What Driver Behavior Issues Are Most Easily Corrected?

With ever-improving in-vehicle technology, commercial fleets have the capability of operating much more safely with an enhanced understanding of where driving risk lies. The specific driving issues that are identified through technology end up with different exposures to risk and are different in their “resistance” to change.  The most important thing is not the identification of where driving risk resides, but what do you do specifically to correct it?

If we look at some of the various driving risk issues that are commonly identified, which ones are the easiest to fix and which ones can be effectively addressed by simpler/less expensive technology? And what are the issues that will inevitably need more attention?

Speeding—Drivers can drift into a habit of exceeding the speed limit. Speed by street functionality is not only very valuable (and can be delivered via many different types of solutions) but it is something that can be immediately improved once the driver understands his speed is being monitored. Very significant improvement in speed management can and should be expected immediately with proper communication with the drivers.

Idle time—while not specifically a safety issue, excessive idle time is another issue that is easy to track and fix. Attention to idle time management will result in savings, possibly very significant, immediately, once the driver understands that idle time is being tracked and where he/she stands in relation to the other drivers.

Seat Belt usage—This is another issue that is a bad habit that needs to be corrected through clear company policy as well as confirmation, potentially from telematics or video solutions, of seat belt use. It is another highly reactive safety issue, meaning drivers should correct virtually all instances of not using seat belts immediately.  This should be a zero tolerance issue.

Cell phone/other distraction—While there are now many quality tools to restrict the use of cell phones in vehicles, many fleets do not have this and rely on the following of company policy and trust. This is clearly a more difficult issue to attain compliance on as we, as a society, have become so dependent on constant use of our phones. Without eliminating the ability of the driver to handle his phone and look at his screen, this is a more challenging issue to fully correct. Lack of correction can have disastrous consequences.

Video technology also presents a unique opportunity to gain insight into other issues of distraction such as eating, drinking, looking at work orders or maps, etc. In addition, AI-oriented video solutions can identify drowsy driving issues, anger issues, as well as assist in driver identification. 

Momentum-change based risks—many risks are identified through interpretation of vehicle momentum change, typically via accelerometer data.

Acceleration—Excessive accelerations are indicative of aggressive driving behavior and are often correlated to speeding issues.  While specific identification of an acceleration “event” can be problematic (since any momentum change meaning is altered by the speed and the physics of the vehicle), it is a valid and effective approach to understand the tendency to be involved in the pattern of excessive accelerations and direct corrective communication to drivers on that basis. We have found acceleration issues to be slightly more challenging to correct since they are tied to long-established patterns. Correction/improvement leads to safer driving and better fuel efficiency.

Braking—Excessive braking is clearly one of the most important behaviors to be understand to mitigate the risk of at fault collisions. Hard braking occurs when the driver has either not been attentive to the driving situation (distraction) or has not allowed a safe following distance to be able to adapt smoothly and safely to unforeseen danger. Corrective guidance aimed at allowing a greater cushion of safety in front of the driver as well as continuing focus on the importance of the driver not being distracted by anything while in the act of driving, will improve the tendency to be involved in excessive braking. This is a more challenging problem, yet critically important issue to focus on correcting. Again the focus should be on evaluating the tendency to have a braking issues and not focus so much on the event.

Turning—This is another issue that is rooted in long-established driving patterns and it might take a little more time to motivate the driver to a safer state. Unsafe turning patterns are indicative of generally aggressive driving behavior and cause greater risk as the driver enters a new situation.

Summary

In summary, accelerometer-based momentum change issues (braking, accelerating, turning) typically require more time and attention to correct. In comparison, excessive speeding, excessive idling, and failing to use seat belts are issues that, when identified accurately, can be corrected immediately. Cell phone distraction can, but often isn’t, managed to a safe state.

The greatest risks of driving are driver distraction and not providing a safe cushion to respond to the driving situation ahead of the driver. With a safe following distance at a safe speed and perfect driver attention, at-fault accidents would be virtually non-existent.