Distracted Driving in Fleets: Causes, Risks and How to Reduce Them

A quick glance at a notification. A sip of coffee at the lights. A call from the office about the next job. None of these feel dangerous in the moment. But each one pulls a driver’s attention away from the road.

For fleet managers, distraction is one of the most common risks drivers face, and one of the most preventable. This guide covers what counts as distracted driving, what UK law says, and the practical steps that make a real difference.

What Is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving is anything that takes a driver’s eyes, hands or mind away from the road. It isn’t limited to phones.

The Highway Code makes this clear. Rule 148 says safe driving needs concentration and lists distractions to avoid, including loud music, reading maps, adjusting the radio, arguing with passengers, eating, drinking and smoking.

For fleet drivers, the list often grows. Calls from the office, customer messages and delivery apps all add to the pressure.

Distracted Driving Statistics in the UK

Phone use behind the wheel is rising, not falling. New RAC research published in 2026 found:

• The share of drivers admitting to illegal handheld phone use other than voice calls has risen every year since the pandemic, reaching 15%.  

• One in five drivers (20%) admitted checking messages or notifications while driving, the highest level since 2016.  

• Almost one in ten drivers (9%) said they had watched or recorded a video, or livestreamed, at the wheel in the past year.  

The consequences show up in official figures. Government road casualty data shows a driver using a mobile device was a factor in 340 collisions in 2024, and 20 of these were fatal. Convictions for handheld phone use in England and Wales reached 40,723 in 2024, the highest level since 2016.

Tiredness is a problem too. National Highways estimates that roughly 1 in 15 crashes involve fatigue.  

UK Mobile Phone Driving Laws Explained

The rules are stricter than many drivers realise. It is illegal to hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet or any device that can send or receive data while driving.

The law still applies when a driver is:

• Stopped at traffic lights or queuing in traffic  

• In a car that switches its engine off when stationary  

• Holding a device that is offline or in flight mode  

The penalties are significant. Drivers can get 6 penalty points and a £200 fine, and those who passed their test in the last 2 years will lose their licence. If the case goes to court, drivers can be banned and face a maximum fine of £1,000, or £2,500 for lorry or bus drivers.  

Is Using a Hands Free Phone While Driving Safe?

Hands free is legal, but it isn’t a free pass. Drivers must stay in full control of the vehicle, and police can stop and prosecute anyone they believe is distracted. Drivers can get 3 penalty points if they don’t have a full view of the road ahead or proper control of the vehicle.  

What Are Employers’ Responsibilities for Drivers at Work?

Fleet managers carry responsibility too. Under HSE guidance, employers should look at total hours worked, not just time behind the wheel, when planning driving schedules. Journey planning should use realistic schedules, avoid putting drivers at risk of fatigue and take account of bad weather.

Most Common Distractions for Fleet Drivers

Every fleet is different, but these are the distractions that come up again and again:

Mobile phones and apps
Texts, social media and navigation apps are the obvious culprits. Even a quick glance at a notification means travelling some distance without watching the road.

Calls from the office or customers
Drivers often feel pressure to answer straight away. If the business expects instant replies, drivers may feel they have no choice.

In cab technology
Adjusting sat navs, touchscreens and radios all take eyes and hands away from driving. Setting these up before the journey starts helps.

Eating, drinking and smoking
Busy schedules mean lunch often happens in the cab. All three are listed as distractions in Rule 148 of the Highway Code.

Fatigue
Early starts, long shifts and tight delivery windows wear drivers down. A tired driver is slower to react and more likely to lose focus.

Poor weather
Rain, fog and ice demand extra concentration. Any other distraction becomes more dangerous when conditions are already difficult.

How to Prevent Distracted Driving in Your Fleet

Rules on their own rarely change behaviour. The fleets that see results combine clear policy with the right tools and regular conversations.

Create a Mobile Phone Policy for Drivers

Spell out what drivers can and can’t do. Cover handheld use, hands free calls and when drivers should pull over. Make sure office staff follow it too, so drivers aren’t pressured to pick up.

Schedule Regular Breaks to Reduce Driver Fatigue

National Highways recommends a break of at least 15 minutes every two hours to help ward off fatigue. Build these into job schedules so drivers don’t feel they’re falling behind by stopping.  

Carry Out Daily Vehicle Checks

A dashboard full of warning lights is a distraction in itself. Digital daily vehicle checks help drivers spot and report defects before they set off.

Encourage Drivers to Report Near Misses

Drivers know where the risks are. Create a culture where they can raise concerns, report near misses and suggest changes without worrying about blame.

Use Dash Cam Footage for Driver Coaching

Video gives you real examples to talk through. Used fairly, it helps drivers see their own habits and understand why changes matter.

How AI Dash Cams Reduce Distracted Driving

A driver facing camera changes behaviour simply by being there. But the latest systems go further.

With RAM Live connected dash cams, you get front and driver facing cameras, instant alerts when driving events occur and access to footage through the web portal and app.

The optional AI driver monitoring add on, available with Live Vision, detects:

• Phone use

• Drowsiness and distraction

• Smoking

• Driver absence

When risky behaviour is spotted, the driver hears an in-cab audio alert straight away. You receive a notification at the same time, so you can step in if a pattern starts to form.

Fleet Safety Results from RAM Customers

When A1 Removals & Storage installed internal and external dash cams, phone use at the wheel had continued despite repeated warnings. Director John Greening said: “The change in behaviour was instant. The bad habits that came due to them being distracted were rife but have now stopped.”

At ASB Delivery Services, connected dash cams with AI monitoring helped cut accidents from 8 to 10 a year down to just 1. Real time in cab alerts encouraged drivers to correct their behaviour on the spot.

Safe Driving Tips for Fleet Drivers

Pin these up in the depot or add them to your driver handbook:

• Put your phone on driving mode or out of reach before you set off

• Set up your sat nav and radio before moving

• Pull over somewhere safe and legal to make or take calls

• Eat and drink during breaks, not on the move

• Stop for at least 15 minutes every two hours

• If you feel drowsy, find a safe place to stop. Don’t push on

• Tell your manager if a schedule doesn’t leave enough time

Reduce Distracted Driving Across Your Fleet

Distracted driving isn’t just about phones. Calls from the office, in cab tech, eating on the go, tiredness and bad weather all play a part. And for fleet drivers juggling tight schedules, the pressure to multitask is constant.

The good news is that most distractions can be reduced with the right approach:

• Set clear rules on phone use that apply to drivers and office staff alike

• Plan realistic schedules with regular breaks built in

• Keep vehicles well maintained so drivers aren’t distracted by faults

• Coach drivers using real footage, focusing on improvement rather than blame

• Use technology that spots risky behaviour as it happens

That last point is where AI dash cams make the biggest difference. Instead of finding out about a problem after an incident, your drivers get an alert in the cab the moment their attention slips. You’re notified at the same time, so small habits can be tackled before they turn into collisions, claims or penalty points.

Want to see how it works? Book a demo of our AI dash cams and find out how RAM can help your drivers stay focused, safe and on the right side of the law.

Distracted Driving FAQs

Can drivers use a phone while stopped at traffic lights?

No, drivers cannot use a handheld phone while stopped at traffic lights. The law still applies at traffic lights or when queuing in traffic.  

Is it legal to use a phone in a windscreen holder?

Yes, it is legal to use a phone in a windscreen holder, as long as the driver doesn’t hold it. Hands free access includes a windscreen mount or dashboard holder, but the device must not block the view of the road.

Are there any exceptions to the mobile phone driving law?

Yes, there are a few exceptions to the mobile phone driving law. Drivers can use a handheld device to call 999 or 112 in an emergency when it’s unsafe or impractical to stop, or when safely parked.

How often should fleet drivers take a break?

Fleet drivers should take a break of at least 15 minutes every two hours. This is the minimum recommended by National Highways. Drivers of goods vehicles must also follow drivers’ hours rules.

Can AI dash cams detect phone use while driving?

Yes, AI dash cams can detect phone use while driving. RAM Live AI monitoring spots phone use, drowsiness, distraction, smoking and driver absence, and alerts the driver in the cab in real time.