In today’s high-pressure transport and logistics industry, burnout and stress among HGV and LCV drivers is reaching critical levels. With a combination of worsened mental health due to the cost-of-living crisis and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as an increase in dangerous driving, drivers are feeling the strain more than ever.
The consequences of this stress not only affect the wellbeing of individual drivers, but also the operational efficiency, safety, and reputation of entire fleets.
The Problem: Driver Burnout in HGV and Van Fleets
A recent survey paints a worrying picture of the mental and emotional toll facing professional drivers in the UK:
- 46% of drivers have considered quitting their job in the past year.
- 97% believe the risk of driving accidents have increased in the last 5 years.
- Perceived contributors to this road danger include poor driving (44%), speeding (38%), and mobile phone use (36%).
- 38% say they receive little to no support for stress or mental health at work.
- 53% feel uncomfortable discussing mental health with their employer.
These numbers highlight a serious disconnect between driver wellbeing and the support systems currently in place. Burnout isn’t just about long hours. It’s also about drivers feeling unheard within the workplace and unsafe on the roads that they navigate daily.
The Impact: The Hidden Costs of Burnout on Fleets
When drivers suffer, businesses suffer too. The consequences of burnout are far-reaching:
- With nearly half of drivers considering leaving, recruitment and training costs can soar.
- Tired drivers are more prone to errors which can lead to collisions, insurance claims, and legal liabilities.
- Burnout leads to reduced concentration and lower overall productivity.
- Frequent incidents or driver complaints can hurt both your company’s culture and your relationships with clients.
Failing to address the causes of driver burnout isn’t just a people problem; it’s a business risk.
The Solution: Smarter Support Through Driver Behaviour Software
Technology alone can’t solve burnout. But when used strategically, it can be a powerful tool for both prevention and support. Encouragingly, 67% of UK drivers say they would welcome new technology that helps improve overall driving performance.
Our Datalive Driver Behaviour Software is built to do exactly that:
- Gain real-time insights into speeding, harsh braking and harsh cornering with “Review It”.
- Pair with Driver Safety Monitoring (DSM) Cameras to detect driver distraction, fatigue, smoking, mobile phone usage, and more.
- Built to identify critical events, our “Filter It” software module reduces manual checks by eliminating false positives*.
- Backed by data, managers can empathetically approach drivers who are struggling and offer appropriate support.
- Managers can also identify high-risk driving behaviours to enforce safety policies and offer additional training to at-risk drivers.
*False positive events are triggered when the vehicle experiences an impact that is not an accident, such as harsh driving, potholes, or speed bumps. “Filter It” identifies and removes around 140 false positives per vehicle, per week. Increasing efficiency without compromising on safety.
The benefits are clear. Companies who leverage Datalive Software to improve their driver safety have reported seeing up to a:
- 50% drop in vehicle damage.
- 40% cut in insurance claims costs.
- 80% decrease in risky driver behaviour.
- 40% cut in at-fault collisions.
To find out more about our Datalive Software “Review It” and “Filter It” modules, call our knowledgeable sales team on 0161 864 6440 or visit our Datalive webpage here.
For more information on the Road Safety Survey, you can read the Fleet World article here.
