Daily job schedules are forcing van drivers to take risks and putting them under stress, new research finds.
The study, conducted by TomTom Telematics, finds that almost a quarter (24%) claim daily job schedules always put them under excessive time pressure, while a further 23% say this is a regular occurrence.
As a result of time pressures, 50% of drivers say they are late for job appointments while 23% are caused to speed or drive less safely and 17% cut corners or spend less time on jobs. And 27% of drivers are regularly unable to complete daily job schedules.
The research also found only 28% of drivers regularly take their full, contractual lunch break and 39% say the stresses of the job have a negative impact on their personal lives.
Beverley Wise, director UK and Ireland at TomTom Telematics, said: “Increased staffing levels may not be an option for many businesses, especially in testing economic times, but technological aids can help to alleviate time pressures on drivers. Up-to-date traffic data and historic journey times provided by telematics can contribute to dynamic planning processes that ensure daily schedules are optimised. This means planning can account for expected congestion to help arrange jobs at times when its impact is minimised and ensure each job is allocated to the most appropriate driver.”
