Driving for Work: Mythbusters
52 common misconceptions – and the facts employers and drivers need to know
Myth 25: Some drivers will always have collisions – they’re just that type of person
The idea that collision involvement is a fixed personality trait – that some people are simply ‘accident prone’ – is not supported by evidence and is actively unhelpful.
It encourages fatalism and discourages investment in driver development.
While some individuals do present higher risk profiles, risk is shaped by training, experience, workload, fatigue, vehicle condition, time pressure, and organisational culture, all of which are manageable.
Treating repeat-incident drivers as a lost cause misses the opportunity to understand why the collisions are occurring and to intervene effectively.
Every driver can improve with the right support and the right environment.
Driver takeaway:
If you have had repeated incidents, ask for support rather than accepting them as inevitable. Understanding the pattern – the route, the time of day, the conditions – is the first step to breaking it.
Manager takeaway:
Investigate repeat-incident drivers to understand root causes rather than simply applying discipline. Risk is shaped by training, workload, scheduling, and culture, all of which are within the organisation’s control. Every driver can improve with the right support and environment.
