This article was originally published in Fleet News.
One in 10 drivers (12%) say stress caused by work is the main reason for accidents, according to new research from Lightfoot.
A further 12% point towards phone calls made during journeys, and 4% highlighting urgent work emails as the chief cause of their accident.
With a quarter of drivers stating that they have been involved in an accident or collision going from or returning to work, or during a work related journey, the findings show that there’s still a long way to go before work-related causes of road accidents are eradicated, says Lightfoot.
Mark Roberts, founder and CEO of Lightfoot, explained: “Work-related stress resulting in road accidents should be a red flag for all businesses operating company cars and fleet vehicles.
“Policies need to be in place to reduce unreasonable pressure on drivers as businesses have a duty of care to their staff. If they fail in this respect, there could be serious consequences for both employees and businesses.”
He continued: “Our findings show that, all too often, staff are under pressure to get to a client, customer or meeting in unrealistic time-frames, resulting in stress and over-speeding. Unsurprisingly, that pressure – even when indirect – leads to accidents.
“Addressing this issue is no easy task, but businesses can empower their staff through technology such as Lightfoot that actively encourages and enables smoother, safer driving.
“Only when businesses actively make a commitment to protecting their staff by making over-speeding or risky driving unacceptable, will drivers feel less pressure.
“Fail to do this and staff are at risk of feeling pressured to drive in a manner that has the potential to put them, their passengers and other motorists on the road at risk. With one in three road deaths involving a vehicle being driven for work, this is an issue that fleet managers need to take seriously.”
Lightfoot aims to empower drivers to avoid hazardous driving by providing drivers with real-time feedback that keeps them in the smooth spot of the engine, helping to dramatically cut the incidence of accidental over-speeding, erratic or aggressive driving.
Roberts said: “Businesses that buy in to Lightfoot, are making a commitment to their staff that they expect and encourage smooth and safe driving. Becoming part of the culture of the business, drivers are mandated to drive sensibly, which means that managers have to plan realistic timeframes for journeys, making it their first thought, rather than the last. In this one act, drivers are relieved of much of the stress that can lead to dangerous driving.
“Moreover, through Lightfoot’s reward package, drivers are actively encouraged to become ‘Elite Drivers’.”
Only those achieving a Lightfoot score of 85%-plus – the Elite Driver standard – have the opportunity to enter into draws to win cash through The Drivers’ Lottery, or prizes ranging from hotel breaks to the latest consumer technology devices.
