Many business drivers have unsafe habits that could be putting themselves and others at risk, according to IAM Roadsmart.
The road safety charity said data taken from more than 4,500 participants in its Driving for Work course revealed that 28% were failing to check their mirrors or blind spots, 23% did not maintain a safe following distance to vehicles ahead of them, and 22% were failing to observe the road ahead for potential hazards.
The charity has also reported on driving behaviour that could hurt fuel economy, with 33% of drivers rated as below average for gear selection, and 34% classed as poor at managing speed and space around their vehicle.
IAM Roadsmart policy and standards director Nicholas Lyes said: “These findings will make disappointing reading for many fleet managers who are on the frontline for ensuring safety and reducing their organisation’s cost and carbon footprint.
“What these results show is that bad habits creep in over time, even with good drivers. The implications for fleets are significant, not only in terms of damage to vehicles, but for the safety of drivers and other road users and as a consequence, reputation. In far too many cases, drivers are failing to carry out even basic actions, like checking their mirrors or maintaining a safe distance from the vehicles in front.
“These actions also have cost implications – but a few small changes can make a big difference – such as eliminating over-revving and managing speed. By doing so, modestly sized fleets save tens of thousands of pounds each year, while larger fleets are potentially wasting more than £70,000 annually.
“Regular top-up driver training is the best way to maintain standards, keep safe on the roads and prevent the costs that come from poor driving behaviours from spiralling out of control.”
