{"id":97292,"date":"2024-01-31T11:59:18","date_gmt":"2024-01-31T10:59:18","guid":{"rendered":" https:\/\/www.quartix.com\/?p=97292"},"modified":"2024-01-31T14:45:51","modified_gmt":"2024-01-31T13:45:51","slug":"driver-road-safety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quartix.com\/en-gb\/blog\/driver-road-safety\/","title":{"rendered":"Driver roadworthiness: The key to incident prevention, with Mark Cartwright of National Highways"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=dYgEPk2T12I\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"362\" src=\" https:\/\/www.quartix.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/MARK-CARTWRIGHT-POCAST-BLOG-BANNER.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-97293\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Do we take driving as seriously as we should? For most of us, it\u2019s the most dangerous activity we regularly carry out. But our journeys happen effortlessly, and we rarely contemplate the inherent risks on the road.&nbsp;If we apply the same smart safety measures to how our staff travel from A to B as we would a critical business project, those risks can be mitigated.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mark Cartwright, Head of Commercial Vehicle Incident Prevention at <a href=\"https:\/\/nationalhighways.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Highways<\/a>, shares invaluable insights in our latest podcast episode on road safety. Read on for a thought-provoking exploration into this often-overlooked aspect of our daily work.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Subscribe to <a href=\"https:\/\/thefleetinsider.buzzsprout.com\/2179658\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Fleet Insider<\/a> to hear more discussions with fleet professionals.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Jump to:<\/p>\n\n\n\r\n<section  class=\"qtx-pagebuilder-section qtx-pagebuilder-section-list \">\r\n<ul class='ticks fa-ul' style='0'><li><span class='fa-li'><i class='fas fa-check-circle'><\/i><\/span><a href='#1' class='' title='' target=''>Identifying road risks<\/a><\/li><li><span class='fa-li'><i class='fas fa-check-circle'><\/i><\/span><a href='#2' class='' title='' target=''>Top causes of road traffic accidents<\/a><\/li><li><span class='fa-li'><i class='fas fa-check-circle'><\/i><\/span><a href='#3' class='' title='' target=''>Addressing &#8216;fitness to drive&#8217;<\/a><\/li><li><span class='fa-li'><i class='fas fa-check-circle'><\/i><\/span><a href='#4' class='' title='' target=''>Road safety as a corporate responsibility<\/a><\/li><li><span class='fa-li'><i class='fas fa-check-circle'><\/i><\/span><a href='#5' class='' title='' target=''>Driver distraction<\/a><\/li><li><span class='fa-li'><i class='fas fa-check-circle'><\/i><\/span><a href='#6' class='' title='' target=''>Van driver resources<\/a><\/li><li><span class='fa-li'><i class='fas fa-check-circle'><\/i><\/span><a href='#7' class='' title='' target=''>Better help at the scene of a crash<\/a><\/li><li><span class='fa-li'><i class='fas fa-check-circle'><\/i><\/span><a href='#8' class='' title='' target=''>The value of a fleet tracking system<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/section><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<section  class=\"qtx-pagebuilder-section qtx-pagebuilder-section-blockquote qtx-pagebuilder-section-blockquote-left_green_border \">\r\n        <div class=\"left_green_border\">\r\n            <blockquote>\r\n                <p><em><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW241840230 BCX0\">\u201cWe hear a <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW241840230 BCX0\">lot of<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW241840230 BCX0\">health and safety <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW241840230 BCX0\">emphasis <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW241840230 BCX0\">on sites \u2013 right down to people scalding their fingers because the vending machine coffee was too hot. But very few businesses know <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW241840230 BCX0\">what\u2019s<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW241840230 BCX0\"> happening out on the road. They know their vehicles are roadworthy, but <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW241840230 BCX0\">that\u2019s<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW241840230 BCX0\">often <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW241840230 BCX0\">as far as it goes.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n                                    <footer>\r\n                        \u2014 <cite class=\"author\">Mark Cartwright<\/cite>, <cite class=\"author_line_2\">Head of Commercial Vehicle Incident Prevention at National Highways<\/cite>\r\n                    <\/footer>\r\n                            <\/blockquote>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        <\/section>\r\n\r\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Fleet Insider, episode 4: Mark Cartwright, Head of Commercial Vehicle Incident Prevention at National Highways<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Mark Cartwright spearheads the Commercial Vehicle Incident Prevention team at <a href=\"https:\/\/nationalhighways.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Highways<\/a>, leading a dedicated group of project managers focused on implementing interventions to minimise the occurrence and impact of collisions across our road network, with a primary emphasis on vans and trucks. Also, as the Senior Responsible Officer for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drivingforbetterbusiness.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Driving for Better Business<\/a> campaign, Mark actively promotes best practices and heightens awareness surrounding road safety issues. His prior experience includes collaboration with <a href=\"https:\/\/logistics.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Logistics UK<\/a> on the <a href=\"https:\/\/logistics.org.uk\/vanexcellence\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Van Excellence<\/a> scheme.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mark&#8217;s approach is heavily data-driven, and he collaborates closely with Quartix and other technology firms to harness valuable insights from data, fostering a continuous exchange of feedback and opinions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" src=\" https:\/\/www.quartix.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Podcast-Speaker-Mark-Cartwright.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-97304\" style=\"object-fit:contain;width:378px;height:378px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"350\" height=\"300\" src=\" https:\/\/www.quartix.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/underestimated-risk-road-safety.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-97328\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:230px;height:197px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1\">Identifying road risks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Businesses often prioritise vehicle safety, which can be managed through <a href=\"\/en-gb\/blog\/the-importance-of-vehicle-checks-for-your-fleet-during-winter-months\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">regular vehicle inspections<\/a>. Tyre management, a critical concern, often sees more attention given to tread depth than maintaining optimal tyre pressures. However, the latter poses a significant risk. Unsteady load distribution in vans, coupled with underinflated tyres, can lead to a dangerously unstable vehicle &#8211; especially during emergency manoeuvres or in wet conditions. Explore the <a href=\"\/en-gb\/quartix-check-vehicle-inspection-app\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Quartix Check vehicle inspection app<\/a> for a comprehensive solution for your drivers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>However, very few crashes are caused by the vehicle condition<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Understanding your drivers is crucial, as this poses the most risk regardless of business size. \u201cIt sounds like managing a football team, but it\u2019s so important to know what\u2019s going on with each driver and to know the pressures they are under. If someone has a new baby, they\u2019re likely to be getting fatigued and that can be dangerous. It\u2019s important to engage with drivers&#8217; on health issues too, especially around certain age demographics,\u201d explains Mark.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"350\" height=\"300\" src=\" https:\/\/www.quartix.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/top-causes-of-road-traffic-incidents.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-97377\" style=\"width:230px;height:197px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2\">What are the top causes of road traffic incidents?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Exploring incident causation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Contrary to common perception, very few crashes stem from vehicle failure or vehicle condition. The primary contributors are human factors &#8211; the drivers themselves. \u201cVehicles don\u2019t crash. People crash \u2013 they just happen to be in a vehicle at the time,\u201d says Mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>National Highways has identified the top five contributors to road traffic incidents below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Impairment:<\/strong> Whether induced by illegal or prescribed drugs, over-the-counter medication, or alcohol.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Distraction:<\/strong> Further insights on this critical factor will be detailed below.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fatigue:<\/strong> National Highways is actively engaged in projects aimed at assisting workplaces in predicting and mitigating fatigue across their workforce.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Medical Conditions:<\/strong> Understanding and addressing the impact of various medical conditions on driver performance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Attitude:<\/strong> For a deeper exploration of this factor, refer to our blog on <a href=\"\/en-gb\/blog\/telematics-data-shifts-drivers-attitudes-towards-safety\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">changing driver attitudes towards safety<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"350\" height=\"300\" src=\" https:\/\/www.quartix.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Fitness-to-drive.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-97390\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:230px;height:197px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3\">Let&#8217;s talk about &#8216;fitness to drive&#8217;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While businesses often express confidence in the roadworthiness of their vehicles, the same level of consideration is not always extended to the fitness of their drivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhether you\u2019re a large fleet with dedicated fleet managers or a small building company with just a couple of vans, it&#8217;s easy to approach a driver and request a vehicle check: \u2018Can you inspect your vehicle again? Those tyres look off to me,\u2019 or \u2018It seems overloaded.\u2019 It&#8217;s a direct question, and the response is usually straightforward \u2013 either \u2018Yes, it&#8217;s okay\u2019 or \u2018No, I&#8217;ve rectified it\u2019,&#8221; says Mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, initiating a conversation about a driver&#8217;s personal fitness to drive is a daunting task many shy away from. Approaching someone to express concern about their well-being, and asking if they are fit to drive, can be a challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If a staff member is sleep-deprived, dealing with personal issues, or suffering a medical condition, they may pose a genuine risk when they are behind the wheel. It&#8217;s a conversation that needs to happen for the safety of all road users.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"350\" height=\"300\" src=\" https:\/\/www.quartix.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/safety-is-a-duty-of-care.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-97414\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:230px;height:197px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4\">A gap in safety measures <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>More than 50% of UK motorway traffic represents individuals driving for work, with approximately 0.5 million trucks, 4.5 million vans, 1 million company cars, and an estimated 14 million grey fleet vehicles. These drivers are not just commuters; they are employees, and businesses hold a responsibility for their well-being, governed by duty of care and health and safety regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhat I find fascinating, and terrifying, is how many businesses will toss employees a set of keys and say, \u2018off you go\u2019. Yet within the premises, they have every safeguard and safety measure in place\u201d, says Mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cRoad-related incidents aren\u2019t <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hse.gov.uk\/riddor\/examples-reportable-incidents.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">RIDDOR reportable<\/a> in the same way that an incident on site would be. If they were, I think it would be a completely different scenario\u201d, Mark explains. National Highways advocates for businesses to place the same importance upon an employee&#8217;s ability to drive safely as they do to their professional duties. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"350\" height=\"300\" src=\" https:\/\/www.quartix.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/distracted-driving.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-97455\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:230px;height:197px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5\">Tackling driver distraction is crucial<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>National Highways is actively engaged in multiple projects, including the collaborative Operation Tramlines with the Police. This initiative equips several HGVs with elevated cameras to survey the network to help pinpoint instances of distracted driving. This valuable data aids National Highways in understanding the prevalence of distracted driving across various vehicle types and identifying the common types of distractions drivers engage in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe often get asked, what\u2019s the strangest thing that you\u2019ve seen drivers doing? We have seen some odd things, but the reality is that it\u2019s mostly mobile phone usage and not wearing seatbelts \u2013 just very straightforward, dangerous stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"350\" height=\"300\" src=\" https:\/\/www.quartix.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Van-driver-resources.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-97438\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:230px;height:197px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6\">Help for van drivers <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe truth is that HGVs don\u2019t crash that often, but when they do, it tends to be big and horrible because of the laws of physics. But vans crash a lot and present a significant risk to the drivers and other road users\u201d, explains Mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>National Highways has intensified its focus on LCVs, delving into the operators&#8217; needs and the prevalent causes of collisions. This proactive approach aims to identify solutions tailored to mitigate risks &#8211; a noteworthy initiative is the Driving for Better Business\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/vandrivertoolkit.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Van Driver Toolkit<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"350\" height=\"300\" src=\" https:\/\/www.quartix.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/post-collision-response.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-97466\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:230px;height:197px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7\">Improving post-collision response<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At National Highways, the commitment extends beyond incident prevention to reducing the severity of collisions and minimising fatalities. Innovative projects, such as the &#8216;post-collision trauma response&#8217;, play a pivotal role. This initiative raises awareness about the critical actions bystanders can take while awaiting emergency services at the scene of a collision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cA high percentage of fatalities could be prevented by performing basic first aid in those crucial moments\u201d, explains Mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>National Highways empowers individuals to make a difference by offering guidance on basic first aid, including addressing cardiac issues, performing CPR, controlling bleeding, and clearing airways. The emphasis is on equipping people with the knowledge to make effective 999 calls and protecting the collision scene until professional help arrives.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"350\" height=\"300\" src=\" https:\/\/www.quartix.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/telematics-role.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-97477\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:230px;height:197px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8\">How vehicle tracking can help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The adoption of a fleet tracking system transforms how drivers perceive their responsibilities on the road and significantly enhances overall safety. The awareness that their <a href=\"\/en-gb\/vehicle-tracking\/driver-behaviour\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">driving behaviour<\/a> is under scrutiny prompts drivers to naturally improve, knowing they are accountable for their actions. The technology fosters a safer driving culture and shields your brand reputation through encouraging responsible driving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI think the kind of rich data that businesses can pull from systems such as Quartix is invaluable\u201d, says Mark. &#8220;You invest in business assets and invaluable team members &#8211; why wouldn\u2019t you want to protect both the human assets and the vehicles?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve always liked Quartix\u2019s SafeSpeed feature. We know that speed is a significant cause of accidents and certainly makes them more serious\u201d, explains Mark.&nbsp;<a href=\"\/en-gb\/vehicle-tracking\/safespeed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Learn more about the Quartix SafeSpeed feature and contextual speed scores<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cA good driver behaviour telematics system should be right at the top of your list. If you don\u2019t know what your staff are doing, you can\u2019t manage that.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tackling road safety <\/h2>\n\n\n\r\n<section  class=\"qtx-pagebuilder-section qtx-pagebuilder-section-accordion\">\r\n            <div class=\"accordion noboxes\" id=\"acc591938818\">\r\n                                            <div class=\"accordion-item\">\r\n                    <button class=\"accordion-title\"><span class=\"arrow\"><\/span>How do vehicle inspections improve road safety?<\/button>\r\n                    <div class=\"accordion-content\"><p>Regular <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quartix.com\/en-gb\/blog\/the-importance-of-vehicle-checks-for-your-fleet-during-winter-months\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">vehicle inspections<\/a> ensure optimal vehicle performance, through early identification of vehicle defects or safety concerns. Critical areas like tyre tread depth and tyre pressure can affect a vehicle&#8217;s response to an emergency manoeuvre or certain road surface conditions, presenting added risk.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n                                            <div class=\"accordion-item\">\r\n                    <button class=\"accordion-title\"><span class=\"arrow\"><\/span>How can I manage vehicle inspections across my fleet? <\/button>\r\n                    <div class=\"accordion-content\"><p>Documentation of vehicle checks is necessary to comply with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/roadside-vehicle-checks-for-commercial-drivers\/making-sure-your-vehicle-is-roadworthy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency<\/a> (DVSA) regulations. You can capture industry-standard vehicle inspections with ease using our mobile app for your drivers, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quartix.com\/en-gb\/quartix-check-vehicle-inspection-app\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Quartix Check<\/a>. The vehicle inspections are easy to access on a dashboard within your Fleet Tracking system, meaning you can easily keep track of your fleet\u2019s vehicle inspections, and incident reports, in one place.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n                                            <div class=\"accordion-item\">\r\n                    <button class=\"accordion-title\"><span class=\"arrow\"><\/span>What are the primary causes of road incidents?<\/button>\r\n                    <div class=\"accordion-content\"><p>National Highways research has identified human factors such as impairment, distraction, fatigue, medical conditions, and driver attitude as the main contributors to road incidents.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n                                            <div class=\"accordion-item\">\r\n                    <button class=\"accordion-title\"><span class=\"arrow\"><\/span>What steps can businesses take to enhance safety measures when teams are on the road?<\/button>\r\n                    <div class=\"accordion-content\"><p>Prioritising driver safety with the same rigor applied to other professional duties, and implementing safeguards and measures can help. Initiating conversations about a driver&#8217;s fitness to drive, and acknowledging personal challenges that may affect road safety, are also key to creating a safe fleet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n                                            <div class=\"accordion-item\">\r\n                    <button class=\"accordion-title\"><span class=\"arrow\"><\/span>What resources are available to van drivers to improve road safety?<\/button>\r\n                    <div class=\"accordion-content\"><p>Driving for Better Business\u2019 provides the <a href=\"https:\/\/vandrivertoolkit.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Van Driver Toolkit<\/a>, recognising the greater risk of collision associated with van driving. Drivers can also be provided access to their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quartix.com\/en-gb\/vehicle-tracking\/driver-behaviour\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">driving behaviour profile<\/a> on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quartix.com\/en-gb\/mobile-app-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Quartix mobile app<\/a>, to track their own progress.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n                                            <div class=\"accordion-item\">\r\n                    <button class=\"accordion-title\"><span class=\"arrow\"><\/span>How does a fleet tracking system improve driver safety?<\/button>\r\n                    <div class=\"accordion-content\"><p>A fleet tracking system enhances safety by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quartix.com\/en-gb\/driver-scores-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">monitoring driver behaviour<\/a>, promoting accountability, and providing valuable data for improved management. A telematics system can help a business to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quartix.com\/en-gb\/blog\/enforcing-a-company-speeding-policy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">enforce a speeding policy<\/a> and encourage staff to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quartix.com\/en-gb\/vehicle-tracking\/safespeed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">adopt safe speeds<\/a> that are appropriate for the roads they travel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n                                            <div class=\"accordion-item\">\r\n                    <button class=\"accordion-title\"><span class=\"arrow\"><\/span>What is a Quartix relative speed score?<\/button>\r\n                    <div class=\"accordion-content\"><p>A high rate of fatal accidents take place on rural roads, despite drivers rarely exceeding these roads\u2019 legal speed limit. So Quartix provides a better measurement of safe speeds for your drivers; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quartix.com\/en-gb\/vehicle-tracking\/safespeed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the Relative Speed Score<\/a> uses the average speed of thousands of vehicles on specific road segments across the country. The score shows you how much a driver is deviating from normal speeds on the roads they travel, and the level of risk they take.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n    <\/section>\r\n<script nonce=\"\" nonce=\"\">\r\ndocument.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\", function(){\r\n    var titles = document.getElementById (\"acc591938818\").getElementsByClassName(\"accordion-title\");\r\n    for (var i = 0; i < titles.length; i++) {\r\n        if ( i == (parseInt(-1 ))) {\r\n            titles[i].classList.add(\"active\");\r\n            titles[i].nextElementSibling.style.maxHeight = titles[i].nextElementSibling.scrollHeight + \"px\";\r\n        }\r\n    }\r\n});\r\n\r\nvar titles = document.getElementById (\"acc591938818\").getElementsByClassName(\"accordion-title\");\r\nfor (var i = 0; i < titles.length; i++) {\r\n    titles[i].addEventListener(\"click\", function() {\r\n        if (\"openlots\" == \"openone\") {\r\n            if(this.classList.contains(\"active\")) {\r\n                this.classList.toggle(\"active\");\r\n                this.nextElementSibling.style.maxHeight = null;\r\n            }\r\n            else {\r\n                document.querySelectorAll('#acc591938818 .accordion-title').forEach(el => el.classList.remove('active'));\r\n                document.querySelectorAll('#acc591938818 .accordion-content').forEach(el => el.style.maxHeight = null);\r\n                this.classList.toggle(\"active\");\r\n                var panel = this.nextElementSibling;\r\n                if (this.classList.contains(\"active\")) {\r\n                    panel.style.maxHeight = panel.scrollHeight + \"px\";\r\n                } else {\r\n                panel.style.maxHeight = null;\r\n                }\r\n            }\r\n        }\r\n        else {\r\n            this.classList.toggle(\"active\");\r\n            var panel = this.nextElementSibling;\r\n            if (this.classList.contains(\"active\")) {\r\n                panel.style.maxHeight = panel.scrollHeight + \"px\";\r\n            } else {\r\n            panel.style.maxHeight = null;\r\n            }\r\n        }\r\n    });\r\n}\r\n<\/script>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Driver Roadworthiness: The Key to Incident Prevention, Mark Cartwright of National Highways\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dYgEPk2T12I?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to listen to the podcast?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To hear more insights and guidance from Mark  and other fleet professionals, head over to our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thefleetinsider.buzzsprout.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">podcast channel<\/a>&nbsp;and choose your preferred platform to listen. We hope you enjoy this episode and join us for more discussions from a range of industries over the coming months!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\"><div id='buzzsprout-small-player'><\/div>\n<p><script nonce=\"\" type='text\/javascript' charset='utf-8' src='https:\/\/www.buzzsprout.com\/2179658.js?container_id=buzzsprout-small-player&#038;player=small'><\/script><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Get valuable road safety insights from Mark Cartwright of National Highways: tackling vehicle risks, prioritising driver well-being, and leveraging fleet tracking data.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":97315,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1565],"tags":[],"topic":[1855,1857],"qtx_fblgauthor":[],"class_list":["post-97292","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","topic-manage-drivers","topic-manage-risk"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.2 (Yoast SEO v27.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Driver roadworthiness: The key to incident prevention &amp; road safety - UK<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Road safety insights from Mark Cartwright of National Highways. 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