Stress & Distractions
Stress
78% of drivers say they often feel stressed, angry or excited when behind the wheel, but 97% agree it is important to stay calm.
Potential sources of stress are:
- Demands of the job and organisational culture.
- Lack of control or involvement.
- Work-life balance.
- Domestic issues.
- Tiredness or hours spent driving.
- External factors, such as congestion or driving of others.
To identify and tackle driver stress:
- Make achievable demands on employees; allow for unexpected hold-ups in scheduling and journey planning.
- Put systems in place to respond to any concerns expressed by employees, e.g. have regular confidential meetings between staff and their line managers to identify any work or home problems that might affect their driving.
- Put systems in place to encourage managers to support their staff.
- Inform employees about available support, e.g. counselling and how to access it.
- Encourage positive behaviour to avoid conflict and ensure fairness.
- Consult employees on any change and communicate change clearly.
Distraction
- 83% of drivers think about something other than their driving when behind the wheel (such as home life or work)
- 45% of drivers have lost concentration while performing tasks such as adjusting the stereo, heating or satellite navigation system
- 20% admit being so distracted by in-car gadgets that they have veered out of their lane.
Distraction that affects driving might result from:
- Mobile phone use
- In-vehicle technology
- Reading maps/directions whilst driving
- Eating and drinking whilst driving
- Chatting with passengers
- Other drivers and road rage
- Thoughts of work or personal life