Delivery Driving Worries Worry Nationwide & Probably Everyone Else

Nationwide does interesting surveys.

The latest involves delivery drivers. Not surprisingly, 70% say they are afraid of being killed, hurt in a collision and — just as frightening — they fear being held liable for damages if there is a crash.

It’s also easy to predict that many delivery drivers fear distracted drivers, and a lot of those replying to Nationwide’s survey said they encounter far too many of them. And while 89% of drivers say their driving is exemplary, 60% say they can’t say the same for other drivers.

At the same time, Mark McGhiey, a risk management and client services leader at Nationwide said a high percentage of delivery drivers admit to having their own risky, and often dangerous, driving behaviors.

"The sharp rise in dash cam usage and hands-free policies sends a clear message: employers are serious about tackling distractions and protecting their drivers,” McGhiey said. “With at least one in five drivers admitting to frequent distractions behind the wheel, and the industry’s belief that this number may be even higher, it’s clear that policy alone isn't enough — consistent driver engagement and training is crucial to turning these efforts into safer roads for everyone.”

Here’s more from the survey:

• 84% of the drivers questioned said they have a dash cam in their work vehicle
• That’s up 19% from last year
• 65% say their employer requires that dash cam
• 25% say they’re encouraged to have one
• Just 10% don’t feel any pressure to either have, or not have, one
• 44% say their company enforces a hands-free driving policy and monitors their cell phone activity while they’re driving
• 24% say their company has a hands-free policy but does not monitor their call activity
• 22% of employers do not allow cell phone use at all while driving
• 10% don’t have any form of monitoring in place

“Enforcing hands-free policies and mobile phone monitoring, along with leveraging technologies like fleet telematics, can significantly reduce risky and dangerous driving habits,” McGhiey noted. “And when drivers see their employers taking proactive steps to reduce accidents through technology, policies and training, they may feel more protected — and more likely to stay. Partnering with an agent and carrier who understand your operations and vehicle usage, and can offer a customized insurance package along with risk mitigation advice, is essential for success.”

Source link: PropertyCasualty360.com — https://bit.ly/4czPv0k