Almost one in five UK business drivers surveyed feel stressed on every journey.
Driver stress at work: By Philip Storm, Fleetmaxx Solutions
A delivery slot is getting closer, the traffic has stopped moving and the office wants to know when you will arrive. If you drive for work, you probably know that feeling. If you plan the routes, it is worth asking how often your drivers start the day with enough time to deal with a hold-up.
In a survey of 500 UK business drivers for Alphabet GB, 19% said they felt stressed every time they got behind the wheel, and 42% said they felt that way at least once a week. Weekly stress was reported by 50% of respondents in manufacturing, 48% in delivery services and 45% in logistics.
A tight schedule makes a bad journey harder
Heavy traffic and congestion were the biggest source of stress, cited by 33% of drivers surveyed. Poor road conditions followed at 22%, and 15% pointed to aggressive or inconsiderate driving. One figure that caught my eye was that 10% pointed to pressure from their employer to meet tight schedules or arrive on time.
A fleet manager can change what happens when a driver gets stuck. If a delivery is going to be late, let the driver update the office when safely parked and have the office call the customer. That takes one job off the driver’s hands when they already have enough to deal with.
What fleet managers can do this week to help reduce driver stress
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Check the schedule against a real day
Pick a run that regularly falls behind. Ask the driver where the time goes. It could be a queue at the loading bay, awkward access or a regular stretch of roadworks. Use that feedback to adjust the next schedule and build in time for breaks.
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Give drivers time to get to know the vehicle
If someone is taking out a hire van or a pool car, allow time for the relevant pre-use checks, seat and mirror adjustments, and a look at unfamiliar controls or driver assistance features. Make it clear who to contact if they find a defect.
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Agree how drivers should check in
Set the expectation that routine calls and messages can wait until the driver is safely parked. Make sure drivers know who will pick up a delay or a missed slot back at the office.
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Protect break time
Rule 91 of the Highway Code recommends a break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving. Build the breaks required by the applicable drivers’ hours rules into the schedule for vehicles and operations they cover.
Give your drivers a say in the plan
Try asking at your next driver briefing, “Which part of your run puts you under the most pressure, and what would make it easier?” If the same delivery slot or loading bay keeps coming up, you have somewhere concrete to start.
If you are reviewing how you plan routes or handle vehicle checks, our team at Fleetmaxx Solutions can talk you through My Transport Planner and CheckedSafe digital walkaround checks.
Additional reading for you on fleet manager and driver stress
Driver fatigue – Protect your business
Driver fatigue is one of the biggest risks facing businesses whose employees drive for work. Whether your team operates HGVs, vans, company cars or grey fleet vehicles.
Are your drivers affected by poor sleep quality?
.With a startling 1 in 8 drivers admitting to falling asleep at the wheel and a staggering 1 in 5 collisions attributed to driver fatigue, the gravity of this issue cannot be overstated.
Addressing fleet manager stress and burnout
Did you know? A recent report states that 91 per cent of United Kingdom adults experienced high or extreme pressure or stress at some point during the previous year.
HGV driver mental health – Your Fleet Matters
Did you know the awful statistic that HGV drivers in the United Kingdom face a frightening suicide rate that is 20 per cent higher than the national average?
