Sixty-eight percent of U.S. fleet professionals say that work-related stress negatively impacts their driving performance, while 86% believe road accident risks have increased in the last five years, according to a new Geotab study, that collected data between Dec. 20, 2024, and Jan. 10, 2025.

The findings highlight an urgent need for fleets to prioritize driver well-being, as they linked high stress levels to risky driving behaviors, with drivers under pressure to meet deadlines and navigate worsening road conditions.

“Our research shows a direct, and critical link between driver wellbeing and the overall performance of the transportation industry,” said Vik Sridhar, product leader at Geotab, in a related news release. “”The future of the transportation industry depends on a thriving workforce. Prioritizing driver support is a strategic necessity for carriers to attract, and retain drivers, leading to better business outcomes and safer roads.”

Key factors driving up accident risks

Mobile phone use while driving and poor driving by other drivers were cited as biggest concerns by 76% and 79% of the respondents, respectively. Seventy-one percent of fleet professionals say poor driving by others is a growing problem, while about a half of the surveyed professionals say excessive speeding is increasingly common. Just under 40% cite increased traffic congestion as a contributing factor to increased collision risks. But, a combination of traffic and road work was identified as an issue by 60% of respondents. Additionally, 26% of drivers admitted to regularly breaking speed limits to meet deadlines.

The study also noted the financial impact of unsafe driving, citing Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration data. The numbers show that the average cost of a large truck crash involving a fatality is US$3.6 million per crash.

Driver stress is also contributing to workforce instability, as 34% of respondents in the study said they’ve considered leaving their jobs in the past year. This, Geotab says, raises concerns about recruitment and retention in an industry already struggling with labor shortages.

High turnover rates are also costly for fleets, with research from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine showing that replacing a single driver can cost between $10,000 and $20,000. These costs add to financial pressures already exacerbated by rising trucking expenses, which reached an all-time high of $2.27 per mile in 2023.

This is why Geotab urges fleets to take a proactive approach in addressing driver stress, highlighting the role of advanced telematics, in-cab coaching, and mental health support in mitigating risks.

Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems, including lane departure warnings, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control, provide an extra layer of support, reducing stress and improving safety. Dashcams also play a key role in driver protection and training, offering video evidence to exonerate drivers and provide insights for coaching.

The report highlights virtual reality training as a tool to help drivers prepare for high-pressure situations in a controlled environment, improving confidence in handling emergencies. While fully autonomous trucks remain in development, semi-autonomous features like lane-keeping assist and self-parking can ease the mental load on drivers.