The longer drivers are behind the wheel, the higher the likelihood of an accident. As roads become more congested and drivers accumulate more miles, it becomes increasingly important to know how to avoid collisions and adapt to changing conditions.
This is especially true for pharmaceutical sales representatives, who spend more time on the road than most drivers and face the added challenges of time constraints and job demands.
A study published in the journal Occupational Medicine examined the health and safety concerns of pharmaceutical sales reps. The findings showed that due to the unique demands of their jobs, these drivers are at a higher risk of collisions compared to the general public.
The research revealed that pharmaceutical drivers in company vehicles had a 49% higher chance of being involved in an accident. It also concluded that effective training—focused on developing better driving habits—helps reduce the number of crashes each year.
A significant factor contributing to the increased risk of collisions is the higher-than-average number of miles pharmaceutical sales reps drive. While the typical American driver logs 12,000 to 15,000 miles annually, pharmaceutical fleet drivers often rack up an additional 8,000 to 10,000 miles. Every extra mile increases the chances of an accident, especially if drivers aren’t equipped with the right skills.
The study also highlighted several contributing factors to crashes for pharmaceutical fleet drivers, including:
- Risk-taking or aggressive driving
- Stress (from work or personal life)
- The use of medications like antidepressants, painkillers, and antihistamines.
Of course, common hazards for all drivers—such as distractions inside and outside the vehicle, fatigue, and changing weather conditions—also play a role.
The Right Rx for Pharmaceutical Drivers
For many pharmaceutical sales reps, driving is merely a means to an end—getting to sales meetings and making calls. Their primary focus is on business tasks, and driving is often secondary. However, the fast-paced nature of their work and the pressure of tight schedules lead many reps to multitask behind the wheel, which increases the likelihood of risky driving behaviors and accidents.
The study found that many collisions resulted from driver actions, rather than external factors like time pressure. This underscores the importance of addressing driving habits directly.
Creating Safer Drivers
Changing driving behavior isn’t an overnight process, and without the right training and tools, drivers will often default to unsafe habits. Improving safety behind the wheel starts with targeted driver safety training that identifies and addresses the behaviors that lead to dangerous driving.
The study on pharmaceutical employees showed that older drivers tend to be less risky behind the wheel, while younger drivers may take more chances. Men also tend to have more accidents—and more severe ones—than women.
Addressing individual driving habits helps drivers recognize and correct risky behaviors they may not even realize pose a danger to themselves and others on the road.
While any additional driver training will be beneficial, advanced behind-the-wheel training combined with ongoing eLearning follow-up has proven to be the most effective. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), implementing a robust driver training program is an effective way to reduce the number of accidents involving employees.
Such programs not only save lives, but also protect companies from the financial impact of accidents, including medical expenses, legal costs, and the loss of productivity. In fact, the National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that the cost of a single nonfatal on-the-job accident averages $40,000, while fatal accidents can cost more than 10 times that amount.
What to Look for in a Driver Training Program
With many options available for driver training, it’s essential to choose programs that are tailored to your industry. Companies with experience in sectors like pharmaceuticals will better understand the unique challenges your drivers face and provide solutions that address those specific needs.
