ABM Q4 - Flipbook - Page 83
OPINION
FLEET
for safer, happier fleets
Behind the data
Empowering drivers to take ownership
of their behaviour is only one part of the
equation; managers must also recognise
the human pressures that shape
performance behind the wheel.
A driver whose psychological wellbeing
is compromised through stress or
tiredness is at a much higher risk of
causing an accident on the road, with
behaviours such as distraction and
fatigue some of the most common
causes of fatal crashes.
Constructive, human-centred
conversations can reveal pressures that
may be affecting performance but are
difficult to discuss, including personal
issues. If every alert is treated as proof
of poor performance, drivers can feel
deflated rather than supported. A far
better approach is to use data as the
starting point of a conversation, whether
the answer is targeted coaching, a
review of shift patterns or another form
of support.
On the journey
Technology has an essential role to play
in driver wellbeing, but for any device
or app to be most effective, fleets must
achieve driver buy-in.
Nobody wants to feel that they are
being watched, so it’s important to
speak to drivers early, explaining what
the technology does, what data will be
captured and how it will be used. That
may involve a driver presentation or
training for management teams, but
drivers should never arrive at work to find
new technology in place without warning.
Taking the time to explain the driver’s
own position of control with regard to
the technology means that drivers will be
more engaged, more aware of their own
driving patterns, and more likely to see
safety technology as something designed
to protect them.
It’s also important to give drivers
the opportunity to ask questions, raise
concerns and provide feedback about
→ Damian Penney
is chief revenue officer at Optix
how systems operate in practice.
Building that dialogue over time also
helps managers get to know their drivers,
establish trust and recognise when
behaviours begin to change.
Involving drivers in discussions around
coaching, alerts and data use will help to
ensure that safety programmes reflect
the lived experience of the people they
are designed to protect.
There is a commercial case, too.
We know that collisions create costs
through downtime, repairs and insurance
premiums, but better safety and
wellbeing can also support recruitment
and driver retention.
World Mental Health Day (10th October)
is a timely reminder that driver safety is
about more than reducing incidents; it
is also about understanding the person
behind the wheel.
When drivers have a greater
understanding of their own behaviour,
a voice in how technology is used, and
confidence that their concerns will be
heard, safety programmes become more
effective. For fleets, that means using
technology not simply to monitor risk, but
to empower drivers – helping create safer
roads, stronger teams and a healthier
working culture.
Q4 2026
AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS
83
