Twenty-five per cent of commercial drivers in the UK are flouting rules around rest and fatigue, according to a survey of fleet managers from Verizon Connect.
In terms of key concerns, 24 per cent of fleet managers cited compliance, 23 per cent said unsafe driving practices and 13 per cent of said drivers not taking rest.
Although two thirds of fleet managers have systems in place to help ensure their drivers take required breaks, 16 per cent leave it at the driver’s discretion to take appropriate rest. Meanwhile, 15 per cent ask their drivers about breaks and three per cent simply do not know of their drivers are following the rules.
Fleet managers also said they spend more than three hours a week correcting and following up on drivers’ tachograph mistakes – which adds up to nearly 21 working days, or more than a month, each year.
When asked how they would prefer to spend this time instead, looking for ways to reduce costs was the most popular response with 39 per cent.
Derek Bryan, vice president, EMEA at Verizon Connect, said: ““Simple systems can be put in place to cut down time spent on admin while ensuring compliance and driver safety. By integrating tachograph data with their fleet management system, organisations of any size can improve driver safety, compliance, and productivity. In doing so, managers reclaim time to focus on growing and improving the business.”
