My Speeding Course: Why Driver Behaviour Costs Fleet Managers

By RAM Tracking on 8 Sep 2025

By Daniel Briggs, Marketing Director, RAM Tracking

A personal wake-up call that reinforced why managing driver behaviour is more critical than ever for fleet businesses.

I'll be honest with you; I recently completed a speed awareness course. Not exactly the kind of experience I expected to be writing about in a professional context, but it turned out to be one of the most eye-opening lessons I've had. It taught me about the real impact of driver behaviour on businesses.

The Reality Check

Let me set the record straight, I wasn't tearing down a motorway at ridiculous speeds. I was on a family glamping trip, had nipped out for food, and my speed simply crept over the limit. A momentary lapse of concentration that cost me a morning in a classroom.

But what I learned there has fundamentally changed how I think about fleet management and driver safety.

Three Things That Surprised Me

The course delivered some fascinating insights I genuinely didn't know:

1. The tennis ball test: A dual carriageway is defined by whether you can roll a tennis ball across the central divider. If the barrier is higher than the paint markings, it's classified as a dual carriageway. Simple, but something most drivers never consider.
2. Speed bumps were originally called "sleeping policemen": a term that feels almost quaint compared to today's traffic management systems
3. The maths of speeding is sobering: Travelling 10mph over the 70mph limit (80mph) only saves you 6 seconds per mile. Six seconds. For the increased risk, fuel consumption, and potential consequences, it's hardly worth it.

The Statistics That Stopped Me Cold

The accident statistics shared during the course put everything into perspective. According to the latest Department for Transport data:

• 1,633 people were killed on UK roads in 2024

• 27,904 were seriously injured
• 98,838 were slightly injured

That's 128,375 total casualties, essentially wiping out a city the size of Cambridge every single year.

These aren't just numbers; they represent real people, real families, and real businesses dealing with devastating consequences. To put this in perspective, according to road safety charity Brake, someone is killed or seriously injured on our roads every 17 minutes.

What Fleet Managers Really Face

Sitting in that online classroom, I couldn't help but think about the fleet managers I work with. The weight of responsibility they carry is enormous. Every vehicle that leaves their depot represents not just a business asset, but someone's safety; their drivers, other road users, and ultimately their company’s reputation and financial stability.

Yet many lack the tools and systems to effectively address these concerns.

The Business Impact Goes Beyond Safety

Poor driver behaviour doesn't just create safety risks; it hits your bottom line hard. Our recent Fleet Efficiency Benchmark Report, based on data from over 500 fleet managers, revealed:

• 48% of businesses cite driver management as their top operational challenge
• Driver safety was rated important by 65% of fleet managers
• 21% of fleets struggle with speeding issues
• 10% deal with harsh driving incidents regularly

The impact extends across multiple areas of fleet operations:

• Insurance costs: Poor driving behaviour directly impacts insurance premiums, with insurers increasingly using telematics data to assess risk.
• Vehicle maintenance: Aggressive acceleration, harsh braking, and speeding significantly increase wear and tear on fleet vehicles.
• Fuel efficiency: Inefficient driving habits can dramatically increase fuel consumption which is one of the largest operational costs for any fleet.
• Productivity losses: When drivers are involved in incidents, vehicles are off the road, schedules are disrupted, and administrative time increases exponentially.

Real Results: ASB Delivery Services Case Study

The impact of addressing driver behaviour becomes clear when you see real results. ASB Delivery Services implemented comprehensive driver management and achieved remarkable outcomes:

• 20% reduction in diesel costs per van through improved driving habits
• 2 hours saved daily in administrative time thanks to automated monitoring and reporting
• Significant reduction in vehicle maintenance costs due to smoother driving practices

These results demonstrate that investing in driver behaviour management delivers measurable ROI while improving safety outcomes.

Technology Solutions for Fleet Driver Management

The encouraging news? Technology is making it easier than ever to manage driver behaviour. Modern fleet management solutions offer:

• Real-time driver monitoring: 90% of successful fleets now use real-time vehicle tracking to identify and address poor driving habits as they happen.
• AI-powered dash cams: Our fleet dash cams don't just record incidents; they prevent them by detecting drowsiness, phone use, and distraction in real-time.
• Data-driven coaching: Instead of reactive disciplinary measures, fleet managers can use driving data to provide targeted, constructive coaching that improves behaviour over time.

The Human Element in Fleet Management

Here's what my speed awareness course really taught me: we're all human. Even the most responsible drivers can have momentary lapses. The difference between a successful fleet operation and a troubled one isn't whether mistakes happen, it's whether you have systems in place to minimise their frequency and impact.

The best fleet managers I know don't rely on hoping their drivers will always make perfect decisions. They invest in technology and processes that support good decision-making and provide safety nets when human error occurs.

Key Actions for Fleet Managers

1. Implement real-time monitoring systems that provide immediate feedback rather than end-of-month reports
2. Establish clear driving policies with specific, measurable standards for acceleration, braking, and speed compliance
3. Create positive coaching programs that reward improvement rather than just penalising poor behaviour
4. Use data to identify trends and address systemic issues before they become major problems
5. Invest in driver training that goes beyond basic safety to include fuel-efficient driving techniques

Moving Forward: Your Business Depends on Safe Driving

My morning in that classroom was a reminder that managing driver behaviour isn't about being punitive or distrustful, it's about being responsible. Every fleet manager has a duty to their drivers, their business, and the public to do everything possible to promote safe driving.

In an industry where margins are tight and competition is fierce, investing in driver behaviour management isn't just about risk mitigation; it's about operational efficiency, cost control, and building a sustainable business.

The statistics don't lie: someone is killed or seriously injured on our roads every 17 minutes. As fleet operators, we have both the opportunity and the responsibility to be part of the solution.

Drive safe. Your business depends on it.

Want to learn more about how modern fleet management solutions can help you better manage driver behaviour and improve business outcomes? Our Fleet Efficiency Benchmark Report contains insights from over 500 fleet managers and is available as a free download.

Download the Report

About the Author

Daniel Briggs is Marketing Director with almost 3 years of experience in the Field Service SaaS space and a deep understanding of what fleet managers need for both fleet tracking and job management.

His expertise spans fleet optimisation, driver behaviour management, and technology solutions that deliver measurable business results.