Staffing shortages, reduced safety training fuel risks for company drivers

New Nationwide research shows company drivers are facing increased distractions and safety risks on the road, exacerbated by staffing shortages that are leading to longer hours behind the wheel and a reduced focus on safety.

By the numbers:  One-third of company drivers (34%) “often or sometimes” feel distracted while driving for work purposes – mostly caused by known safety hazards like operating GPS/navigation systems (55%), interacting with radio or music systems (41%), or responding to work related texts (36%).

More than a quarter (27%) also daydream behind the wheel and 13% are checking social media apps.

What you should know: Staffing shortages may be contributing to risky driving behaviors as drivers work longer hours and face challenging deadlines.

• 4 in 10 drivers say their employer is struggling with staffing shortages, leading to increased workloads (61%), longer hours (58%) and more difficulty meeting deadlines (47%).
• Drivers are facing distractions due to work demands:
  • 55% take work phone calls while driving
  • 30% read/respond to work texts while driving
  • Nearly 1 in 5 read work emails (18%) or respond to work emails (16%)

Why it matters: Driver shortages are also fueling concerns about overall workplace standards and practices that could impact the safety of company drivers and the general public on the roads with them.

• 42% of drivers say their employer has reduced hiring criteria
• 39% say employee training has suffered
• 34% say there’s less of a focus on safety

What drivers are saying: 6 in 10 company drivers are worried about their own personal safety and liability behind the wheel – not surprising considering more than half have been involved in or witnessed an accident in the past year.

As a result, 72% want their management to increase the training being provided to drivers to help prevent accidents and improve safety.

Drivers are also overwhelmingly supportive of technology like dash cams and telematics, which they feel can improve their safety on the roads and increase transparency and accountability. Despite this, only 38% of drivers say their employer requires a dash cam or monitors their driving with telematics.

What we’re saying: For businesses with fleet vehicles, a comprehensive safety program is a key piece of the protection puzzle and should include everything from robust hiring and training criteria for drivers, to written policies/procedures that address all sources of distractions, to implementation of technology like dash cams, cell blockers or telematics that can help increase safe behaviors.

“Business owners may have opportunities to elevate the training and safety resources they’re offering for drivers, further demonstrating their commitment to their workers and, in turn, potentially helping with hiring and retaining good drivers in the future,” said Kristina Talkowski, Nationwide’s leader of Middle Market Commercial Lines. “Safe, high quality drivers also welcome technology like dash cams that can help improve safe driving behaviors and stave off legal system abuse that’s negatively impacting insurance customers through higher insurance costs, longer claims resolution times and limited access to coverage.”

Go deeper: View the full survey results  or leverage your carrier’s loss prevention services for business fleets such as educational resources, safety training, and other in-person or virtual services.

“A little bit of proactive effort can save a lot of money for business owners in the long run across Business Auto and Workers Comp costs,” added Talkowski.

Methodology:
Edelman Data and Intelligence (DXI) conducted a national online survey of 400 commercial drivers* and 1,000 general consumers from March 4 – 15, 2024. As a member in good standing with The Insights Association and ESOMAR, Edelman DXI conducts all research in accordance with local, national and international laws and in line with all Market Research Standards and Guidelines.

*Note: Commercial Driver audience does not include long-haul/heavy trucking, tow trucks, app-based delivery drivers (e.g. DoorDash), or large corporate delivery drivers (FedEx, Amazon, UPS, etc.).