Distracted Drivers Set To Increase

Fleet driver distraction is set to increase as more employees start driving again as  

Covid-19 lockdown measures ease.    

Employers are facing new challenges in how to keep employees safe whilst driving.    

Consideration of irregular vehicle use over a prolonged period, changes to road layouts,  

onset of fatigue and employee dependence on technology all signal dangers to fleet  

managers.    

Employers are raising awareness and equipping managers and drivers with practical  

strategies for dealing with the transition to once again driving for the allocated time of  

their shift.    

Retraining employees on practical road hazards will be essential, but of equal importance  

will be encouraging employees to make positive changes to their behaviour, managing  

their time, recognising active and passive fatigue, how to cope, identifying vulnerable  

road users, work and non-work related stress, driving distractions, speeding, mindful  

driving and healthy driving and wellbeing habits.    

More people are now returning to our roads after a prolonged lockdown period and my  

research has found that people’s fears of getting out and about are causing them to lose  

focus and impacting on their driving and road safety.    

Skills Fade From Homeworking  

Drivers who have been furloughed and driving more irregularly are likely to find  

themselves out-of-practice and suffering from skills-fade from not being on the road as  

often.  

Even infrequent driving journey are likely to have been associated with higher levels of  

stress and anxiety, which are more likely to contribute to distraction and higher risk  

behaviour whilst driving.    

Video-calls Reduce Journey Length  

The increase in zoom and on-line video calls has meant that long journeys have been  

reduced.  However short journeys are cognitively demanding and drivers become more  

susceptible to “active fatigue” caused by busy, urban roads.  The demands in towns and  

cities require focus and concentration on numerous busy junctions, pedestrians, cyclists  

and road signs which all must be mentally processed and followed.    

New Mobility Mix  

There are likely to be more changes to road layouts to accommodate the new trends  

towards local journeys with people walking and cycling more.  This new mobility mix  

means that drivers will need to be even more aware and maintain their focus as they  

adapt to the new road layouts and driving environment.    

Nurturing Employees  

People are more conscious now of their well-being and are looking to their employers to  

mirror their values.  Companies that value the health, safety and well-being of their  

employees will want to re-train, support and create feelings of safety for their  

employees.    

Of course, there is an economic benefit as costs associated with road traffic incidents are  

likely to decrease and productivity is likely to increase.    

Perhaps Covid-19 will cause a pivotal shift in driver and road safety…