Teletrac Navman survey reveals impact of mobile distractions

Teletrac Navman has released findings from its global survey on distracted driving, which identifies mobile phone use as a primary cause of road incidents.

The survey, conducted by Teletrac Navman, reports that 70% of businesses have been impacted by distracted driving incidents. Of the respondents, 68% attribute these distractions to mobile phone use.

Distracted driving is a growing concern for businesses that depend on fleet operations. The reliance on mobile devices is increasing the potential for distractions, resulting in nearly 49% of survey respondents indicating a financial cost on their business due to distracted driving. Additionally, 40% reported operational disruptions, 28% mentioned safety and compliance breaches, and 25% experienced reputational damage.

The Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication, and the Arts reported 176 fatalities from crashes involving heavy vehicles from June 2023 to June 2024. This statistic underscores the urgent need for action.

"This is a statistic that underscores the need for urgent action, and this report documents how fleet operators around the world are looking to make a significant change," said Alain Samaha, CEO of Teletrac Navman. "Safety and distracted driving jeopardises the lives of drivers and the general public but also poses significant commercial risks. These risks can lead to increased insurance premiums and various direct costs associated with safety incidents, underscoring the critical importance of prioritising safe driving practices within the industry."

Fleet operators are employing technology, training, and fostering a culture of safety to reduce distracted driving incidents. The survey highlights that 78% of respondents are utilising advanced telematics solutions, including forward-facing cameras, driver-facing dash cams, and digital coaching apps. These tools aim to enhance visibility into driver behaviour and improve operational safety.

A significant 70% of respondents are combining technology with coaching programmes to reinforce safe driving practices. This strategy is yielding positive results, with 80% reporting beneficial impacts from the use of driver and forward-facing cameras. The findings indicate a correlation between the effectiveness of interventions and deploying diverse solutions, with 73% believing their strategies to combat distracted driving are effective.

"Our customers seek effective solutions that not only enhance driver well-being but also ensure operational efficiency and sustainability, but prioritising safety is paramount," Samaha added. "Our commitment is to empower fleet operators with the tools they need to create safer work environments."