Fleet management software providers Verizon Connect have released research suggesting that 25% of UK commercial drivers are breaking regulations around rest and fatigue.

The Verizon Connect research involved asking fleet managers about the issues they faced, 24% of whom cited compliance as an issue. Meanwhile 23% said that unsafe driving practices bothered them and 13% said that drivers not taking enough rest was thew top issue.

According to the Verizon Connect research, two thirds of fleet managers have instituted systems to ensure drivers take the required breaks. 16% of them leave those breaks to drivers’ discretion however, while 15% ask drivers about the rest they take. A somewhat worrying 3% do not.

The research found that fleet managers spend more than three hours a week correcting and following up on drivers’ tachograph mistakes – adding up to nearly 21 working days, each year. When asked how they would prefer to spend this time instead, looking for ways to reduce costs was the most popular response with 39 per cent.

Derek Bryan, vice president, EMEA at Verizon Connect, said: “Simple systems can be put in place to cut down time spent on admin while ensuring compliance and driver safety. By integrating tachograph data with their fleet management system, organisations of any size can improve driver safety, compliance, and productivity. In doing so, managers reclaim time to focus on growing and improving the business.”