The road to safety

SAFETY IS a core value of any responsible business, but for those operating vehicle fleets, it must also be a daily operational priority. 

From driver wellbeing to vehicle maintenance, every aspect of a fleet’s operation carries a degree of risk. The question for today’s fleet managers is how best to minimise it.

Increasingly, they are turning to connected fleet management technology to provide the answer. By offering real-time insights, automated alerts and data-driven decision-making, these tools are helping organisations move from reactive safety measures to proactive, predictive strategies.

Research conducted by Webfleet, Bridgestone’s fleet management solution, has highlighted how UK fleet operators are tackling the safety challenge – and where opportunities remain to further raise standards.

A connected response to safety risk

The research, conducted among UK fleet decision-makers, found that safety is a key driver for technology adoption. Nine in ten fleets (91%) plan to invest in next-generation safety tech, including AI and advanced telematics, within the next three years.

Why? Because the benefits are clear. Among fleets that have adopted video telematics, 97% of HGV operators and 91% of van operators reported a reduction in safety incidents.

These technologies are providing critical insights into driver behaviour and enabling real-time intervention, helping prevent accidents before they happen.

Webfleet Video, for example, uses AI-powered dashcams and machine vision to identify risky driving behaviours – such as mobile phone use or drowsiness – and alerts drivers in real time. This supports self-correction and encourages long-term behavioural improvement. 

Footage can also provide crucial evidence in the event of a collision, protecting drivers from false claims and supporting a culture of accountability.

Significantly, these technologies are scalable and adaptable, making them accessible to fleets of all sizes and across all sectors – from logistics and delivery to utilities, field service and local government. What’s more they can also help businesses stay ahead of regulatory changes and demonstrate compliance in increasingly data-driven audits and safety inspections.

As safety expectations rise across the fleet and transport sector, even smaller operators are recognising the need to adopt smarter, more proactive solutions.

The human factor: driver wellbeing and stress

Technology alone cannot create a safe fleet. The wellbeing of the people behind the wheel is just as important as the performance of the vehicles they drive.

Webfleet’s study reveals that stress remains a widespread issue. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of fleet managers report moderate to high stress levels among drivers, with 71% of HGV operators and 54% of van operators affected. 

Encouragingly, 82% of fleets have implemented formal processes to support drivers after incidents.

Smart technologies can help to ease the pressure. Automated scheduling and route optimisation tools reduce time on the road, ease congestion-related frustration and help drivers manage their workload more effectively. 

Meanwhile, systems that monitor driver hours help prevent fatigue and ensure legal compliance.

Features such as in-cab fatigue alerts and real-time feedback can also empower drivers to take steps to improve their safety. 

Webfleet OptiDrive 360, for instance, delivers performance scores and coaching on braking, cornering and adherence to speed limits. This approach not only reduces accident risk but also supports driver engagement by promoting a sense of autonomy and development, rather than surveillance.

Maintenance matters

Fleet safety is not only about people, it is also about the vehicles themselves. A well-maintained fleet is a safer fleet.

Telematics systems allow operators to schedule maintenance using real-time odometer readings, not arbitrary mileage estimates. This ensures that servicing is performed at the optimal time for each individual vehicle. In turn, this reduces the risk of mechanical failure and improves roadworthiness across the fleet.

Moreover, predictive maintenance powered by AI is now honing into sharp focus, with 30% of fleet operators identifying it as a key focus for the coming decade. 

These systems offer the potential to flag potential issues before they cause downtime, analysing patterns in vehicle diagnostics to highlight areas of concern, such as declining brake performance or irregular engine data.

Tyre safety, often overlooked, is another area where technology is having a positive impact. Webfleet TPMS continuously tracks tyre pressure and temperature. Early alerts can prevent blowouts, improve handling and prolong tyre life – all critical to keeping drivers and other road users safe.

From compliance to culture

Safety has traditionally been viewed through a compliance lens – a matter of ticking boxes and meeting regulatory requirements. The most successful fleets, however, are now embedding safety deeper into their operational culture.

The Webfleet research shows that technology is playing a pivotal role in this shift. More than half (52%) of fleets are using telematics insights to inform and update driver training programmes on an annual basis. This feedback loop ensures that training is tailored to real-world risk, not generic standards, and evolves in step with driving behaviours and emerging trends.

AI is enabling this transition from insight to intervention. Almost 70% of fleet operators view real-time AI alerts as one of the most promising applications of the technology. By analysing data from thousands of journeys, AI can help managers detect unsafe patterns – such as repeated harsh braking or route deviations – and respond before incidents occur.

This evolution is also helping fleets demonstrate their commitment to duty of care. 

When safety tools are combined with transparent communication and driver involvement, they can strengthen trust, reduce turnover and enhance public perception.

Results that drive change

The impact of these technologies is not just theoretical. Fleet operators across the UK are seeing real-world results.

Svella Connect, for example, reported a 40% reduction in accidents within six months of deploying Webfleet. 

Integrated cameras have proved invaluable in exonerating drivers from blame during incidents, such as a motorway accident where footage quickly demonstrated that a driver had acted defensively to avoid a collision. This transparency not only builds driver trust but also streamlines insurance claims, saving time and costs.

Other fleets are reporting similar gains. 

Telent, which uses Webfleet to monitor working hours and keep in touch with engineers in the field, is ensuring its people remain safe, connected and supported throughout their working day. If an engineer deviates from their schedule or fails to check in, the system alerts managers, enabling timely intervention and support.

A safer road ahead

The role of fleet management technology in improving occupational safety has never been more vital, or more promising. 

As the transport sector continues to evolve, the opportunity to use smart solutions to prevent incidents, protect people and improve operational resilience is clear.

Technology, however, is only one part of the puzzle. 

The fleets achieving the best safety outcomes are those that combine digital innovation with a human-centric culture. They engage drivers, act on insights and continually refine their practices based on real-world feedback.

As the Health and Safety Executive reminds us, every organisation has a responsibility to manage the risks its work creates. 

For fleets, that responsibility is mobile, dynamic and complex. But with the right tools and a proactive mindset, it is entirely manageable.

By investing in safety today – through smarter systems, supported drivers and better data – UK fleets can build a safer tomorrow for everyone on the road.

Annick Renoux is vice president of Webfleet Europe. For more information, visit www.webfleet.com