Lytx reveals riskiest driving trends
Video telematics specialist Lytx reports that it has identified the top risky driving trends for fleets in the UK – as evidenced by data from its entire UK-based client database, including public and private fleets in the haulage, distribution and related sectors.
The data, which was collected between 1 July 2018 and 31 September 2019 and anonymised for the study, suggests that the top five observed riskiest behaviours for fleet drivers are:
- Improper following distance
- Late response
- Mobile phone use
- Driving without a seatbelt
- Failure to maintain proper space around the vehicle, so that drivers have ‘‘an out’’, or escape route, should the unexpected occur
The rankings are calculated according to the Lytx proprietary risk score system, which assigns a certain number of risk points to every behaviour it tracks based on how correlative that behaviour is to causing a collision.
Lytx found the above behaviours were directly related to potential collisions, which the company says demonstrates how the elimination of habitual risky driving behaviours 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 behaviour – is approximately 40 per cent 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 per cent more likely to have a collision within 90 days than a driver who responds within a proper time frame.
“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 personalised coaching helps eliminate risky driving habits and is what makes the difference between a good driver safety programme and a great one.”
He continued: “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 year-over-year driving improvements for Lytx clients in the UK were improper following distance, which reduced by 58 per cent; near collisions, which decreased by 30 per cent; and running red lights, which decreased by 26 per cent.
