Fleets are prioritising driver mental wellbeing as part of their safety strategies, with 82% reporting formal processes to support drivers after incidents.

Eight in 10 fleets report formal processes to support driver wellbeing after incidents

The findings, from a UK study by Webfleet, part of Bridgestone, and video telematics partner Lytx, spotlight a growing focus on the human aspect of fleet safety.

Safety technologies are also driving wider employee benefits, with 88% of fleets reporting improvements in driver recruitment and retention as a result of adopting tools to help protect their mobile workforce.

Beverley Wise, Webfleet UKI regional director for Bridgestone Mobility Solutions, said driver mental wellbeing is now a critical component of effective safety strategies.

“Addressing the emotional toll of incidents is just as important as leveraging technology to improve safety. By investing in both driver support and innovative safety solutions, fleets can create safer roads and build a more resilient workforce.”

Webfleet’s study found that driver stress remains a significant concern, with 63% of fleets reporting high or moderate stress levels among drivers. This is more pronounced among HGV operators, with 71% affected, compared to 54% of van operators.

Video telematics solutions that incorporate AI are helping fleets confront critical safety challenges. These systems are widely used for accident recording and evidence gathering, cited by 85% of HGV fleets and 80% of van fleets.

“Intelligent video that can identify risky behaviour and alert drivers in real-time is playing a vital role in helping to protect those behind the wheel,” said Klaus Burgstaller, sales director at Lytx.

“Empowering drivers with these tools means they can minimise the chance of an incident and also feel secure that evidence exists in cases where they were not at fault. Fleets that embrace these technologies demonstrate a commitment to driver wellbeing and a desire to ensure that every journey ends with a safe return.”

Almost a third (31%) of fleet operators said that distracted driving was a leading cause of accidents, highlighting the need for monitoring and feedback systems to address behavioural risks and help prevent incidents from happening.

Safety technologies are also supporting fleet training efforts, with more than half (52%) of fleets updating driver training programmes annually based on safety data insights.

Looking ahead, 30% of operators see AI-driven predictive maintenance as key to enhancing safety and reducing mechanical failures over the next decade.