Professional drivers in the UK are driving fewer miles prior to a collision, suggesting the need for an increased focus on safety among British fleets.
Geotab, a global market leader in connected transportation solutions, found that the total distance per collision driven by truck, van and taxi operators in the UK decreased by almost one-fifth (19.12%) in 2023, from 920,000 miles to 740,000 miles. For a large British company running a fleet of 1,000 heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) each driving 75,000 miles per year, the 2023 data could represent an additional 20 collisions annually.
“Keeping drivers and other road users safe should be a top priority for all fleet decision-makers,” said David Savage, Vice President for the UK and Ireland at Geotab. “Just over 20% of all road casualties occur in driving-for-work collisions*. As an industry, we have a duty to reduce these numbers – which we can with better safety measures.”
In its ‘2024 State of Commercial Transportation’ report, Geotab analysed telematics data from one million commercial vehicles globally. It found the overall trend to be an increase in the number of collisions, with Germany the worst-performing market posting a near one-third (27.3%) reduction in miles before an accident. Only a few markets bucked this trend, with Spain (+5.66%), Italy (+5.25%) and Brazil (+4%) seeing the most significant rise in miles driven before a collision, suggesting fleet operators in these countries had taken measures to improve vehicle safety.
Improving our approach to safety
Geotab is working with UK companies to enhance the ability to analyse their safety programmes with predictive analytics and benchmarking. Through the Geotab ‘Safety Center’ fleet operators can gain insights into the risk of collisions with predictive collision analytics. The ‘2024 State of Commercial Transportation’ study found that fleets using Geotab’s safety features have shown a 40% reduction in collision rates.
The report also delves into key trends, challenges, and potential within the industry, highlighting the pivotal role of advanced telematics in optimising fleet operations. By leveraging data intelligence and cutting-edge AI models, fleets can enhance safety measures, improve productivity, and reduce costs, amidst rising fuel prices, regulatory shifts, and economic uncertainties.