Is the threat of your employees’ distracted driving keeping you up at night? You’re not alone. Fleet managers everywhere face the growing epidemic of distracted driving—a problem that puts drivers, vehicles, and companies at risk daily.
If you already use telematics or other tech to track driving behavior, that’s a great start! But are you comparing that data to ongoing Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) reports? Read on to learn how MVR monitoring technology might be the missing piece you need to bolster your fight against distracted driving.
How does distracted driving affect fleets?
Distracted driving remains a major concern, consistently ranking as the leading cause of road accidents. Distractions can take many forms, such as texting, talking on the phone, eating, and adjusting the radio or GPS. Each activity diverts a driver’s attention, significantly increasing the risk of collisions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) reports that about 87 percent of rear-end crashes take place because the driver in the car following the lead vehicle is distracted. Talking or listening on a cell phone while driving is one of the top distracting activities.
In 2021, NHTSA reported that approximately 390,000 injuries were linked to accidents involving texting while driving.
Fleets that do not address distracted driving will likely experience increased accident rates. A study by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) found that distracted driving is linked to about 30% of all trucking accidents. Of course, with increased accident rates, companies may face skyrocketing insurance premiums, medical and repair costs, and potential lawsuits that can cripple business operations (aka, “Nuclear Verdicts”).
Recent nuclear verdict cases on distracted driving
Source: Tyson & Mendes- https://www.tysonmendes.com/cases/
How can MVR Monitoring help Spot Distracted Driving Trends
MVR Monitoring offers comprehensive solutions for identifying and addressing distracted driving behaviors among fleet drivers. Its near-real-time notifications alert fleet managers when drivers receive citations for distracted driving offenses, such as texting while driving, running stop signs, or making erratic lane changes. These MVR alerts empower leadership to intervene quickly, providing timely coaching and corrective training to address unsafe behaviors.
Its MVR scoring tool provides a visual representation of a driver’s risk level based on their history of violations. A yellow warning score could indicate potential issues, such as repeated distracted driving citations, prompting managers to focus their attention on those drivers. Additionally, managers can create their own score criteria to track specific distracted driving violations.
MVR Monitoring also offers personalized dashboards that allow fleet managers to customize their view of driver data, making it easier to track specific metrics related to distracted driving. These dashboards can highlight overall performance, violations, and patterns, helping managers quickly identify at-risk drivers.
Finally, fleets can assess the impact of distracted driving on overall safety by analyzing accident trends over time. If accident reports show a correlation between distractions and specific drivers, fleet managers can implement targeted training programs or policy changes to reduce these incidents.
Addressing Distracted Driving
MVR Monitoring helps fleet managers identify risky driving trends with real-time alerts and customizable risk-scoring tools. Combined with other fleet technologies, MVR Monitoring offers a proactive approach to mitigating distractions and improving overall fleet safety. By intervening quickly and implementing targeted training, fleets can reduce accidents, minimize legal risks, and foster a safer driving culture.
