Mitigating Distracted Driving Risks Across Fleet Operations

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Distracted driving poses significant dangers, not only to truck drivers, but to everyone sharing the road. For companies operating fleets—whether in logistics, construction, utilities or passenger transport—the consequences can be severe, impacting employee safety, operational continuity and liability exposure. In 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that distracted driving resulted in 3,275 fatalities and nearly 325,000 injuries in the United States.

This reality underscores the urgent need for fleet-operating organizations to prioritize distraction prevention year-round. By reassessing their safety policies and implementing robust strategies to reduce risk, trucking companies can pave the way for safer trips.

Understanding the Different Types of Driver Distractions

Distracted driving is defined as anything that causes a driver to take their attention away from driving, including shifting their gaze from the road or removing their hands off the steering wheel. These distractions occur both inside and outside the truck cab and can be grouped in the following three categories: visual, manual and cognitive.

• Visual distractions cause a driver to take their eyes off the road and can include adjusting navigation systems or temperature controls, using dispatching devices or looking at a passing building or billboard.
• Manual distractions cause a driver to take their hands off the wheel and can include eating, drinking, answering calls or text messages or adjusting the radio.
• Cognitive distractions cause a driver to lose focus or concentration when driving and can include talking to passengers, road rage and stressed or fatigued driving.

Distracted drivers are also less likely to safely respond to adverse roadways and weather conditions by failing to recognize hazards and reacting too slowly to changing traffic conditions.

The impact of these distractions is amplified in fleet operations due to the size and weight of the vehicles involved. For example, drivers may be fined up to $2,750  and put out of service for four months or disqualified for repeat offenses. These consequences aren’t only limited to the drivers. Fleet owners will also be financially burdened by their drivers’ choices if it is found that they enable drivers to use hand-held devices while operating their vehicles. This can result in fines up to $11,000.

4 Key Strategies to Prevent Distracted Driving

To keep drivers focused on the task at hand and ensure they safely complete their trips, use the following essential strategies:

1. Offer Comprehensive Training

Fleet operators should invest in driver training and education programs that emphasize the dangers of distraction. Additionally, these programs should provide practical techniques for maintaining focus behind the wheel, such as:

• Adjusting the air conditioning, mirrors, seat and any other controls before driving
• Taking breaks periodically to eat, drink and rest
• Getting sufficient sleep prior to driving, especially for long-distance routes
• Turning off personal devices or setting them on “Do Not Disturb” mode

An effective driver training course will underscore the importance of staying alert, minimizing distractions and always adhering to safety protocols. Fleet owners should implement driver training as part of their employee onboarding processes and require that drivers review these safety instructions regularly, such as through pre-trip safety briefings and monthly safety meetings.

2. Leverage Safety Technology

Advanced safety features can help alert drivers to potential hazards and intervene when necessary. These include:

• Collision avoidance systems, designed to warn drivers, often using cameras or sensors, before a crash can occur.
• Lane departure warnings, which help drivers stay within lane markers.
• Fatigue monitoring technologies, which calculate fatigue risk levels and help to prevent accidents due to driver exhaustion.

Telematics systems can provide valuable insights into driver behavior, enabling companies to proactively identify and address risky practices. Most significantly, in-cab cameras, especially those with both an inward and outward facing element, can generate actionable data regarding driver behavior and distractions. This data collection allows fleets to determine which drivers have significant challenges with distraction, which they can then use to develop an improvement plan, such as retraining, to help alleviate the risk.

3. Cultivate a Safety Culture

Fleet owners must establish clear policies regarding the unauthorized use of electronic devices while driving, with strict consequences for non-compliance. Additionally, encouraging open communication channels between management and drivers can foster an environment where safety concerns can be promptly addressed with corrective measures.

4. Conduct Regular Vehicle Maintenance

Regular vehicle maintenance and inspections play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of truck drivers and other road users. Well-maintained vehicles are less prone to mechanical failures that can contribute to accidents, thereby reducing the likelihood of distractions caused by unexpected issues on the road.

Distracted driving remains a significant threat, but with dedicated efforts in training, technology implementation and cultural shifts towards safety, fleet-operating companies can mitigate these risks. At Alliant, we bring decades of experience in risk mitigation, offering tailored insurance coverage and risk management strategies to protect businesses across various industries. Contact an Alliant representative for more information on how you can better protect your fleet operations.