A new report from telematics provider Quartix has highlighted how business fleet data can uncover hidden hotspots for dangerous driving. Using anonymized data from its SafeSpeed database, Quartix pinpoints the UK’s worst roads for speeding, including the M6 Toll near Birmingham and the M61, based on the driving behaviours of fleet vehicles.
Fleet tracking tools are typically viewed as aids for cost savings, running salary sacrifice programs, and improving driver efficiency, Quartix’s findings reveal a broader role – identifying high-risk zones that may need intervention beyond just enforcement.
Fleet Data Reveals the UK’s Most Dangerous Roads
Fleet Data as a Tool for Public Safety
The SafeSpeed database from Quartix, originally designed to help companies improve driver safety within their fleets, has shed light on broader speeding trends, revealing that business vehicle tracking data could help authorities better understand where speed violations commonly occur.
Unlike police or government-collected traffic data, which might only capture specific incidents or rely on periodic monitoring, the aggregated information from Quartix covers continuous, real-time data from thousands of drivers on a daily basis. This vast data source provides insights into road sections where dangerous driving is the norm, often in areas that may lack regular traffic enforcement or monitoring.
For example, on the M6 Toll near Birmingham, Quartix reported that 46% of vehicles exceeded the 70mph limit between junctions T6 and T5. Similarly, on the M61 near junction 6, 40% of vehicles breached the speed limit. This data could help councils identify patterns and potentially implement solutions that go beyond reactive speed enforcement.
Turning Fleet Data into Action
For fleet managers, the insights provided by SafeSpeed go beyond simply knowing how fast a vehicle is traveling. Quartix’s system provides a “Relative Speed Score,” which compares a vehicle’s speed not only to the legal speed limit but also to the typical speeds of other drivers on the same stretch of road. This is particularly beneficial for businesses whose fleets operate on rural roads, where the legal limit might not be the safest option given conditions. With these insights, companies can:
- Target Training to High-Risk Areas: Knowing that certain roads have higher-than-average speeds allows fleet managers to implement specific driver training programs for those routes, emphasizing cautious and defensive driving.
- Enforce Safety Protocols: Quartix’s tools give fleet managers the ability to enforce stricter speed monitoring in known risk zones, reducing the likelihood of accidents and costly fines.
- Lower Fleet Costs with Proactive Management: By encouraging safer, more fuel-efficient driving on high-risk roads, businesses can cut down on both the direct costs of accidents and the indirect costs associated with vehicle wear and tear.
MORE> UK Speed limits
How Fleet Data Could Improve Local Road Safety
The implications of this fleet data reach into public safety improvements. Mark Cartwright, Head of Commercial Vehicle Incident Prevention at National Highways, emphasized the value of Quartix’s data, noting that such information allows a proactive approach to road safety: “Speed is a significant cause of collisions and certainly makes them more serious. Tools like Quartix can highlight areas where preventive safety measures may be needed.”
For instance, councils could consider adding clearer signage or introducing additional traffic-calming measures in locations with high-speed violations. Equally, the police could use Quartix’s insights to prioritize enforcement in specific areas, particularly those with known frequent speed violations but limited surveillance resources.
John is the Editor and Spokesperson for Electric Car Guide.
With over 20 years of writing experience, he has written for titles such as City AM, FE News and NerdWallet.com, covering various automotive and personal finance topics.
John’s market commentary has been covered by the likes of The Express, The Independent, Yahoo Finance and The Evening Standard.
