Distance covered per collision ‘decreases’ by a fifth

Professional drivers are covering fewer miles between collisions, according to new analysis of telematics data.

Geotab found that the total distance per collision driven by truck, van and taxi operators in the UK decreased by a fifth (19%) in 2023, from 920,000 miles to 740,000 miles.

For a large British company running a fleet of 1,000 heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) each driving 75,000 miles per year, the 2023 data could represent an additional 20 collisions annually.  

In its ‘2024 State of Commercial Transportation’ report, Geotab analysed telematics data from one million commercial vehicles globally.

It found the overall trend to be an increase in the number of collisions, with Germany the worst-performing market posting a 27% reduction in miles before an accident.

Only a few markets bucked this trend, with Spain (+5.66%), Italy (+5.25%) and Brazil (+4%) seeing the most significant rise in miles driven before a collision.

David Savage, vice president for the UK and Ireland at Geotab, said: “Keeping drivers and other road users safe should be a top priority for all fleet decision-makers.

“Just over 20% of all road casualties occur in driving-for-work collisions. As an industry, we have a duty to reduce these numbers – which we can with better safety measures.”

Geotab is working with UK companies to enhance the ability to analyse their safety programmes with predictive analytics and benchmarking. 

The ‘2024 State of Commercial Transportation’ study found that fleets using Geotab’s safety features have shown a 40% reduction in collision rates.  

The report also examines key trends, challenges, and potential within the industry, highlighting the role of telematics in optimising fleet operations.