A recent survey conducted by Teletrac Navman has found mobile phone use is the primary cause of distracted drivers in the heavy vehicle sector, and the issue impacts 70 per cent of fleets.
Between June 2023 and June 2024 there were 176 fatalities resulting from crashes involving heavy vehicles across Australia according to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication and the Arts.
Of those surveyed almost 49 per cent of respondents said distracted driving has had a direct financial cost on their business, 40 per cent said it caused operational disruptions, 28 per cent said it led to safety and compliance breaches, and 25 per cent said it caused reputational damage.
Teletrac Navman CEO Alain Samaha says the results of the survey showcase the need for industry-led responses to the rising issue.
“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 significant change,” Samaha says.
“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.”
To combat the rising impacts of distracted driving, 78 per cent of respondents reported utilising advanced telematics solutions, with 73 per cent stating they believed these solutions were effective.
The full report is available here.
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