Preventing Distracted Driving: How Fleet Managers Can Enhance Safety with AI Technology
All drivers must stay vigilant about distracted driving, but the risks are significantly higher for those operating large Class 6-8 vehicles. Preventing distracted driving is crucial because the consequences are often more severe and deadly for drivers behind the wheel of large trucks.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) identifies distracted driving as the leading cause of accidents among truck drivers. According to the same source, driver inattention and impairment rank as the second most common driver-related causes of fatal large truck accidents.
Distractions come in many forms, from eating and texting to a wandering mind. Even a brief lapse in attention can cause a driver to make a mistake. Drivers must always stay alert and drive defensively because even minor distractions can lead to serious consequences.
Fortunately, fleet managers can implement strategies to help drivers stay focused, resist distractions, and prioritize safety. This article discusses the types of distracted driving, its impact on fleets, and tools to prevent distracted driving.
What is Distracted Driving?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines distracted driving as any activity that diverts attention from driving. The Smith System breaks distracted driving into three categories:
- Cognitive distraction happens when a driver’s mind is focused on something other than driving. Examples include talking to passengers, emotional distress, drowsy driving, or impaired driving. Between 2017 and 2021, drowsy driving alone accounted for 17.6% of all fatal crashes.
- Manual distraction involves any activity that causes a driver to take their hands off the wheel, such as eating, using a phone, or adjusting the radio.
- Visual distraction occurs when a driver looks away from the road. This includes activities like reading road signs, checking a GPS, or reading messages on a mobile device. Even looking away for five seconds while driving at highway speeds means the vehicle travels the length of a football field without the driver’s full attention.
Mobile Phone Use: The Most Dangerous Distraction
Mobile phone use remains one of the most common and dangerous distractions. The NHTSA states that it “combines visual, manual, and cognitive distractions.” In 2022, 12.1% of fatal crashes involving distraction were linked to mobile phone use.
Mobile phones are deeply embedded in daily life, making this form of distraction challenging to combat. GPS systems, often accessed through smartphones, create an additional challenge, and drivers may struggle to resist checking messages or notifications while using their phones for navigation.
While 93% of drivers believe that texting or emailing while driving is highly dangerous, 37% admitted to doing so in the last month. Even though texting while driving is illegal in 48 states, it remains a widespread issue.
The Effects of Distracted Driving
Distracted drivers react more slowly, making it harder to brake or swerve to avoid hazards. They also struggle to maintain safe distances, stay in their lanes, and use signals properly. This phenomenon, known as “inattention blindness,” means the driver’s attention isn’t fully on the task of driving.
The Financial Cost of Distracted Driving
The financial impact of distracted driving is substantial. Costs include medical bills, liability, lost work hours, property damage, and vehicle repairs. In 2018, motor vehicle crashes cost employers £59.1 billion, with £15.4 billion attributed to distracted driving.
Fleets also face higher insurance premiums following distracted driving-related crashes. Between 2008 and 2020, insurance premiums per mile rose by 47%, increasing from £0.048 to £0.071. Adopting technology and safe driving protocols can help prevent distracted driving and avoid further premium hikes.
Preventing Distracted Driving: Technology and Training
Fleets understand the need for safety training, but many don’t realize how AI-powered technology can support these efforts. AI-powered dash cameras provide real-time feedback, helping drivers improve their habits and make safer decisions. These systems detect risky behaviors, such as hard braking or sudden swerving, and issue in-cab alerts or voice prompts to remind drivers to stay focused.
Drivers can also review reports and footage to learn from incidents and improve their performance. Fleet managers can use this data for targeted coaching, offering insights for improvement and recognizing safe driving practices.
Establishing clear policies that limit distractions, such as prohibiting mobile phone use while driving, is essential. Company-issued mobile devices should only be used when the vehicle is stationary. Additionally, AI-powered fleet management systems can monitor drivers’ rest breaks, reducing the risk of drowsy driving — a major form of cognitive distraction.
Prevent Distracted Driving with Netradyne®
Distracted driving poses a serious risk to the safety of drivers and others on the road. However, fleets can take proactive measures to prevent distracted driving by using the right technology. Netradyne’s AI-powered fleet management system empowers drivers to stay focused and provides fleet managers with tools to support safer driving.
Get in Touch
If you want to learn more or have any questions, feel free to contact us directly at 01274 597748 or email us at sales@satmo.co.uk our other blog posts are also available here: https://satmo.co.uk/blog/
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