Be a Road Safety Hero: Driving Culture, Technology and Responsibility

Welcome to Road Safety Week 2024! This year’s theme, “Be a road safety hero”, is dedicated to the collective effort needed to make our roads safer. From emergency responders to everyday drivers, we all play a role in creating safer journeys and supporting those affected by crashes. But have you ever wondered what factors contribute most to the safety ecosystem? Or how fleet managers can better monitor and enhance safety within their fleets thanks to technology? 

As we sat down for a chat with Chris L’Ecluse, Transport Solutions Specialist at Teletrac Navman, we uncovered more insights into what it means to be a road safety hero. 

Although there are many factors which contribute to the safety ecosystem in relation to driving, Chris believes that the driver remains the number one consideration in ensuring road safety. “The driver is solely responsible for operating any vehicle, even as autonomy is upon us. Until the law permits a vehicle to take full responsibility for any journey, the safe operation of that vehicle rests with the driver,” Chris explains. “They must be alert, free of distractions, engaged, while understanding the vehicles capabilities, their own abilities and limitations, and the environment in which they are driving.” 

Safety isn’t just about ticking a box and hoping for the best. It’s about building a company-wide culture that prioritises safety at every turn, from drivers all the way up to management.  

When discussing emerging technology trends that will help enhance road safety, Chris highlights the critical need for understanding technology’s role in safe driving as there is an ever expanding and diverse suite of technologies aimed at making the journey safer and easier. He notes, “Technology that makes driving easier, can sometimes encourage poor behaviours such as a lack of attention. The active and passive technologies aimed distinctly at making driving safer are those with greatest value. This trend started decades ago, initially with engineering and mechanical solutions such as seatbelts, crumple zones and collapsible steering columns; but over the years have included technological breakthroughs such as ABS brakes, SRS airbags, reversing cameras, lane keep assist and others, many of which are now mandated.”  

Chris explained that entering the era of autonomy also presents challenges in the perception of diminishing driver attention, as many rely on the various sensors to maintain road position and actively avoid collisions. “This should never take away the responsibility of the driver to be attentive and in control at all times”, Chris says.  

In our recent TS24 global survey we found that 98% of fleet managers are using telematics solutions. These solutions allow them to understand how drivers behave and how vehicles perform. Fleet management software opens up a world of possibilities, but it’s up to each manager to decide how they use the insights it provides. 

When we think about Road Safety Week 2024 and its focus on supporting people after crashes, Chris explains how Teletrac Navman technologies come into play. “Our technologies enable us to quickly notify emergency services about events like high-impact collisions,” he says. Chris draws on his experience as a Crash Investigator with the W.A. Police, recalling instances where help didn’t arrive in time because no one had alerted emergency services.  

“With Teletrac Navman’s technologies, we can identify these events right away and send alerts via text messages or emails to trigger emergency response plans,” Chris explains. This swift response greatly increases the chances of survival. Additionally, because Teletrac Navman’s technologies can pinpoint the exact location of the incident, fleet managers can ensure the right emergency responders are contacted.  

Chris suggests that many drivers may believe they are safe simply because they haven’t been in a crash. However, this isn’t always a reliable measure of their risk behaviours. “When presented with binary data which clearly indicates areas for improvement, fleet managers can use this data to better inform their drivers and collectively achieve a safer outcome while improving their compliance obligations,” Chris says.  

When asked about his personal habits for safe driving, Chris shares a simple yet effective strategy. “For every journey I take, I approach it as if I had a driving examiner sitting beside me, evaluating whether to grant me a driver’s licence,” he says. By adopting this mindset, Chris ensures that he remains fully focused on the task of driving, minimising distractions and prioritising safety above all else.  

Road Safety Week 2024 serves as a timely reminder to consider the impact of technologies and the personal habits we can adopt for safer driving. Whether you’re behind the wheel or managing a fleet, everyone contributes to making our roads safer. Ask yourself, what steps can you take not just during Road Safety Week, but also in the years ahead, to help make our roads safer for everyone? We all have the power to be road safety heroes.