Fleet drivers in the United Kingdom need to give other vehicles a little breathing room.
That’s one finding from a Lytx analysis of telematics data, which reveals the riskiest driving trends for fleets in the U.K.
Lytx’s database contains more than 120 billion miles of driving data from more than 1 million commercial drivers worldwide, capturing more than 64 million risky driving events globally each year, according to the company.
According to Lytx data, the top five observed riskiest behaviors for fleet drivers are:
- Improper following distance
- Late response
- Cellphone use
- Driving without a seatbelt
- Failure to keep an out (defined as failure to maintain proper space around the vehicle so that drivers have ‘‘an out’’ or escape route should the unexpected occur)
Lytx found these behaviors are directly related to potential collisions, proving that the elimination of habitual risky driving behaviors can have an immediate and lasting effect on the frequency and severity of collisions and near-collisions a fleet experiences.
For example, a driver who follows the vehicle in front of them too closely – this being the most prevalent risky driving behavior – is approximately 40% more likely to have a collision in the next 90 days than a driver who ensures proper following distance.
Similarly, a driver who demonstrates late response to a potential hazard is 80% more likely to have a collision within 90 days than a driver who responds within a proper time frame.
Lytx’s research also unveiled some of the U.K.’s riskiest roads, where incidents caused by dangerous driving are most likely to occur. These include:
- Dartford Crossing on the M25
- Junction of the A45 and A46 near Coventry
“The best way to eliminate risk in your fleet is to combine proven video telematics with driver coaching, as shown by the impressive improvements our clients across the UK continue to experience,” said Damian Penney, vice president and general manager for Lytx Europe. “Video insights paired with personalized coaching helps eliminate risky driving habits and is what makes the difference between a good driver safety program and a great one.
“We want to empower our clients with more than just data, but actionable and coachable video events that can improve driver safety, reduce claims costs, and help make sure every driver returns home safely. We are proud of the strong safety results our clients achieve, knowing we’re helping prevent injuries and save lives.”
The top three driving improvements year-over-year for Lytx clients in the United Kingdom were:
- 58% reduction in improper following distance
- 30% decrease of near-collisions
- 26% decrease in running red lights
Insights are derived from the entire Lytx U.K.-based client database, including public and private fleets in the haulage, distribution, transit, construction and services industries, between July 1, 2018, to Sept. 31, 2019.
