Technology is both a boon and a bane.

When we talk about automobiles, drivers are the most vulnerable to the potential risks that come with specific technology innovations, including the use of gadgets and smartphones, tuning a radio, or GPS, etc.

Some dangerous driving habits such as talking on the phone or texting have caused severe and fatal mishaps on the road.

Millions of people die due to road accidents, and half of these mishaps occur due to drivers getting distracted.

Even using a hands-free device is equally hazardous. This technology may not distract hands, but it can restrict the brain’s concentration while driving.

Despite establishing strict road safety rules and heavy fines, drivers continue using hand-held technologies.

What is distracted driving?

Distracted driving is the act of driving while engaged in any activity that decreases the driver’s focus.

The driver is unable to respond to changes in vehicle or traffic behavior due to distraction.

Visual: Taking the eyes off the road.
If the driver takes their eyes off the road for just 5 seconds at 60 MPH, it’s equal to the driving length of a hockey field.

Manual: Taking one or both hands off the steering wheel.
Drivers who are engaged in manually intrusive behavior such as texting are between 2 – 8 times more likely to get in an accident than focused drivers.

Cognitive: When the thoughts are not focused on driving.
Critical phone conversations reduce a driver’s capability to detect, differentiate among, and respond to visible targets by as much as 30%.

Telematics for distracted driving

While technology is somewhat responsible for the distracted driving issue, it can also be a solution.

Vehicle telematics can help monitor and change distractive driving habits. It can save lives by avoiding fatal road accidents.

Several telematics solutions are equipped with distracted driving features for all customers.

It detects how a driver uses a phone during a trip, examines various unpredictable behaviors with different danger levels, and transmits the final score and details to the insurance partner and the policyholder.

These solutions also help drivers understand threats better and work so that they stay off the phones while on the road.

The solution can collect data from drivers’ smartphones along with other telematics data.

Telematics solution also assists in both distraction and driving risk, allowing both drivers and insurers to understand and avoid risks.

How can telematics help?

Monitor: Telematics allows drivers to observe both driving patterns and smartphone-related distractions.

Inform: Personal driving data will help you inform policyholders of the severity and frequency of driver distraction and help them focus on safe driving.

Incentivize: Rewards and premium discounts will help you encourage safe driving behavior and monitor enhancements over time.

In addition, telematics provides feedback to drivers on their overall driving behavior to drive safer (less tailgating, less hard braking).

Besides, telematics can help with route optimization and safer vehicle maintenance. In short, vehicle telematics plays a pivotal role in prevented distracted driving crashes.

Research indicates that telematics devices work efficiently. 56% of the drivers who joined a public opinion survey by the Insurance Research Council (IRC) ensured that they have made changes in how their driving patterns since installing telematics.

18% of those claimed that they have made other significant changes. “These findings suggest that installing telematics devices in vehicles can play a vital role in promoting safe driving and reducing the frequency of auto accidents and their related costs,” said Elizabeth Sprinkel of the IRC.

Build a relationship of trust between fleet managers and drivers

Besides mitigating distraction trouble, you need to continue building trust with your drivers as a fleet manager.

Some drivers have concerns with video telematics solutions because it will monitor their every move in the vehicle, and anyone will point out a mishap at them.

So, you must educate them on all the crucial aspects of the solution and build a trustworthy relationship.

Inattentive driving is a growing concern all over the world, as the use of smart devices and connected vehicle features continue to grab drivers’ attention off the road.

Drivers can help cut down the resulting mishaps and injuries by taking proactive measures to avoid distraction.

They can use technology in association with their insurers to recognize the behaviors and risks resulting in distraction.

Go ahead and make technology a boon for the fleet industry.