Netradyne announced the results of its recent survey to better understand the key challenges and goals that small and medium businesses (SMBs) face in today's complicated climate. Netradyne surveyed 503 decisionmakers of small and medium businesses (SMBs) with fewer than 1,000 employees and commercial fleets consisting of five or more vehicles.

The study's results highlight significant challenges around building affordable and effective safety programs, financial and cost-saving initiatives, road risks, and driver safety concerns. Fieldwork took place from September 21-28, 2022.

Top 2022 Netradyne Research Results

Of the results, a few items topped Netradyne's list: roads, driver safety, and costs. 

1. Road Risks Have Decisionmakers Worried Sick

Managing people can be challenging, and the stakes are much higher when your employees and company vehicles are out on the road. Poor judgment in the office can lead to reduced profits, embarrassing slip-ups, or productivity losses from rectifying mistakes. Bad decisions on the road could result in all three consequences, with the added risk of personal injuries.

Drivers are any fleet's greatest assets; an SMBs productivity and profitability can hinge on the behavior and performance of those behind the wheel.

2. Driver Safety is Top of Mind for 53% of SMB Fleets:

• 53% are thinking of safety issues proactively — before they happen, and 44% think about safety issues all the time.

• 95% claim that they trust their drivers; however, well over one in two, or 56%, believe their drivers unintentionally engage in risky behaviors on the road.

• Many decision-makers worry about their drivers' safety and distracted drivers sharing the road with their vehicles.

• 77% consider smartphone usage on the road by other drivers to be a threat to their drivers.

3. Widening Safety Measures and Financial Safety Nets

Better driving behavior makes good financial sense. Findings suggest that most decision-makers admit that losing just one vehicle in the fleet would be devastating to the business, hinting that many business decision-makers managing fleets are one bad accident away from going out of business. Smarter driver safety solutions enable decision-makers to save money by reducing risk and fuel costs.

Top Fleet Financial Concerns

It's no surprise that financial concerns are top of mind for SMBs with fleets, especially with fuel costs at the highest in history.

• 100% of SMB decision makers surveyed express an interest in technology that can save on fuel costs, with 49% saying they are extremely interested in technology that can save on fuel costs. But nearly half, or 49%, have run out of ideas to reduce fuel costs.

• 66% say they make financial decisions based on immediate needs instead of strategic protection.

• Almost all, 96%, indicate some concern about securing financing to expand their fleet, with well over a third, or 36%, indicating they are extremely concerned about securing funding to expand their fleet.

• Importantly, 63% claim that losing just one vehicle in their fleet would be financially devastating.

• 91% think their fleet would benefit from an A.I. safety solution that can assess speed, traffic sign compliance, and distracted driving while alerting drivers of risky driving behavior with real-time positive driving notifications. Four in five, or 85%, would consider purchasing that type of AI-based safety solution if the investments were just over $1 (one dollar) per day.

Smarter Safety Solutions

There are smarter ways to reinforce safe driving behavior than imposing fines or reluctantly addressing risky driving behaviors. Investing in smart tech such as A.I. driving solutions can make ensuring driver safety and saving money a breeze.

It's no surprise that SMB leaders wear many, if not most, of the hats in the company, including coaching drivers.

• 89% consider themselves a driver safety expert, and over half, 51%, say they are coaching their drivers very frequently or all the time.

• More than four in five, or 82%, wish drivers had a virtual driving coach. Decision makers are more often 58% aversive to addressing negative behaviors, with 55% preferring to address positive behaviors and 3% preferring to address neither positive nor negative behaviors. The 10% who don't choose to address negative driver behavior would rather eat glass than address negative driving behavior.

• 69% have considered imposing monetary fines to address negative driving behavior.

• 93% would be willing to invest in more smart technologies that can save work/time through automation.

Curious about Netradyne's solutions, fleets that are leveraging their product with real-world safety benefits, or just want to stay up-to-date on news and alerts related to truck and van fleet management? Register for Bobit Connect today!