Introduction
Fleet safety is often viewed as a combination of vehicle checks, driver behaviour monitoring and adherence to road laws. While those elements are essential, the reality is more complex. Preventing accidents requires a holistic approach that considers training, vehicle condition, incident response and even the health and readiness of drivers. Businesses that invest in these broader areas often find they can reduce risk, protect staff and maintain operational stability even in challenging conditions.
The UK Government has recognised this by introducing new road safety proposals that target fleet operations more directly than before. As highlighted by Fleet World, these proposals include a mix of enforcement and education strategies aimed at reducing accidents caused by unsafe driving behaviour and poor vehicle condition. While monitoring systems and telematics have their place, true fleet safety depends on a combination of technology, training and culture - a multi-layered approach that goes beyond compliance to actively protect lives.
Vehicle Condition: The First Defence
Vehicle defects remain a major contributor to accidents. According to Fleet News, there are new rules increasing penalty points for vehicles with defective brakes and tyres. The penalty points issued for defective brakes, tyres, or steering jumped from 8,614 in 2023 to 13,109 in 2024 which is a 52% increase. Penalty points for defective tyres rose by 44%, from 6,196 to 8,945 and defective brakes saw a six fold rise, from 181 to 1,190.
Expanding on this, fleet operators must recognise that a vehicle that passes a routine MOT is not necessarily safe for demanding operational use. A lorry covering hundreds of miles a week will experience far greater wear on tyres, suspension and brakes than a privately owned car used for short commutes. Preventative maintenance schedules are therefore essential, and these should be more frequent and thorough than the legal minimum. The investment in regular inspections is far outweighed by the cost of an accident.
Commercial vehicle driver training also has a role here, as drivers who are trained to recognise early signs of mechanical failure can alert maintenance teams before a fault turns into a hazard. An integrated approach, where training and mechanical upkeep work hand in hand, provides a more robust defence against avoidable incidents.
Safety Recalls Cannot Be Ignored
The risks associated with ignoring manufacturer recalls cannot be overstated. A recent example involves Fleet News reporting that Stellantis recalled 72,000 cars from seven brands including Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Fiat, Jeep and Alfa Romeo because of a fuel pipe fault that carried a risk of engine fires. The affected vehicles were built between 2023 and 2025. over a fuel pipe fault that carried a risk of engine fires. For fleet operators, this is not just a mechanical issue but a potential incident management crisis.
In larger fleets, vehicles are often dispersed across different locations, making it harder to ensure that all recall work is completed promptly. This is where robust tracking systems and clear internal communication protocols become essential. Fleet managers should have a process in place that immediately identifies affected vehicles and assigns responsibility for arranging repairs.
Ignoring or delaying a recall can have severe consequences. Not only are there safety risks posed to drivers and the public, but there is also the reputational damage that comes from an avoidable accident making the news. A public disclosure that a fleet vehicle involved in an incident had an unresolved recall could seriously damage the organisation’s reputation. This is why recall management should be considered as important as insurance renewal or driver licensing checks.
Training Beyond the Basics
The skill and preparedness of drivers is another cornerstone of effective fleet safety. New initiatives are seeking to broaden what is expected from training programmes. As published by Fleet News, there are over 40,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests each year in the UK, with survival rates below one in ten. When CPR and an AED are applied within three to five minutes, survival rates can reach 70%. Every minute without action reduces survival chances by up to 10%. Training commercial vehicle drivers in such life-saving techniques not only supports public health but also equips them to respond effectively in roadside emergencies.
For commercial vehicle driver training, this broader approach should be taken seriously. Drivers who spend long hours on the road are often first on the scene at accidents and the ability to provide basic assistance until emergency services arrive could save lives. Including modules on emergency response, fatigue management and hazard anticipation moves training away from a simple “how to operate a vehicle” model towards one that prepares drivers for the varied realities of the road.
Fleet operators should also consider refresher training at regular intervals rather than treating it as a one-time event. Over time, even experienced drivers can develop bad habits or become complacent. Periodic assessments help ensure that skills remain sharp and that drivers remain engaged with safety protocols.
The Role of Graduate and Specialist Programmes
The industry is also making progress in creating more structured entry points for new drivers. As reported by Fleet News, training and graduate entry programmes are being launched for the commercial vehicle sector. These programmes aim to create a pipeline of well-trained professionals who understand both the operational and safety requirements of fleet work from the outset.
For fleet safety, this is particularly valuable. Graduates entering the sector with up-to-date knowledge of regulations, vehicle technology and incident management procedures are far less likely to be involved in preventable accidents. They are also more likely to embrace continuous learning and adapt to new safety expectations over the course of their careers.
Managing Risk with Older Drivers
One often overlooked aspect of fleet safety is the capability of older drivers. While older drivers bring valuable experience, age can also affect vision and reaction times. A coroner recently described the UK’s licensing rules as the “laxest in Europe” when it comes to vision requirements. As reported by Fleet News, new proposals would make eyesight tests compulsory for drivers over 70 renewing their licences. In 2024 there were an estimated 1,633 fatalities on Britain’s roads, up 1% from the year before. Introducing formal vision checks could identify issues before they contribute to collisions.
Furthermore, regular health checks, including vision tests, should be standard practice for all drivers regardless of age, with any necessary adjustments to routes or schedules made to account for individual capabilities.
Incorporating such assessments into annual reviews or licensing checks creates a more comprehensive incident management strategy. This ensures that any potential risk factors are addressed before they contribute to an accident. By openly discussing these measures with staff, fleets can maintain trust and ensure that safety is seen as a shared responsibility rather than a punitive measure.
Industry Calls for Better Standards
Safety is not limited to preventing collisions. Mechanical reliability and the condition of specialist components also play a role. Dealers have called for industry-wide used car battery health check tests to become standard, as published by Motor Trader. This reflects growing concerns about the risks associated with ageing or poorly maintained battery systems in modern vehicles, including electric and hybrid models now common in many fleets.
Regular health checks for all vehicle systems, not just the obvious safety-critical components, are essential to keeping fleet safety at a high standard. This is particularly relevant for fleets transitioning to electric vehicles, where battery performance can significantly affect reliability and safety outcomes.
Compliance as a Safety Tool
Compliance is sometimes viewed as a bureaucratic necessity, but when implemented effectively it can be a key driver of fleet safety. The transfer of compliance operations to specialist providers, as reported by Motor Trader, demonstrates the industry’s recognition that managing regulations and documentation is a specialised task.
For fleets, outsourcing certain compliance functions can free internal teams to focus on direct safety measures, while ensuring that all regulatory requirements are met to the highest standard. This reduces the risk of fines, penalties and operational downtime that can follow from non-compliance.
Why urgent action matters
The transport sector is evolving rapidly, with new technologies, fuel types and regulatory pressures emerging all the time. Waiting to react until after an accident is no longer an acceptable option. Organisations that commit to a proactive fleet safety strategy will not only reduce accidents but also enjoy smoother operations, lower costs and stronger relationships with clients and staff.
Take the next step towards safer operations
Embedding fleet safety into every part of your operation creates lasting protection for your staff, vehicles and brand. This means committing to regular maintenance, providing comprehensive commercial vehicle driver training and having clear incident management procedures. It also involves responding without delay to recalls, monitoring driver health and competence and preparing staff for emergencies beyond collisions.
Safety is built over time through consistent actions and accountability. By starting now, fleets can reduce accidents, protect lives and operate with confidence in a future where safety expectations will only increase.
Explore practical ways to strengthen your fleet’s safety measures, improve driver readiness, and enhance operational resilience. Schedule a demo to see how these strategies can be applied in real-world conditions.