Drivers need onboarding for fleet safety tech, study says

Teletrac Navman has published research on driver onboarding and safety technology in fleet operations. The study found that drivers who felt well prepared were nearly four times more likely to rate coaching technology as highly effective.

The findings point to uneven communication around the rollout of monitoring tools. One in five drivers said technology had been installed with little or no communication from management, while 45% said surveillance concerns were their biggest issue.

Transport operators are under pressure to improve safety, contain costs and retain experienced drivers. The research suggests those goals depend not only on the technology they choose, but also on how managers explain it, introduce it and use the resulting data.

Drivers who reported strong preparation were far more likely to view coaching systems positively: 74% rated them highly effective, compared with 19% among those who said preparation was lacking. The study suggests acceptance rises when operators explain how systems work and how the information will be used.

"Technology alone doesn't drive safety outcomes, preparation does," said Alain Samaha, Chief Executive Officer of Teletrac Navman.

He said monitoring technology works best when it balances fleet goals with driver needs, and that strong onboarding is the starting point. Organisations that prioritise the people element, he added, see the real payoff: safer drivers, fewer claims and a workforce that stays longer.

Privacy concerns

Questions over data use emerged as a central theme. Almost a third of drivers said clear evidence that technology is being used to protect them, rather than simply monitor them, would encourage them to stay with their current employer.

The report found mistrust can continue after deployment if rules remain unclear. While many drivers support measures intended to improve safety, uncertainty over who can access the data and the potential for uneven enforcement can undermine that support.

Access to personal data appears to be one route to greater confidence. Nearly half of drivers said the ability to easily view their own data would build trust, and 43% said fair and consistent use of data across all drivers was important.

Driver apps were the preferred access method for 60% of respondents. The findings suggest that visibility into what is being recorded, together with clearer internal rules, can help managers have more constructive conversations with drivers.

"If an operator finds itself in a difficult position with its drivers, providing visibility of personal data is essential to rebuilding trust," Samaha said.

He added that drivers are not anti-technology, but will remain sceptical without transparency around data processing, data management and how the technology will affect them.

Coaching and recognition

The study also examined how drivers receive feedback. Although 99% said they receive some form of feedback, only 51% said they get positive recognition, while 32% said they face disciplinary action.

In the survey, recognition mattered more to retention than cash alone. Some 37% cited recognition as a reason to stay with an employer, while proactive feedback such as scorecards and performance breakdowns improved driving quality and workplace pride for 52% of drivers, compared with 21% for financial bonuses.

Real-time coaching in the cab was linked to fewer near misses. Among drivers who receive real-time in-cab coaching, 56% said they rarely experience a near miss, compared with 47% of those without real-time alerts.

That points to a practical distinction between reviewing incidents after the event and intervening while risky behaviour is unfolding. For fleet operators, the difference has implications for claims costs and safety performance.

After an incident

The research also highlights the effect of collisions and other negative events on drivers. More than a third said such incidents increased stress or anxiety, while 17% reported a loss of confidence.

Other concerns centred on penalties and job security. A quarter of respondents feared a negative event could lead to the loss of their licence, 20% were concerned about formal disciplinary action and 17% worried about financial penalties.

Those concerns may have lasting effects if drivers return to work feeling uncertain in the cab. The report suggests that the design of safety systems, and the level of trust placed in them, can influence both driver wellbeing and operational results.

"Drivers returning to the cab with eroded confidence, or second-guessing decisions because they feel more anxious, may face a higher risk of future incidents," Samaha said.

He said choosing the right safety system with real-time capabilities and building trust in it is therefore imperative for driver wellbeing as well as operational performance.