As asked in last week’s blog, what is normal? While dealing with schedule changes, load changes and route changes, drivers are continually asked to do more and remain vigilant in every detail of their complicated job.

That’s why it’s more important than ever to ensure drivers stay focused and not distracted when on the road – or during deliveries. Remember, it only takes a second to cause an injury – or a fatality. Driving is a skill that requires full attention and involves constant and complex coordination between mind and body. That’s why not all distractions are alike, nor do they impact drivers in the same way.

Video is the best way to know if a driver is distracted. It’s also the best way to correct the behaviour before it becomes a collision. When reviewing video and discussing distractions with your drivers, it’s important to keep in mind the three types of distractions:

• Manual distractions are those where you move your hands from the wheel.
• Visual distractions are those where you focus your eyes away from the road.
• A cognitive distraction is when your mind wanders away from the task of driving.

Which type of distraction did your driver exhibit? Does your driver have a habit of moving his/her hands from the wheel or losing focus? Or was this a one-time event? When did it happen? Where? Most importantly, why? All of these are important considerations when coaching your driver.

Distractions don’t have to happen in your fleet.

Learn how you can eliminate distractions in your fleet with a video-based safety program by downloading our eBook Coach Your Drivers to Safety and Success.

The time you spend seeing how video safety will impact your fleet is worth the lives you’ll save.