SUVs, Sedans, Trucks, and Vans: Driver Safety to Reduce Fleet Accidents

Driver Safety

Follow us on LinkedIn

Our Page

The trick to smart fleet management is picking the right mix of vehicles. Nailing the right mix plays a massive role in keeping drivers safe and reducing the risk of accidents. Whether your fleet consists of SUVs, sedans, pickup trucks, or vans, understanding how different types of vehicles perform in crashes and implementing a robust driver safety program are really important steps toward protecting both your drivers and your bottom line.

Vehicle safety because not all vehicles are created equal

When it comes to safety, the type of vehicle matters. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), heavier vehicles like SUVs and pickup trucks tend to fare better in collisions than smaller, lighter sedans. This surprising stat is attributed largely to the basic physics of mass and momentum. For example, heavier vehicles, by nature, provide more protection in a crash – obviously. However, larger vehicles also have a higher chance of rollover accidents, which is why automakers like Ford, Toyota, and Honda focus on trying to improve stability in their most recent models.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) performs crash tests on new vehicles every year, and their results show that newer SUVs and light-duty trucks are more more safe than they were even just a few short years ago. But it’s not just about surviving a crash, it’s about preventing one in the first place, right? That’s where fleet safety programs and ongoing driver training come in.

Fleet safety isn’t just about the cars

Sure, larger vehicles tend to offer more protection in an accident, but they also come with a lot more risks, especially when it comes to driver behavior. Fleet vehicles – whether that’s sedans, SUVs, or light trucks – are involved in serious roadways accidents every day in America. Studies have said that this is due to the number of miles driven by mobile employees but also because of how vehicles are handled. For example, speeding, tailgating, and reckless driving are big factors contributing to rear-end collisions and other types of vehicle accidents. That’s why launching driver safety training at your work should be a non-negotiable, especially if you’ve got a fleet management program.

With Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) monitoring, you can track driver behavior and to quickly spot risky habits and trends. For example, continuous monitoring can alert you to traffic violations or incidents in real-time, allowing you to address dangerous behaviors before they result in an awful and expensive accident. This helps reduce fleet risk significantly and – as an added bonus – can even lower your insurance premiums.

Why MVR monitoring is a changing up the game

Think of MVR monitoring as your fleet’s safety net. It keeps you in the loop about driver behavior – whether it’s violations, license suspensions, or even DUIs. With this level of insight, you’re not waiting for an annual or bi-annual report to come in to catch risky driving behaviors. Continuous monitoring, paired with targeted driver safety training, gives you a tried and true way to keep your fleet safer every day.

Driver safety training can be customized based on the specific behaviors that present the most risk for your fleet. For instance, if certain drivers in your fleet show a pattern of speeding or failing to wear seat belts, you can enroll them in safety programs to address those specific issues. Training programs are designed to be completed quickly and efficiently, which then reduces the time drivers spend off the road while making sure safety remains top of mind.

The cost of vehicle accidents

There’s no way to sugarcoat it: vehicle crashes are expensive. Beyond the obvious and immediate damage to the fleet vehicles themselves, there are hidden costs like increased insurance premiums, potential legal liabilities, and even the loss of business due to reputational damages and delayed operations. When crashes result in serious injuries or fatalities, those costs skyrocket. According to the NHTSA, traffic fatalities have been rising in recent years, and a large portion of those involve fleet vehicles.

You need to remember that vehicle accidents aren’t just caused by driver error. The type of vehicle can play a big role, too. For example, pickup trucks and SUVs are generally more prone to rollovers because of their higher centers of gravity, especially when driving at higher speeds or on sharp turns. So implementing a safety program that teaches drivers how to better handle these larger vehicles can dramatically reduce the risk of rollovers and other serious accidents.

Automakers are constantly improving safety, but is that enough?

Ford, Toyota, and Honda, among other automakers, are really trying to innovate to make their vehicles safer. New tech like automatic braking, smarter cruise control, and lane-keeping assist are becoming standards in new vehicles across the US. But even the safest vehicle on the market can’t compensate for bad driving habits. That’s why combining your company’s fleet management with a comprehensive safety program, including both MVR monitoring and ongoing driver training, is the smart thing to do — and good business, too!

Conclusion

Unfortunately, there’s no quick fix for fleet safety. The best way to minimize accidents is to approach the issue from two angles: vehicle selection and driver behavior. Larger, heavier vehicles might be safer in collisions, but they also require careful handling. That’s where MVR monitoring and driver safety training come into play, like the ones offered by Cardata. These tools help identify at-risk drivers and take proactive steps to correct dangerous habits before they result in costly accidents – or worse.

By investing in safer vehicles and a proven driver safety program, you’re not just reducing the risk of accidents, but you’re also protecting your employees, your assets, and your company’s bottom line. If you’re managing a fleet of sedans, SUVs, or trucks, there’s no time like now to implement these important safety measures.