Every April, National Distracted Driving Awareness Month reminds us of the dangers that come from taking eyes off the road, hands off the wheel or focus off the task at hand. But for fleet operators, safety awareness can’t be confined to a single month. The stakes are too high.
Fleet managers have a unique opportunity – and responsibility – to shape safer driving behaviors across their teams year-round. Significant impact can come from building a culture of accountability, using data to drive conversations and creating systems that encourage safer decisions every day.
Here’s how fleet managers can go beyond awareness and take meaningful, lasting steps to address distracted driving – this month and every day.
Most fleets have policies in place about phone use, eating while driving or other forms of distraction. But enforcement is often where things can fall apart.
Rather than relying solely on rules, fleet managers should leverage telematics and driver behavior data to identify where risks are happening. Look for signs like erratic speed patterns, hard braking or frequent lane changes. These can indicate that a driver’s attention isn’t where it should be.
With connected solutions from MICHELIN Connected Fleet, you can track these behaviors in real-time and flag high-risk patterns before they lead to roadside incidents. You can’t manage what you can’t measure, so tools like this give you the necessary visibility to keep drivers accountable.
If a driver receives a speeding alert, was it on a downhill grade or in stop-and-go traffic? If there’s a pattern of harsh braking, is it related to distractions or unexpected traffic conditions? Raw data only tells part of the story. By integrating GPS tracking, road conditions and driver context, you can offer coaching that feels supportive.
MICHELIN Connected Fleet tools allow you to see these events in context – helping managers have smarter, more productive conversations. You see the where, when and why. Journey details and driver behavior data allow you to understand the full picture behind driving events, helping you guide drivers with clarity. This kind of insight turns feedback into a conversation, not a confrontation.
In-cab distractions don’t always come from cell phones. Sometimes, they’re paperwork, navigation struggles or unclear delivery instructions. The MICHELIN Connected Fleet platform reduces in-cab distraction by integrating route guidance, job dispatch and safety alerts into one streamlined experience. With fewer manual updates and smarter navigation, drivers can stay focused on the road and complete tasks efficiently without toggling between multiple systems.
A distraction-free cab is a more focused one. The right tech should remove friction, not add to it.
It’s easy to focus on incidents or violations, but near-misses on the road can also provide valuable insight. If a driver narrowly avoids a collision because they were adjusting a device or checking a message, that’s a red flag worth acting on. Some systems, like dashcams with AI capabilities, can detect distracted behavior even when it doesn’t lead to an incident.
Near misses can serve as a valuable training opportunity to help your drivers improve their skills behind the wheel with your help. Review footage, discuss alternatives and help drivers self-correct before anything worse happens.
Awareness months are great for sparking dialogue, but the message needs to live beyond April. Include distraction-related metrics in your monthly safety meetings. Rotate in new video clips or testimonials from drivers who’ve experienced close calls. Make it a regular part of your fleet’s communication, not just a seasonal initiative.
The MICHELIN Connected Fleet team can support you in these goals with reporting tailored to improving safe driving and reducing roadside incidents for your fleet.
Distracted driving isn’t just a personal problem – it’s a fleet-wide risk. But with the right tools, data and leadership approach, it’s a risk that can be managed.
From real-time alerts and increased visibility to post-journey reviews, MICHELIN Connected Fleet gives you the tools to manage distraction risk across every stage of your drivers’ trips. Our platform is designed to help you create safer habits and build a culture of responsibility long after April has passed.
Managing a fleet safely isn’t about reacting to roadside incidents; it’s about preventing them. Contact us today to discover how MICHELIN Connected Fleet can support you.