Applying online fleet driver assessment to help identify, target and reduce occupational road safety risks

Many studies have shown that driver attitude and behaviour are important determinants of the likelihood of collision involvement. Knowledge of the Rules of the Road and the perception of hazards are also associated with collision involvement. The aim of this paper is to review the practical application of an online fleet driver assessment program to help identify, target and reduce occupational road safety risks. A large and unique data set collected from online assessment of drivers employed in a UK telecommunications organisation is analyzed. Data was also collected on driver demographics and their driving and collision history. Analysis of the data revealed that attitude, behaviour, knowledge and hazard perception are highly correlated with self-reported collisions. The influence of these variables on collision involvement was assessed using a Poisson regression model. Both attitude and behaviour scores exhibit a statistically significant association with collision involvement, along with other variables such as mileage driven, driver age and personality. The findings lend support to the need to create a safety culture in which driver assessment and improvement is the norm, as well as reducing exposure to risk wherever possible through better ways of working and travelling. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.