A Fleet Manager’s Guide to Driver Safety

Whether employees spend all day on the road or simply travel between appointments, driver safety should be a priority for every organisation operating a fleet. With increasing traffic volumes, busy schedules and changing road conditions, drivers face a range of risks every time they get behind the wheel.  

While incidents can’t always be prevented, fleet managers can take practical steps to reduce risk and support safer driving behaviours. In this guide, we’ll explore how to promote driver safety across your fleet and create a culture that helps protect both drivers and other road users.  

Understanding the Risks Associated with Driving for Work  

Promoting driver safety starts with understanding the risks drivers face every day. Fatigue, distractions, poor vehicle condition and adverse weather can all increase the likelihood of an incident. Time pressures can also play a role, particularly when drivers feel under pressure to meet deadlines or make up for delays.  

According to Department for Transport data, 445 people were killed in collisions involving a working driver in 2025 (29% of all road fatalities), highlighting the importance of effective driver safety strategies. By recognising common risk factors and addressing them proactively, fleet managers can help reduce the likelihood of incidents and better support their drivers.  

Creating a Strong Driver Safety Culture  

Building a strong driver safety culture goes beyond policies and procedures. It requires organisations to demonstrate that driver wellbeing and road safety are genuine priorities.  

Fleet managers can support driver safety by setting clear expectations, encouraging open communication and providing regular training. Equally important is creating realistic schedules and workloads, helping to reduce the temptation to speed, skip breaks or take unnecessary risks.  

At Holman, we’re proud to partner with Driving for Better Business, a National Highways programme that provides free resources, guidance and tools to help organisations improve driver safety and reduce road risk.  

Identifying High Risk Drivers  

Data can provide valuable insights into driver safety performance. By identifying trends such as speeding, harsh braking or frequent incidents, fleet managers can intervene early and provide targeted support before behaviours develop into more serious issues.  

Holman’s Riskmaster solution helps organisations identify higher-risk drivers and automatically assign relevant training modules. This proactive approach enables fleet managers to address driver safety concerns early, supporting behaviour change and helping to reduce the likelihood of collisions.  

Empowering Drivers with the Right Tools and Support  

Driver safety isn’t influenced by behaviour alone. Vehicle condition also plays a critical role. Issues such as damaged tyres, faulty lights or fluid leaks can all increase risk if left unresolved.  

That’s why regular vehicle inspections are essential. Through the Holman Driver App, drivers can complete pre-use inspections before starting their journey, helping identify issues that may compromise safety.  

The app also gives drivers quick access to support when they need it, whether they’re reporting damage, booking maintenance, accessing helpful information or connecting with approved suppliers.  

A Smarter Approach to Driver Safety  

As a fleet operator, driver safety is your responsibility. Effective driver safety programmes combine people, processes and technology. By creating a strong safety culture, supporting driver wellbeing, addressing risky behaviours and ensuring vehicles remain roadworthy, organisations can significantly reduce risk across their fleet.  

At Holman, we help fleet operators take a proactive approach to driver safety through solutions including Riskmaster and our Driver App, providing greater visibility, support and control. If you’re looking to strengthen driver safety across your fleet, our team is here to help.