As the nights draw in and autumnal conditions take hold, the risk of road incidents increases significantly. Data from the AA reveals an 11% rise in collisions in the two weeks following the clock change, with many incidents attributed to factors like reduced visibility and slippery road conditions. For fleet managers, this highlights the critical need to take proactive measures to ensure driver safety and minimise the risk of incidents to improve autumn driving safety.
This increase is likely due to several factors, including:
- Darker evenings: Reduced visibility makes it more difficult to spot hazards and react in good time.
- Wet weather: Rain and fallen leaves create slippery road surfaces, increasing stopping distances and the risk of skidding.
- Low-lying sun and glare: The sun’s low position in the sky during autumn can create dangerous glare, especially on wet roads, impacting driver vision.
What can drivers do to stay safe?
Below are some suggestions which are simple, practical steps which drivers can take in order to minimise the risk of an incident. All of this advice should form part of your regular vehicle checks throughout the year, but they are particularly important in the more hazardous autumnal months.
- Increase following distance: Allow a greater distance between your vehicle and the one in front to account for reduced visibility and slippery roads.
- Carry sunglasses: Keep sunglasses in your car to combat glare from the low-lying sun and wet roads.
- Check tyres and lights: Ensure your tyres have sufficient tread depth and correct pressure for optimal grip and that all your lights are clean and in good working order.
- Top up windscreen fluid: Maintain good visibility by regularly topping up your windscreen fluid.
- Be aware of cyclists and pedestrians: Exercise extra caution, especially around schools, as children may be less visible in low light conditions.
- Control your lights: Don’t rely solely on automatic settings as they may not activate lights in foggy or misty conditions. Be sure to use dipped headlights in urban areas and when approaching oncoming vehicles to avoid dazzling other drivers. Use full beam on unlit roads when it’s safe to do so.
Important advice for fleet managers
It’s important that drivers take responsibility for autumn driving safety and that of your fleet’s vehicles, however there are preventative steps you can take as a fleet manager to minimise the potential for collisions and disruption.
- Review defensive driving techniques: Encourage drivers to refresh their knowledge of defensive driving, particularly focusing on night driving skills and how to safely void hazards. This could involve offering training sessions or sharing educational materials.
- Emphasise the importance of controlled speed and stopping distances: Remind drivers to reduce their speed in the dark and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front.
- Promote regular breaks for drivers: Encourage drivers, particularly those driving overnight, to take regular breaks to combat fatigue. Fatigue is a significant factor in a large percentage of overnight collisions.
- Vehicle maintenance checks: Implement a system to ensure company vehicles undergo regular maintenance checks, including tyre pressure, lights, and windscreen wiper fluid levels.
What are the insurance implications?
Failing to take precautions and adapt driving habits to the changing autumn conditions could potentially have negative insurance implications in the event of an accident.
- Increased premiums: Insurers may increase premiums for drivers involved in accidents deemed preventable.
- Excess charges: A higher excess might be imposed for accidents occurring in conditions where preventative measures could have been taken.
- Claim rejection: In severe cases, if it’s determined a driver significantly disregarded safety advice and directly contributed to an accident, an insurance claim could be rejected.
How can I use Data Analysis and Technology to protect my drivers?
Leveraging data and technology can provide valuable insights into driver behaviour and potential risk areas. This in turn can help you reduce the prevalence of incidents, protecting your drivers and vehicles, as well as keeping your insurance premiums under control
- Utilise telematics and dashcams: Implement telematics systems and dashcams to monitor driver behaviour and identify areas for improvement. Data on speeding, harsh braking, and other risky manoeuvres can inform targeted training and interventions.
- Analyse incident data: Regularly analyse incident data to identify patterns and trends. This can help determine high-risk routes, times of day, or specific driver behaviours that contribute to incidents.
By implementing these strategies, autumn driving safety can be improved and fleet managers can proactively mitigate risks and create a safer driving environment for their drivers. Emphasising driver education, vehicle maintenance, open communication, and data analysis can contribute significantly to reducing incidents and promoting a culture of road safety within the fleet.
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