Attracting new drivers is still a major cause of concern for many commercial fleets. 55% of HGV drivers are now aged between 50 and 65, which means that a significant proportion of the workforce will retire in the next decade. This is prompting operators to consider how they can attract new generations of driver. One major priority for younger demographics is wellbeing – both physical and mental – so fleets need to make sure they are able to meet this need.
Ensuring driver wellbeing is not straightforward. The nature of the job is sedentary and can at times be lonely, with drivers away from home for long periods of time. This can have an impact on mental health, with a survey carried out by Lytx® and Webfleet showing that 63% of fleets report high or moderate stress levels. There is also the very real concern about staying safe out on the road, and this includes everything from avoiding crashes and collisions, to drivers worrying about wrongful accusations when they are not at fault.
Technology is helping to address this. Where HGV drivers 30 years ago would have had almost nothing in the cab, those starting their careers now have access to technologies that can not only improve safety, but can also help with coaching, personal development and overall mental health.
The in-cab AI assistant – Intelligent video telematics technology is helping to keep drivers safe. Using artificial intelligence, the technology combines information from machine vision to detect whether a driver is displaying signs of risky driving. This proactive approach means drivers can be alerted of risks in real-time and adjust their behaviour. By investing in technology that can coach drivers in the moment, operators can proactively demonstrate that they are working to proactively address risk and prevent incidents from occurring.
Ongoing coaching and support – Insights gathered by these technologies can also help guide coaching sessions, encourage open discussion, and help drivers understand where small behavioural changes can reduce the likelihood of an incident occurring. This is evident in our 2025 Road Safety Report. For every 100 coaching sessions undertaken, 73 resulted in the behavior not being repeated over the next two months. This support is essential for younger drivers who place a much higher value on manager relationships and want space to discuss opportunities for progression and development.
Mental health – In the same way that data can be used to inform coaching, it can also help managers to identify when HGV drivers might be experiencing stress or other mental health concerns. This is especially important when considering that over half (55%) of drivers feel uncomfortable approaching their employer for support. Insights gathered from video can help alleviate this by alerting managers to any unusual or out-of-character behaviours. Perhaps someone with a near-perfect record is suddenly speeding or is repeatedly distracted, for example. This information can prompt operators to take a closer look and start a conversation to understand if there are any wider, underlying issues or concerns that are causing upset or stress.
Transparency and trust – Showing drivers how data is gathered and used is vital to building trust. One of the most effective ways I have seen this done is when managers physically show drivers what they see from the in-cab video and walk them through how that information is used. This creates an open dialogue between driver and manager where questions can be asked, and doubt removed. This is also an opportunity to demonstrate how footage has benefitted drivers, including exonerating them from wrongful blame.
Fleets that implement technology to address issues that matter to a younger workforce – including safety, wellbeing and personal development – will find themselves winning the race for talent. But they’ll also discover other benefits. When fleets are safer, they are also more cost efficient, more productive, and more sustainable. That’s a win-win for everybody.
Author: Oliver Temple, Channel Sales Leader EMEA+APAC, Lytx
