Brake has called for fleet operators to crackdown on driver distraction, after the results of a survey showed more than one third do not monitor distraction levels.
Brake’s annual fleet safety survey was completed by more than 350 fleet operators, who between them manage more than 267,000 vehicles including cars, vans, trucks and mopeds.
The driver distractions highlighted by Brake include mobile phone use, in-vehicle technology, eating and drinking, music, smoking and personal grooming.
More than a third of respondents (128 fleets) admitted to not monitoring driver distraction levels – while 71% claimed to implement policies aimed at preventing driver distraction.
The survey found that of the fleets that have distraction policies in place, less than a third (32%) include restrictions on the use of hands-free phones, despite the risk of distraction.
More than a quarter (26%) of the fleets surveyed don’t run any driver education/awareness sessions, either face-to-face or online, on the topic of driver distraction.
Ross Moorlock, business development director at Brake, said: “Driving requires the full attention of the driver. Distraction at the wheel can have devastating consequences and is a factor in a significant number of crashes.
“Our survey shows many fleet managers are still not doing enough to prevent driver distraction.
“While many are aware of the risks of distraction, this needs to be better reflected in company policy, as well as through the introduction of best practice initiatives, evidenced based interventions, effective driver education and data monitoring.
“I’d recommend that all fleet managers take a look at our survey report and take action now.”
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