Dave Boorman is Fleet Telematics Manager at FM Conway, a UK-based family-run civil engineering contractor specialising in highways and other infrastructure work. With a fleet of more than 1,000 vehicles collectively travelling over 16 million miles a year, mitigating risk and improving driver safety are his number one priority. 

So, when their insurance company recommended investing in Samsara to address both these issues – and to reduce the cost of fleet insurance and payouts – FM Conway jumped at the chance. 

As a result, in just one year the business has seen a 22% reduction in the number of road accidents and reduced moderate speeding by 80%. Not only has safety improved across the whole operation, it’s delivered savings of £212,000 including a £155,000 cut in third-party insurance claims.

Such is FM Conway’s commitment to improving safety, it was recognised at Samsara’s 2024 Connected Operations Awards winning the Safest Operator category for its success in combining technology and driver coaching to help employees embrace a safer mindset. 

Here, Dave shares his top five tips for improving safety across a fleet. 

1. Technology isn’t a substitute for building a safety culture

Some people think that if you throw money at the problem and install technology then the problem is solved. But that’s not strictly true. Yes, the technology gives us sight of problems that we may not have known about – everything from erratic driving and speeding to mobile phone usage while behind the wheel. 

And yes, thanks to AI dash cams and in-cab alerts, the tech can warn drivers about these issues in real time to help prevent accidents. But that’s only half the story. 

The real impact comes from the data we receive – and how we react as a management team to address what the data tells us. That’s why the introduction of any technology must go hand-in-hand with a commitment from across the organisation to prioritise safety supported by tailored driver coaching. 

2. Tackle major safety risks first

Once you have visibility of issues, make sure you pinpoint exactly where your main problems lie, starting with the behaviours that contribute most to road traffic accidents – things like mobile phone use, inattentive driving, and speeding. By focusing efforts here, you can dramatically reduce incidents and see near-instant results. For instance, thanks to the visibility Samsara gave us, we cut mobile phone safety events from 100 a day to just two a week. This targeted approach allowed us to make a significant impact quickly, creating a safer environment for drivers and other road users.

3. Use driver investigation meetings as an educational tool

Of course, there are times when drivers need to be called in for a formal meeting. If that’s the case, don’t be afraid to escalate the matter to understand the root cause. We put a structure in place whereby every driver was treated equally and had the necessary representation and safeguards in place to ensure they were treated fairly. These meetings are conducted so we can better understand what’s happening on the ground so we can understand the root cause of any issues. 

4. Let drivers learn from each other

Communication is an important part of any safety programme. Being consistent with your messaging helps massively when you’re trying to undo negative behaviours. Obviously, that needs to come from the top of an organisation. But don’t overlook your drivers as well. Word travels fast among drivers and they can be a powerful conduit. By sharing experiences, it can greatly reduce the number of safety events.

5. Recognise that safety is a shared responsibility

Installing a safety culture isn’t just a case of reprimanding bad driving. Yes, that’s part of your tool kit. But any conversation – either an informal chat, coaching or investigation – needs to be a two-way street. For example, if mobile phone use happens because a driver doesn’t have the correct satnav in his vehicle, then it’s up to the company to supply that. Similarly, if people are becoming tired at the end of a long shift, they need to be encouraged to take regular breaks. 

These may seem like small adjustments – but they can make a big difference.

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