New Data Shows 21% Increase in Friday Speeding This Month
Spring break is often seen as a time for relaxation, but for a new fleet manager, it should be a time for high alert. It isn’t just college students hitting the road; it is millions of families and travelers who are often tired or driving on unfamiliar routes. A brand-new analysis from AAA and Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) shows a massive surge in risky driving during the last two weeks of March. For those in charge of a fleet, this data is a loud wake-up call to tighten up safety talks.
The Dangerous Friday Rush
The data from CMT shows that speeding is not spread out evenly through the week. While weekday speeding surges by more than 10% during the afternoon commute, the real danger happens as the weekend begins. The single largest spike in speeding occurs at 6:00 p.m. on Fridays. During this window, speeding jumps by a staggering 21.2% compared to normal weeks. This “perfect storm” is caused by drivers who are rushing to get their vacations started or workers who are tired and pushing hard to get home.
Distraction Doesn’t Sleep at Night
While speeding is the biggest afternoon threat, distracted driving takes over once the sun goes down. The report found that phone use increases by 2% to 4% between 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. every day during the spring break period. Even a small increase in distraction is dangerous at night when visibility is already low. NHTSA data shows that while speeding is a factor in 10% of all crashes, it jumps to 30% for fatal crashes. Adding phone use to high-speed nighttime driving is a recipe for a disaster that your fleet cannot afford.
Coaching Your Team for the Season
As a fleet professional, you should use these specific numbers to coach your drivers. It is one thing to tell a driver to “be safe,” but it is much more effective to tell them that Friday at 6:00 p.m. is the most dangerous hour of their week. Remind them that even small increases in speed significantly raise the chance of a wreck. Encourage them to plan for extra traffic and to put their phones in “Do Not Disturb” mode before they put the truck in gear.
Focus on Productivity Over Speed
It is always better for a load to be thirty minutes late than for a vehicle to end up in a ditch. Speeding might save a few minutes, but it also ruins fuel economy and increases wear on tires and brakes. Remind your drivers that being a “pro” means staying calm when everyone else on the road is rushing. By staying focused and keeping a safe following distance, your drivers can navigate the spring break madness and make it home safely.
Source: CMT Official Press Release Source: AAA Travel Safety Report
