More Collisions Occur at Speeds Below 5 MPH More Than at Any Other Speed
Lytx, a global provider of video telematics, analytics, productivity, and safety solutions for commercial and public-sector fleets, recently shared new data showing driving speeds most associated with collisions or near-collisions.
- 20% of recorded collisions and 12% of recorded near-collisions in private and public sector fleets occur at speeds below 5 mph.
- On average, private and public-sector drivers are involved in collisions 3.8 times more often at speeds below 5 mph than at any speed between 6 and 80 mph.
- On average, there are twice as many near-collisions at speeds below 5 mph than at any speed between 6 and 80 mph.
These findings align with figures from the National Safety Council indicating more than 50,000 collisions occur in parking lots and garage structures annually — resulting in 500 or more fatalities and over 60,000 injuries.
“The prevalence of collisions at lower speeds highlights how important it is for drivers to be vigilant about safety from the moment they first turn on the ignition,” says Del Lisk, vice president of safety services at Lytx. “It is equally vital for fleet managers to know when their drivers are at the greatest risk of being involved in a collision, whether it’s while driving at parking lot speeds or on the highway.”
Lytx’s data also showed the three top risky behaviors observed in events that occur under 5 mph: improper mirror use was the top associated risky behavior, followed by driver unbelted and handheld cell phone use.
“Many times, drivers become complacent and less vigilant when they are operating at a slow speed – they can pick up their phone or forget to check their mirrors,” adds Lisk. “We’ve also found that if a driver is operating a vehicle while unbelted, they tend to be more careless or will engage in other potentially risky distractions, such as eating, drinking, smoking, or using another device, intensifying the need for coaching and behavior change.”
For more information, visit www.lytx.com.
