September 12, 2025
Sara Davies
Articles
It’s long been understood that the overwhelming majority of fatal road traffic accidents include driver speed, behaviour impairment, inexperience and distraction among their top contributory factors.
In fact, 85% of collisions currently involve an element of human error, according to charity Brake. But is new vehicle technology increasingly playing a part too, and if so, why?
Technology is only as safe as the user
Recent research by Warrantywise related to complex car technology and ADAS systems, discovered that two-fifths of drivers fail to identify cruise control warning signals, prompting concerns about the impact of new technologies on the safety of our roads.
41% of drivers admitted they don’t recognise or understand a single warning light from a suite of basic cruise control-related warnings in their vehicles.
With vehicles now capable of steering, braking and parking themselves, fleet managers need to ensure that drivers receive adequate training in understanding how their vehicles work in order to use, recognise and act on their features, to enhance safety as intended.
Consumer insights and data and analytics firm J.D. Power found that 61% of drivers don’t regularly use a vehicle’s advanced functions, and nearly a quarter have turned them off entirely due to finding them a distraction or an annoyance, negating the positive potential impact on safety had they left them active and been taught how use them properly.
Wessex Fleet driver training
Here at Wessex Fleet, our clients have long understood the vital role regular, monitored driver training plays, not only in keeping drivers and members of the public safe by reducing the risk of accidents, but in improving the productivity and efficiency of business operations.
You’ve probably heard that certain driving styles can extend the mileage gained from a tank of fuel, but did you know that teaching your drivers particular habits can optimise the range of your fleet’s electric vehicles?
Driver training assessments are conducted to help identify drivers’ needs and modules are automatically set depending on risk factors triggered by driver assessment scores. We take care of it all and our simple portal allows you to view all of your driver results and risk reports together, in one place.
Safety and beyond
The varied and far-reaching benefits of driver training include:
Fuel savings
Lower your fuel costs by as much as 15% through new driving methods that result in reduced consumption.
Claim reduction
Improve the safety of your drivers and their vehicles, reducing the number of incidents and claims.
Detailed insight
Our sophisticated reporting tool differentiates between low and high risk drivers using various parameters, compiling straightforward reports.
Grey fleet risk management
Both company vehicles and grey fleet are trained to drive safely, upholding your duty of care obligations.
To find out more about our driver training services, visit our driver training page here.
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