Using psychological frameworks to inform the evaluation of fleet safety initiatives

Abstract

Despite its importance, relatively little past research has investigated the effectiveness of fleet safety initiatives and their impact on drivers' attitudes and work-related driving outcomes within a strong theoretical framework. This study conceptualised the social-psychological processes underlying two fleet safety initiatives, and hypothesised that these processes could be used to explain the effects of the fleet safety initiatives on changes in attitudes. Twenty-four fleet managers participated in the study and the results suggested that the effectiveness of the fleet safety initiatives in changing fleet managers' attitudes toward the management of fleet safety could be explained through some of the processes underlying the persuasive communication and behaviour management frameworks. Finally, some implications for designing and improving fleet safety initiatives were discussed.