Good drivers are the backbone of every successful fleet. They also represent a great deal of risk for fleet managers. When trying to decide whether a fleet safety course is worth it, fleet managers should look at all the factors that apply to their particular fleet.

Taking steps to prepare drivers for winter road conditions requires focusing on details of safety under cold weather conditions. The time to start preparing is in the weeks before the winter weather arrives. 

In fleets requiring drivers to travel long distances (such as sales fleets), most drivers either use their own vehicle or one provided by the company. One of the biggest keys to manage risk when driving in these situations is for the driver to receive training in the vehicle they use for work.

For every fleet, success depends on driver performance. Safe driving practices are essential to fleets running efficiently and effectively. Behind the wheel training is key for drivers, teaching them the best practices for driving a business-owned vehicle.

The emergence of electric vehicles (EV) represents a way for fleets to reduce the impact of operations on the environment. But it also presents new challenges, with technology inside the cabin that may serve as a distraction for drivers, potentially leading to costly crashes and collisions.

There are a wide variety of driver improvement courses for fleet drivers that help them improve behind-the-wheel performance. The training helps improve the safety of the drivers themselves and others on the road. It also helps fleets better manage risk, reduce insurance costs and build employee confidence in their abilities.

One of the keys to successful fleet management is making smart decisions when buying new fleet vehicles. It’s important to weigh the most critical factors for this major investment, including the intended use of the vehicle, the routes the vehicle will travel, maintenance issues associated with the vehicle and choosing the right ADAS features, especially those with the best performance ratings, can reduce the chance of crashes.

Fleet managers looking for training that benefits drivers of all skill levels can turn to online defensive driving courses to provide high-quality, effective driver training to their fleet. Online courses give managers a variety of options so they can choose the training that best meets their needs, including instructor-led virtual courses, self-paced eLearning courses, and online assessments.

Fleet managers must constantly assess risk in many different areas, but almost all the situations that can lead to potential liability involve driver performance. Developing a driver risk management program is a smart step toward lowering risk, improving safety, and avoiding liability lawsuits.

Multitasking while driving is one of the most dangerous things a driver can do behind the wheel. Why? Because drivers are fooling themselves believing they can multitask. Extensive research has proven that drivers are actually performing separate tasks sequentially and once attention is moved to a non-driving task, risk factors significantly increase. Unfortunately, the result is apparent in crash data, with distracted driving ranked as one of the biggest causes of traffic fatalities every year.

Fleet managers face many challenges, but choosing the right fleet driver training program should not rank among them. Advances in today’s training programs allow managers to more easily find the specific type of training that best suits their needs.

Engineers design Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS) to make driving safer, but recent traffic crash data shows they may pose safety risks. This is especially the case for drivers who have not received behind-the-wheel training on the best strategies for using ADAS.

For fleet managers, improving driver safety involves providing training on the best behind-the-wheel behaviors as well as empowering drivers to practice those behaviors. A key component of that practice is the ride along that gives fleet managers or supervisors an in-person chance to assess and correct any issues, leading to safer and more efficient fleets.

Roads have become considerably more dangerous in recent years, and part of the problem is an increase in aggressive driving and incidents involving road rage. Reversing this troubling trend will require each driver to change their behind-the-wheel behavior.

Even as the availability of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)  increases, older drivers still use the systems at about the same rate as they did years ago, a new study has found. They also perceived the safety of ADAS as about the same.

Pedestrian traffic fatalities increased in 2021, continuing a trend over the past few years that has seen the rate of pedestrian deaths involving a vehicle reach historic highs. During that time, the number of pedestrian traffic fatalities also has increased far faster than other types of traffic-related deaths.

Drowsy driving ranks among the worst offenders when it comes to poor driving habits that lead to crashes. The ability to recognize the signs of driver fatigue is key to creating a fleet safety culture that eliminates those habits and the risk of crash-related injuries.

College-owned vehicle driver safety is an issue universities and colleges across the country should take seriously. With a fleet of vehicles used by employees and students in an environment with many inexperienced drivers and distracted pedestrians, academic institutions that offer driver training can create a safer campus and reduce their liability risk for off campus driving.

The United States has a complex transportation system used by millions of commercial and private drivers every day. Addressing and mitigating the risks that fleet drivers face involves a strategy known as the safe system approach. It’s a holistic strategy that includes areas such as infrastructure, human behavior and emergency response.

Fleet managers face a challenge in trying to mitigate risk by providing high-quality, effective driver training. In addition to finding a service that provides updated and relevant training content, they also must find a way to schedule all their drivers while minimizing time off the road.

Reading, Seeing, Doing

As vehicles become more sophisticated with advanced driver assist systems (ADAS), drivers are falling further behind in understanding how these systems perform, or even worse, have ill-conceived notions of how these systems function. In hindsight it seems, the better the technology becomes; the worse drivers get. However, we can’t be that surprised knowing how little training most individuals have received on this topic. Safety researchers continue to issue warnings about the lack of training and because of this, repeatedly emphasize how ADAS will never live up to its full potential.

The Driving Dynamics “SEE the Advantage System™” takes information gathered from years of research about the causes of crashes and helps drivers develop habits to avoid them. This system includes both an effective, advanced defensive driving strategy and critical vehicle control skills for drivers of all vehicle types.

In this blog, we’ll focus on the advanced defensive driving strategy component called SEE. This is an easy to remember acronym encouraging drivers to regularly use the SEE three-step process to anticipate potential traffic hazards and respond in a safe manner. They are:

The foundational principles that Driving Dynamics build much of its training upon is contained in One Second Advantage. The core idea is that drivers can avoid most crashes and collisions if they have just one more second to see and react to potential hazards.

As fleets invest in making a transition to electric vehicles (EVs), they should include EV driver training as
part of the transition. A failure to do so could have a negative impact on safety and energy consumption,
while investing in training could help fleets and drivers better manage risk.

A new state law will have a significant impact on New Jersey vehicle tracking. Fleets operating in the state must now inform drivers when they install GPS tracking devices in vehicles. The new law takes effect April 18, 2022.

For managers, driver safety is always the primary concern. They are always on the lookout for training and techniques that can lower the chance of a crash or collision, making roads safer and drivers better at their jobs.

Vision Zero is a movement that started in Sweden in the 1990s. It calls for eliminating all traffic accidents and severe injuries, while also increasing safe, equitable and healthy mobility for all people. After taking hold in many European cities, it now is taking off in the United States.

Many companies associate driver training with news hires. While that certainly provides benefits, an area that fleet managers should not overlook is remedial fleet driver training for veteran and at-risk drivers.

Fleets should start preparing for winter driving as early as possible, giving them a chance to communicate it to all drivers. Those winter driving plans should align with overall safety policies and include in-depth inspections and maintenance service for all vehicles.

For fleets that want to train drivers in the best practices for avoiding crashes and maintaining vehicle control, DriveReady Advantage from Driving Dynamics offers them a smart, convenient way to learn critical safe driving abilities.

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) features for fleets improve. But for fleet managers, the first step to implement ADAS is not just looking at the technology, but at their drivers.

Santa’s sleigh ride is famous for sure,
But this year there are twists and turns that offer much more.
The start we all know, but with new chapters and pages, 
So, buckle up for a safe driving tale made for the ages…

Companies with large fleets benefit from creating a driver safety policy that requires drivers in their fleet get training that will make them better - and safer - at their job. This applies not only to new hires, but also at-risk drivers and veterans who want to brush up on their driving skills.

We often see headlines about traffic deaths centered around highway safety statistics, but seldom do we see the data on how many people are injured. Recent 2020 highway traffic safety reports bring into focus why this is such an important metric to consider. As we all struggled through the pandemic, a phenomenon occurred in which drivers exhibited unusually high aggressive behaviors and risk levels. This resulted in disturbing statistics that have likely affected all of us in some way or another.

A driver’s personality traits and emotional state influence how they behave behind the wheel. The key to good driving is mastering them.

It’s possible to train fleet drivers virtually and give them all the knowledge and skills they get in a traditional classroom. With fleet employee VILT (Virtual Instructor Led Training), businesses have an effective, affordable solution that teaches fleet drivers safe driving methods that can make the difference between a trip that ends safely or one that ends in a crash.

Consider the keys your drivers use today to operate their vehicles. They’re quite different, with more advanced features than the keys used just a decade ago. Just like these keys, your company’s driver safety training needs more advanced features both in the learning objectives covered and the instructional methods used to effectively address safety issues drivers’ struggle with today.

Fleet driver virtual training allows drivers to take online lessons and courses that teach them safe driving skills for use in real-world situations. The online virtual training gives drivers the chance to learn the skills they need from wherever they have an internet connection, making it more convenient for fleet managers to train drivers.

Fleet driver safety training for Pharma and Medical Sales reps involves specialized training that teaches drivers the latest best practices for safety, including steps to avoid collisions and crashes. It’s especially important for a mobile sales force that often logs twice as many miles on the road each year than most drivers.

During the height of the pandemic in 2020, the number of road traffic fatalities increased over 7% in the United States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has now reported that, compared to 2020, 1^st quarter 2021 fatalities, increased another 10%! NHTSA is now projecting over 40,000 fatalities this year. These sobering statistics have led fleet and safety professionals to renew their efforts in finding ways to better train drivers and reduce driving fatalities.

A talented fleet training provider that improves drivers’ productivity, lowers the number of crashes and improves risk management results is key to success for commercial fleets. Unfortunately, many fleet operators, when experiencing declining results or just minor improvements, believe their options are limited and choose to do nothing.

The good news is that making the switch is not difficult if companies know what to look for in a quality fleet training provider. The following list includes some of the qualities of the best fleet training providers. Look for those that meet these criteria. It can make both your fleet and the nation’s road that much safer.

Distracted driving refers to any activity that takes a driver’s attention off the road. It’s a serious issue in North America, with thousands of people injured or killed each year in crashes caused by distracted drivers.

The first driver’s education course was held in 1934 at a high school in State College, Pennsylvania and conducted by Amos Neyhart, a professor at Penn State University. Vehicles, roads, traffic conditions and behavioral issues have evolved greatly since then, so just how well have we kept up with preparing people to drive safely—especially those who are required to spend hours each week behind the wheel as part of their job responsibilities?

Big data is really here. The amount of details we can amass related to drivers’ activities behind-the-wheel is impressive and loaded with powerful, useful intelligence. However, organizations that have access to this may still face challenges achieving maximum results because a data-driven focus can have an unintentional consequence—To see the driver as a problem to be controlled rather than a resource to be leveraged.

Anytime your drivers hit the road, they are surrounded by any number of people with diminished operational control. Distractions, speeding, fatigue, aggression, DUI—it’s a minefield out there. Faced with the 'other driver' and their poor decisions and actions it’s certainly no easy job to manage your fleet’s risk exposure but together we prepare your drivers to steer clear of the oncoming danger.

Driving in parking lots may seem non-threatening with low-speed limits and neatly organized rows and spaces, but according to the National Safety Council, tens of thousands of crashes occur in lots and garage structures annually. And, further analysis of data indicates that 9 percent of pedestrian deaths in parking lots result from backing incidents. (National Safety Council, 2016)

The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) revealed that there was an increase of fatalities in truck-involved crashes from 2017 to 2018. (Overdrive, 2018). And, another report found that more than half of passenger vehicle drivers involved in these fatal truck crashes were cited for driver-related factors—fatigue, speeding and inattention. (Consumer Notice, 2018).

Believe it or not, most motorists on the road today are Unconscious Incompetents. What does that mean? In the case of driving it refers to individuals who unintentionally put themselves at risk because they are unaware of the consequences of their actions while driving. Common examples include speeding through a yellow light, rolling through stop signs, or weaving in and out of traffic. If an individual never faces any repercussions as a result of these actions, their habits will eventually be hard-wired into their everyday driving style.

Advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) are only effective when drivers understand when and how to use them. While some vehicle technologies seem simple, it’s important to understand the capabilities and limitations of each to operate a vehicle safely. Put your knowledge to the test!

Every day, we are sharing the road with more drivers operating their vehicles with diminished capacity. And as more states legalize the use of marijuana, the message of vigilance and preparedness is worth repeating.

Researchers at leading traffic safety institutes around the world acknowledge that training plays an important role in developing values, beliefs, sound habits, and skills. But, that’s only if the proper instructional design methods for adult learners are incorporated into driver training programs

Despite 77 percent of fleets using telematics, most are not taking full advantage of the benefits offered by these systems. Since the technology is in the vehicle, it provides fleet managers real-time information which can be used to improve more than just vehicle efficiencies and lower fuel costs. A somewhat known, but not yet fully understood area for this technology, is that it can be used to support companies’ safety initiatives. The telematics devices actually allow fleet managers to analyze drivers’ performances more accurately than ever before.

As reported by the National Safety Council, the U.S. has experienced three straight years of at least 40,000 roadway deaths. In 2018, there was a decline of roughly one percent from road deaths in 2017, but a 14 percent increase from four years ago. One of the contributing factors is the continuing increase in the number of drivers on the road and miles driven, which correspondingly increases the crash risks for your driver population.

We all daydream occasionally; maybe a bit more than we realize. It’s fun, sometimes relaxing, and perhaps good for our mental health. But the truth be told; it can also have dangerous consequences if it happens while operating a vehicle.

We all know change is hard, especially when it is a behavior that has evolved into an everyday habit. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average age of most automotive fleet and commercial drivers is 55 years old, meaning they have spent more than 30 years behind the wheel of a motorized vehicle. With that amount of time on the road, it’s possible that these veteran drivers have developed poor, self-taught driving habits of which they are unaware. They may deem their habitual driving actions, like braking late for an approaching red light, speeding or rolling through a stop sign, as safe, because they have never endured any penalty or consequence from their actions.

Fleet operators are perplexed. In the past few years sizable investments have been made in equipping vehicles with the newest safety technologies, implementing telematics, perhaps trying predictive analytics, increasing the frequency.

If advanced-driver-assist system (ADAS) technologies are installed on all vehicles, it could potentially prevent more than 2.7 million crashes, 1.1 million injuries and nearly 9,500 deaths each year according to a report by AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. However, it also warns that many drivers are unaware of the current safety limitations. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety notes that lack of understanding or confusion about the proper function of these technologies can lead to misuse or over-reliance, which could result in deadly crashes.

Producing a business plan and budget requires time, effort, forward-thinking, compromises, and multiple revisions in accomplishing a yearly forecast. Each year, companies identify key projects which they hope will bring value to their organizations and customers. One of the responsibilities of leaders is to challenge management on what the Return on Investment (ROI) will be for these new projects. From here we prioritize and decide which ones to pursue and implement in the coming year. The ROI consideration underpins so many of the final decisions on how to proceed. In many, if not most, corporate cultures this will shape the business strategy along with decisions made during the upcoming year. It will also have a significant influence on how managers and employees conduct themselves.

The rear-end collision is the most common type of automobile crash.  Almost 40% of the six million accidents that happen each year are rear-end collisions. Furthermore, almost 87% of the crashes were caused from drivers not paying adequate attention to the road.

Each year Driving Dynamics trains thousands of drivers across the country. During these classes instructors ask trainees to ‘raise their hand if they feel they are above average drivers. Invariably, most students do raise their hands and make comments such as: “You bet I am, I haven’t had an accident or a fender bender in over 20 years.” Hey. I know everything there is about driving correctly. As a matter of fact, I just taught my kid how to drive.”

Picture this scenario: You, an experienced driver, are traveling through the city at the posted speed-limit. You find yourself negotiating busy intersections, changing traffic patterns―then all of a sudden your phone rings. What is your next move?

By now most of us have seen media reports regarding the troubling crash statistics related to different types of distracted driving, especially one's influenced by cell phone use. What is it about this activity that causes a driver’s performance capabilities to diminish? While there are many causes of distracted driving, here we are focusing on understanding the physiology of how phone calls and texting dramatically reduces the amount of information a driver can process in order to safely operate a vehicle.

During the past decade, a collective approach for reducing crashes has been essentially to scold or persistently urge drivers, to the point of annoyance, about why they should not drive while distracted.  In other words: nag, nag, and nag. Now, nagging to effect change has been a go-to method used throughout history by parents, spouses, the press and government regulators. And as crashes caused by distracted driving have reached epidemic levels, fleet management has also now become a prolific practitioner of nag-o-nomics, if you will, as a tool to deter distracting behaviors by their drivers.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motor vehicle crash fatalities are down by one percent after two consecutive years of large increases—which is great, but not enough. There were still around 40,000 fatalities in 2018.While the recent report for 2018 hasn’t published, it shared that the downward trend has continued into the first half of the year. NHTSA shared the projection of traffic fatalities for the first half of 2018 represented a decrease of around 3.1 percent compared to the first half of 2017.

There is probably not a day that goes by when you see someone taking unnecessary driving risks. If you are like most individuals, this can make you quite uncomfortable—maybe even angry at times. Without a doubt, aggressive driving is a serious and growing problem. It is rude, often illegal, and always dangerous. Speeding, tailgating, frequent and sudden lane changes, failure to yield right-of-way and disregarding traffic signals—these aggressive behaviors are contributing factors in more than 50 percent of all collisions. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published the report, “What Do Traffic Crashes Cost? Total Cost to Employers by State and Industry,” in 2003, which identified, among other vital statistics, the average cost employers incurred with each vehicle crash. Funded by NHTSA, the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) released “Cost of Motor Vehicle Crashes to Employers—2015™”an update to the 2003 report which should receive careful review by anyone involved in Fleet operations.

I had reached a certain age; grown the requisite over-sized waistline (I’m being kind to myself) and now sported a graying beard. Like tens of thousands before me sharing these similar traits, I purchased my first motorcycle. Go figure! And I have to say I’m enjoying the heck out of my weekend rides.