• Collision drivers have a higher rate of distraction than non-collision drivers across all types of distractions
• Drivers who are distracted most often are 36% more likely to be involved in a near collision than other drivers
• Drivers most distracted by a mobile device are 3x more likely than other drivers to exceed the speed limit by at least 10 mph or more.
• MPG for those distracted while driving is 6.1% lower than all other drivers; for those using mobile devices, MPG is 8.4% lower

Hemel Hempstead – April 18, 2017 – SmartDrive Systems, a leader in driving performance solutions that reduce collisions and improve fuel efficiency, today announced new insights on distracted driving in truck fleets is available on its SmartDrive SmartIQ^® Beat.

This SmartDrive Snapshot, which aggregates and anonymises data from the SmartDrive advanced video-based analytics platform, helps fleets understand operational threats and illuminates the inherent risks associated with distracted driving. The data analysis clearly demonstrates that the most distracted drivers are less safe overall, commit significantly more fundamental driving errors and drive faster than the speed limit compared to all other drivers.

“Distracted driving costs the United Kingdom billions of pounds a year. It continues to be one of the most serious risks facing our industry,” stated Aidan Rowsome, Vice President EMEA of SmartDrive. “While everyone understands distracted driving as a problem, very few have an objective measurement of the risk. To solve the problem, fleets need to understand distraction risks and eliminate them from their fleet. Video safety is that only objective measurement. SmartDrive applauds fleets who take the necessary steps to protect their drivers and other road users.”

Analysis of in-cab video and observation data gathered over 14.5 billion driving miles show that distracted drivers are more likely than all other drivers to have a near collision, to not stop at a junction and to exceed the speed limit. For fleets, this increases the risk of collisions and the costs associated when one occurs. Additionally, the SmartDrive SmartIQ® Snapshot confirms the widely held assumption that mobile devices are the predominant cause of distracted driving.

“It’s evident that mobile device usage and a host of other distractions can seriously impair the driver’s ability to safely operate the vehicle and should not be ignored,” observed Slaven Sljivar, vice of president of analytics, SmartDrive. “Most importantly, our robust data set provides quantifiable evidence of the dangers and costs associated with distracted driving when left unchecked.”

“Seatbelt compliance is one key indicator of a driver’s propensity towards risk,” Sljivar continued. “Distracted drivers don’t wear their seatbelt at a rate that is significantly higher than other drivers – which signals to a fleet the potential for future issues with that driver. Distraction impacts more than safety costs. In fact, distracted drivers consistently waste the most fuel—which is a direct hit to a fleet’s bottom line.”

The SmartDrive Distracted Driving Snapshot for truck fleets illuminates key observations that distinguish distracted drivers – and those using mobile devices during the 12-month analysis period.  With validation through video analysis, these findings prove that distraction has a correlation to near collisions, collisions and increased fuel usage, and the most distracted drivers are significantly more dangerous than other drivers. Significant conclusions include:

• Collision drivers have higher distraction rates than non-collision drivers in all categories of distractions.
• The most distracted drivers are 36 percent more likely to be involved in a near collision than all other drivers. This number jumps dramatically, to 88 percent for drivers most distracted by a mobile device.
• Whether involving a traffic light or stop sign, junctions are a particular problem for distracted drivers. For example, the most distracted drivers are 84 percent more likely to pass a stop sign/red light. Drivers most distracted by a mobile device are 2.5x more likely to pass a stop sign/red light.
• Distracted drivers have a higher propensity to speed. Overall, the most distracted drivers are 87 percent more likely to drive 10 mph or more over the speed limit, but if they’re distracted by a mobile device, they are 3x more likely than other drivers to exceed the speed limit by at least 10 mph or more.
• The most distracted drivers drift out of their lane almost 2x more than all other drivers. This number jumps to 2.3x more than all other drivers for those most distracted by a mobile device.
• By analysing in-cab video, we know that a driver who is often distracted is more likely to not wear his/her seatbelt. In fact, the most distracted drivers are 4.1x more likely to not wear a seatbelt.
• Distracted driving is not only about safety. It also adds to operational waste within a fleet. The most distracted drivers incur 6% less MPG while on the road; this number increases to more than 8% when distracted by a mobile device.

The full Distracted Driving Snapshot is available online. As a follow-on to the findings, the SmartDrive SmartIQ® Snapshot includes the Top 9 Tips to Eliminate Distracted Driving. “It’s fine to identify your distracted drivers or understand how distracted driving is affecting your fleet’s performance,” commented Rowsome. “Now you need to do something about it.”

Sljiva will discuss the Snapshot’s findings during a webinar on Thursday, May 4 at 17:00hours. For more information and to register, please click here.

SmartDrive SmartIQ® Beat focuses on a range of transportation industry insights and trends from safety and operations to technology and regulatory compliance, from a unique analytics-oriented viewpoint. SmartDrive SmartIQ® Beat Snapshots provide in-depth analysis and metrics of top fleet performance trends based on the SmartDrive database of more than 180 million analysed and scored driving

About SmartDrive Systems

SmartDrive Systems, the recipient of Frost & Sullivan’s Customer Value Leadership Award for Video Safety Solutions, gives fleets and drivers unprecedented driving performance insight and analysis, helping save fuel, expenses and lives. Its video analysis, predictive analytics and personalised performance programme help fleets improve driving skills, lower operating costs and deliver significant ROI. With an easy-to-use managed service, fleets and drivers can access and self-manage driving performance anytime, anywhere. The company, which is ranked as one of the fastest growing companies by Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500™, has compiled the world’s largest storehouse of more than 180 million analysed risky-driving events. SmartDrive Systems is based in San Diego, and employs over 500 people worldwide.

For more information on SmartDrive Systems, please visit www.smartdrive.net.

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Media Contact:

Penny Randall for SmartDrive Systems Ltd
penny.randall@smartdrive.net
+44 07904 204412