Nine out of 10 companies will have back-to-office policies by the end of 2024 (Human Resource Director). Amazon also recently announced that all employees must work from its offices five days a week starting in January 2025.

More people coming into offices, even if it’s just a few days a week, equates to more cars on the road. According to a recent Traffic Volume Trends report from the U.S. Department of Transportation, travel on all roads and streets changed by +1.2% for July 2024 compared with July 2023, which will likely dramatically increase in 2025.

With more people on the roads comes an increased risk of accidents, especially for fleet, truck, and field service drivers.  

According to Lytx’s 2024 State of the Data report — which tracked 40 billion miles of new driving data from 2023 and identified heightened levels of risk on the roads — afternoon commute hours were three times riskier than morning commute times. The report also shows that the safest time to drive was during the morning hours from 5-8 a.m., and notes that airports and convention centers are hot spots for accidents, meriting more caution in these areas.  

With this data in mind, how can fleet owners and managers navigate busier roadways and best support their drivers as 2025 nears? How can drivers be better prepared to navigate routes and deliveries with more cars on the road?

The answer is more strategic planning and technology. Below are some tips that fleet operators can apply now to prepare for the new year with more drivers on the roads.

Pre-Trip Planning is Key

Knowing that afternoon commute times are riskier than morning commute times, fleet managers should help drivers plan routes that maximize the morning hours in riskier areas.

Fleet managers need to pinpoint areas where traffic is notoriously bad or intersections that pose a high risk so they can plan for the influx in traffic next year once people are back into their commuting routines.

Beyond the Map: Leveraging Fleet Management Tools

It’s vital to arm today’s fleet drivers and field services drivers with the latest GPS tools to obtain real-time updates to avoid congested routes and road hazards that will delay their deliveries.

The newest fleet tracking software enables managers to optimize drivers’ routes and schedules based on traffic data, vehicle location, weather conditions, etc. These tools greatly enhance fleets’ overall efficiency and eliminate the guesswork of what roadways will be more congested with back-to-office mandates.

Since peak commuting times can’t typically be avoided, fleet dash cams combined with machine vision and artificial intelligence (AI) can help drivers identify and manage risks on busier roads.

For example, when entering areas known to be busier and more accident-prone, such as airports, in-cab platforms provide drivers with real-time alerts and re-routing options that can keep their fleet vehicles and other cars on the road safe.

Preparing Fleet Drivers for Traffic Challenges

With more traffic and cars on the roads and without a plan, fleet drivers will likely encounter unexpected “roadblocks” that can cause stress and fatigue.

However, when drivers have a solid strategy, they are more likely to stay calm and focused in congested areas, knowing they have accounted for traffic and possible delays along their route.

Staying cool and calm in traffic is a mental game, so giving drivers the right tools to prepare and plan for more road traffic is critical. For example, fleets should start building awareness campaigns about the expected rise in traffic toward the end of the year to help drivers mentally prepare.

It’s also important for coaches to reinforce defensive driving skills, as they will be a key differentiator for drivers battling traffic and more cars on the road.

Proactive Driver Coaching for a Safer Commute

Now is the time for fleet managers to get ahead of back-to-office rush hours. Implementing driver coaching programs now will help fleets prepare their drivers for the changes in traffic patterns in the new year and provide them with tools and tips to get through stressful situations.

Identifying common distracted driving culprits and putting coaching sessions behind them can help drivers avoid them altogether. Data from pre-pandemic commute times can help managers predict where roads will be more congested, which can be used in coaching exercises.

As more companies announce their return-to-office policies and traffic on the roads increases, fleet operators and drivers must prioritize strategic planning and utilize modern technology.

By recognizing higher-risk times and leveraging tools like GPS, AI, and real-time traffic and weather data, fleets can navigate more safely and efficiently, minimizing delays and accidents. Preparing for the influx of commuters will protect drivers and cargo and improve overall operational efficiency, helping businesses meet the demands of 2025 and beyond with confidence.