Driver behaviour and knowledge failing to keep pace with vehicle safety tech

Pictured (L-R clockwise): Abul Rahman, Steve Cocks, Ralph Morton, David Legg, Amanda Brandon, Chris Horbowyj

INDUSTRY experts, including Steve Cocks, Head of Broker at Lex Autolease, have highlighted a growing gap between in-vehicle safety technology and driver understanding.

The findings follow an industry roundtable hosted by i247 Group on 11 March at the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) headquarters in Amersham, Buckinghamshire. The event brought together experts from across the fleet ecosystem, including the Metropolitan Police, fleet funders, operators and suppliers, to explore how fleets can improve driver safety.

The panellists were:

Abul Rahman, Deputy Director Operational Support Services, Metropolitan Police & NPCC Vehicle Recovery Group – National Lead
Darren Lindsey MBA BEng (Hons), Chief Executive, The British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association
Amanda Brandon, Director of Member Engagement, BVRLA
Steve Cocks, Head of Broker, Lex Autolease
David Legg, Director of Propositions & Partnerships, i247 Group
Chris Horbowyj, Commercial Director, Targa Telematics UK
Oliver Thompson, Business Development Manager, Autoglass
Mel Mizen, Customer Operations Manager, Marshall Leasing
Dean Hedger, Key Account Director, i247 Group

The vehicle safety technology gap

The panel identified that while vehicle technology is becoming increasingly advanced, the benefits of safety technology, such as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), are not always realised thanks to a lack of driver understanding and education.

David Legg, Director of Propositions and Partnerships, i247 Group explained: “Modern vehicles are packed with technology, often featuring up to 70 different driver-assist safety systems. Drivers may not understand or have the knowledge to operate these effectively and the danger is that people turn safety systems off, because they find them annoying. There’s a direct line for fleets between safety and cost – the most expensive part of the vehicle isn’t the car, it’s the driver. Everyone talks about total cost of ownership, but the driver and driver behaviour often gets left out of the equation.”

Vehicle handover was highlighted as a critical area for improvement – delivery drivers often lack the time and expertise to explain vehicle technology, leaving drivers without a clear understanding of safety features. Data from a recent i247 Group poll* showed that just 7% of company car drivers received a thorough safety walkthrough at vehicle handover, while 52% were left to figure out vehicle systems themselves.

"From a road safety strategy perspective, one of the key areas we’re focusing on is the increasing use of in-vehicle technology. The government is consulting on where responsibility sits for maintaining these systems, whether drivers fully understand ADAS features, and if clearer legal definitions are needed. In particular, we’re considering which party in the chain is accountable for technology maintenance, and where liability lies if something goes wrong."

Amanda Brandon, Director of Member Engagement for the BVRLA Tweet

Driver behaviour, accountability and cost

Panellists emphasised that driver behaviour remains one of the most influential factors in fleet safety outcomes. Company car drivers were highlighted as a potentially higher fleet risk, compared with commercial van and heavy goods vehicle drivers who typically complete regular training and a set of vehicle roadworthiness checks before taking control of the vehicle.

Picking up on the theme of last October’s round table, linking total cost of ownership (TCO) to safety and showcasing potential bottom line cost savings was identified as an important way of encouraging organisations to be more proactive on driver safety.

“Economic pressures can sometimes lead individuals to delay or reduce spending on vehicle maintenance, which can increase safety risks on the road. These challenges can be particularly pronounced in sectors such as independent delivery services and the gig economy, where drivers often work to demanding schedules and tight deadlines. Such pressures may contribute to greater wear and tear on vehicles.”

Abul Rahman, Deputy Director Operational Support Services, Metropolitan Police Tweet

Proactive use of data

The role of telematics, data and proactive driver engagement were noted as key to reducing incidents and vehicle off-road time. Panellists agreed that fleet managers have a critical role to play in fleet safety and by using technology to intervene before an issue, such as a warning light, becomes a serious safety risk. Gamification and rewarding safe driving behaviours were identified as useful tools in further enhancing driver safety.

The panel concluded that improving fleet safety requires a co-ordinated, cross-industry approach, combining data, technology, driver engagement and clear accountability. A full report summarising the insights will be made available by i247 Group on its website shortly.

*Data based on a LinkedIn poll with 27 respondents conducted over 7 days in March 2026.