As more employees return to the office and traffic volumes rise across the U.S., today’s company drivers face increasingly hazardous roadways.

New research from Nationwide shows that most company drivers routinely dodge distracted motorists on their work routes. Still, many also confess to risky behaviors themselves behind the wheel that could lead to dangerous and costly accidents.

Still, that self-awareness doesn’t quiet their fears. About 70% of company drivers say they worry about being killed or hurt in a collision or being held liable for the damages.

State of the Roadways

• 89% of company drivers rate their driving as good or excellent, but less than 60% say the same of other drivers on the road.

• At least 1 in 5 company drivers (21%) admit to being frequently distracted while driving for work — the most common distractions being GPS systems, cell phone use (calls, texts, social media), eating or drinking, and adjusting their radio or music.

• But it’s not just them: compared to a year ago, company drivers think other motorists are using their phones more behind the wheel (69%) and driving faster (66%) and more aggressive (70%) today.

• Employees may also feel work pressures: 53% regularly take work phone calls, and roughly a quarter are reading/responding to work texts (28%) or emails (24%) while driving. Another 40% are frequently taking personal phone calls behind the company wheel.

Staffing Shortages and Safety Effects

Staffing shortages likely contribute to drivers’ challenges, leading to heavier workloads and heightened safety concerns, as 4 in 10 drivers say their company is struggling to hire or retain qualified drivers.

This year’s data revealed a 10-point jump across the board in drivers who say staffing shortages have increased their workload (72%), required them to work longer hours (71%), made it harder to meet deadlines (57%), decreased the quality of training (54%) and reduced the focus on safety and compliance (49%).

• 48% also report that their employer has reduced hiring criteria due to talent shortages.

• Most concerning, 41% of drivers say the staffing shortages have negatively impacted their driving.

Increased Use of Dashcams and Hands-Free Policies

Many employers are adopting proactive measures to minimize dangerous behaviors and phone distractions among fleet drivers, but there are still opportunities to enhance safety initiatives further.

Implementing dashcam requirements and hands-free driving policies have grown significantly in the past 12 months, but enforcement of those policies vary.

• 84% of company drivers have a dashcam installed in their work vehicle. This 29-point year-over-year increase signals a growing commitment to improve driver behavior, reduce liability, and improve fleet safety.

  • Nearly two-thirds (65%) say their employer requires a dashcam (+27 points), while a quarter say they’re just encouraged, and 10% don’t feel pressured to use one.

• 44% of company drivers report that their employer enforces a hands-free driving policy and monitors their cell phone usage while driving – a 10-point increase from last year.

  • 24% have a hands-free policy but don’t monitor cell phone usage

  • 22% do not allow cell phone use at all while driving

  • 10% don’t have any form of policy or monitoring in place

• 71% also report their employer uses continuous motor vehicle record monitoring, such as SambaSafety.

“The sharp rise in dashcam usage and hands-free policies sends a clear message: employers are serious about tackling distractions and protecting their drivers,” said Mark McGhiey, risk management and client services leader at Nationwide.

“With at least 1 in 5 drivers admitting to frequent distractions behind the wheel, and the industry’s belief that this number may be even higher, it’s clear that policy alone isn’t enough — consistent driver engagement and training is crucial to turning these efforts into safer roads for everyone,” McGhiey said.

Training Can Help Ease Concerns

With collision concerns at the forefront of their minds, 69% of company drivers fear a crash will affect their employer’s reputation or future job prospects. About 1 in 5 (19%) also say their employer has faced legal action due to a driving-related incident. 

While 87% feel their management prioritizes driver safety, 8 in 10 also wish for more training to help prevent accidents.

Most employers offer training around critical driving safety topics, but at least 3 in 10 do not:

• Driving in adverse weather – 69%

• Distracted driving – 67%

• Preventing accidents and collisions – 67%

• Proper following distance – 65%

• Drowsy and fatigued driving – 61%

“In today’s challenging driving environment, it’s essential to have a comprehensive fleet safety program that ensures qualified and attentive drivers,” said McGhiey. “Enforcing hands-free policies and mobile phone monitoring, along with leveraging technologies like fleet telematics, can significantly reduce risky and dangerous driving habits. And when drivers see their employers taking proactive steps to reduce accidents through technology, policies, and training, they may feel more protected — and more likely to stay.”