Nearly one in five business drivers struggle to concentrate when worried about running late
Ahead of Brake's Road Safety Week (15 to 21 November), Venson Automotive Solutions is urging employers to review how they schedule work journeys. Its surveys of business drivers found 19% feel more stressed and struggle to concentrate when worried about running late, 28% say frustration in traffic leads to harsh braking or tailgating, and 15% admit to zoning out at the wheel. It sets out five steps, from realistic schedules to taking calls only when parked. The press release is published below as supplied.
Venson urges employers to use Road Safety Week to review their driving for work policies
Ahead of Brake’s Road Safety Week (15–21 November 2026), Venson Automotive Solutions is urging employers to review how they schedule journeys and communicate with employees who drive for work. This year’s campaign, Safe People on the Move, highlights how the choices people make on the road can help protect everyone who uses it. Brake’s figures show that five people die on UK roads every day and nearly one in three road deaths involve someone driving for work[i].
With 59% of business drivers saying they are travelling more for work than a year ago[ii], the pressure on those behind the wheel is growing. Venson research found that almost one in five (19%) feel more stressed and struggle to concentrate when worried about running late, while 28% said frustration in traffic leads them to bad driving behaviours such as harsh braking or tailgating[iii]. Fatigue and distraction are also a concern, with 15% of drivers admitting to “zoning out” at the wheel, losing track of part of their journeyiii.
Simon Staton, Client Management Director at Venson Automotive Solutions, says: “State of mind is a critical element to drive safely. But instead of being calm, relaxed and alert many company car and van drivers are stressed and that can manifest itself in accidents. Employers have a legal duty to manage on-the-road work activities so a robust duty of care policy should include practical support such as driver training and helping with journey planning. Most importantly drivers need to feel that they can focus on the job at hand, which is to get to their destination safely.”
Five practical ways employers can reduce stress and distraction on work journeys:
- Set realistic schedules. Allow time for traffic, roadworks, rest breaks and each stop. Move flexible appointments outside peak hours where possible.
- Agree a plan for delays. Drivers should report delays once safely parked. Decide who will update customers or rearrange appointments.
- Cut distractions. Ask drivers to set their route and silence notifications before leaving. Keep work calls and messages, including hands-free calls, for when safely parked.
- Make it easy to speak up. Encourage drivers to raise concerns about workload, stress or fatigue. Back them if they are too tired to continue safely.
- Learn from near misses. Ask whether tight schedules, missed breaks or work calls played a part, and use the feedback to improve journey planning.
With the Department for Transport developing a National Work-Related Road Safety Charter and planning a pilot, which 57% of drivers surveyed by Venson support[iv], the fleet management expert is encouraging employers to use Road Safety Week to review their Driving for Work policies. By working together with drivers, HR, fleet teams and health & safety managers the day-to-day pressures that distract drivers can be discussed and addressed. Brake’s employer webinar on 18 November will explore how stress can affect concentration at the wheel, alongside practical ways to tackle distraction and fatigue.
Sources
Venson Automotive SolutionsHow THRIVE sources and checks its stories · Corrections, and how to report an error
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