving with their other vital duties, like texting, eating, or maybe even watching videos. Not surprisingly, the smartphone is the number one culprit in this chaotic circus, with a resounding 59% admitting to using it while behind the wheel. But hey, who needs their undivided attention on the road, right?
But it's not just the general public who are guilty of distracted driving. Commercial fleets are also at risk. In fact, 6% of fleet driver accidents are caused by driver distraction—interestingly business owners believe that number to be more like 30% of accidents are caused by distracted driving.
So what can business owners do to mitigate distracted driving in their fleets?
One option is to install technology that can detect and alert drivers when they are distracted. This technology can be used to track driver behavior, and it can also be used to provide real-time feedback to drivers.
Another option is to create a culture of safety in your company. This means emphasizing the importance of avoiding distractions while driving, and it also means taking disciplinary action against drivers who violate the company's distracted driving policy. Caution: if you go down this road, be prepared to enforce infractions equally-- from the junior apprentice to the CEO.
Business owners have a responsibility to keep their drivers safe. By taking steps to mitigate distracted driving, you can help to make the roads safer for everyone.
P.S. If you're one of those drivers who thinks you're actually better at driving when you're multitasking, you're wrong. You're not better at driving when you're distracted. You're just lucky you haven't gotten into an accident yet.