Fleet Driver Wellness as a KPI

Driver wellness isn’t just about health—it’s about performance, safety, and profitability. That’s why 74% of fleets offer a driver wellness program, unlocking real benefits like fewer accidents, better retention, and ROI that could soar as high as $6 for every $1 invested. This guide explains why wellness programs are important and how to ensure yours is delivering.

Problem: Fatigue causes accidents.

Driver fatigue is a major fleet safety risk—and it’s often underestimated. While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) attributes 1–2% of police-recorded crashes to tired drivers, a 2024 AAA Foundation study suggests the true figure may be nearly ten times higher.

Many drivers don’t realize when they’re tired. In a 2023 AAA study, 75% of those who said they felt alert actually showed moderate to high signs of drowsiness.

Wellness solution: Integrate technology and training.

AI-powered video telematics can detect signs of fatigue and distraction, issuing real-time voice alerts to prompt drivers to rest or refocus. These systems also flag risky driving behavior, such as distracted driving or cell phone use, and issue an immediate warning while allowing fleet managers to intervene before incidents occur.

Fleet drivers may feel threatened by the implementation of in-cab video, so it’s important to reassure them that this system will be used as a driver coaching aide, and not as a way to spy or punish.

A study for the Journal of Safety Research showed that pairing in-cab feedback with regular coaching is highly effective. During the study, fleets saw a 61% reduction in incidents when supervisors met weekly with fleet drivers flagged for severe video events. Coaching after the fact—rather than relying solely on automated alerts—helps change behavior for the long term.

For practical suggestions on how to introduce proactive and event-triggered driver training, download our 2026 Fleet Safety Trends white paper.

Problem: Driving is a stressful occupation.

In a 2023 study, 75% of truck drivers said their job is physically and mentally stressful; in a similar 2024 study of bus drivers, 100% reported occupational stress. And stress can be dangerous: 68% of drivers reported that work-related stress negatively affects their driving and 78% of drivers said that stress adds to road dangers.

Wellness solution: Offer coaching and support.

Supported drivers are less stressed—and safer. Programs that combine wellness resources with manager training improve day-to-day performance and retention. Fleets with wellness programs have reported 23.1% fewer hospital claims and 19.6% fewer disability issues.

Problem: Driver recruitment is increasingly difficult.

In the current economic climate, many fleets find navigating the driver recruitment process more difficult. According to Deloitte, replacing a single driver can cost up to $13,000.

Wellness solution: Happy drivers stay loyal.

Well-designed wellness programs—backed by manager training and real workload support—improve retention by reducing burnout and signaling organizational care; surveys show 4 in 5 workers seek employers that support mental health, and balance-focused cultures are far more likely to retain staff.

Explore the latest fleet safety trends.

Our new white paper on 2026 Fleet Driver Safety Trends offers the most up-to-date advice on the highest-leverage safety trends, plus specific tips for harnessing these insights to benefit fleets of all sizes.

Your driver wellness program—safer roads, stronger teams.

A truly effective driver wellness program is more than a check box exercise; it should encompass driver aids and technology, training, coaching, and mental health support. While that may seem like a lot, bear in mind that benefits can include:

• Fewer/less severe accidents
• Protection from liability
• Increased driver uptime/productivity
• Better driver retention
• A healthy return on investment

Mike Albert partners with fleets to design driver wellness programs that reduce accidents, increase retention, and deliver measurable ROI. Let’s build yours today.