A recent survey suggests that distracted driving incidents, primarily caused by mobile phones, are costing fleets money and disrupting operations.
The survey, unveiled by connected mobility platform Teletrac Navman, says 70 per cent of fleets are impacted by distracted driving incidents.
Out of these distractions, 68 per cent of survey respondents identified mobile phone use as the primary cause.
Teletrac Navman says that nearly 49 per cent of respondents report that distracted driving had a direct financial cost on their business, with 40 per cent saying it caused operational distractions.
In the survey, 28 per cent said distracted driving led to safety and compliance breaches while 25 per cent reported reputational damage.
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With the federal government’s department of transport registering 176 fatalities from crashes involving heavy vehicles from June 2023 to June 2024 alone, the high rate of distracted driving due to mobile phones is cause for concern.
“This is a statistic that underscores the need for urgent action, and this report documents how fleet operators around the world are looking to make a significant change,” Teletrac Navman CEO Alain Samaha says.
“Safety and distracted driving jeopardises the lives of drivers and the general public but also poses significant commercial risks. These risks can lead to increased insurance premiums and various direct costs associated with safety incidents, underscoring the critical importance of prioritising safe driving practices within the industry.”
To combat this trend and lower the number of incidents, operators are instilling technology, training and developing a culture safety. Among the technology employed, 78 per cent of respondents say that they are using advanced telematics solutions, with 80 per cent reporting positive impacts from cameras.
Whether it be forward-facing or driver-facing dash cams, the idea of collective visibility is clearly on the rise when it comes to curbing driver behaviour and improving operational safety.
In the survey, 70 per cent of respondents say they are using technology in conjunction with coaching programs to reinforce safe driving practices, with the survey showing a correlation between the effectiveness of interventions.
To complement this, 73 per cent of respondents believe their solutions for reducing distracted driving were effective, with the data providing insights into the perceived impact of these solutions.
“Our customers seek effective solutions that not only enhance driver well-being but also ensure operational efficiency and sustainability, but prioritising safety is paramount,” Samaha says.
“Our commitment is to empower fleet operators with the tools they need to create safer work environments.”
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