Photo by lilartsy on Unsplash 

Experience is often considered one of a driver’s greatest assets. Long-time fleet drivers have spent years developing the skills, instincts, and practical knowledge that they rely on during every trip. While this hands-on expertise is undeniably valuable, it can also mask dangerous, deeply ingrained habits and mistaken ideas about what it means to drive safely. 

When Experience Becomes a Blind Spot 

Complacency often grows out of overconfidence, and it can leave even the most seasoned drivers vulnerable to preventable collisions. After years on the same roads, many experienced drivers begin to assume that traffic patterns, the behavior of other road users, and road and weather conditions remain largely consistent from trip to trip, even though those conditions are constantly changing. When drivers rely on familiarity rather than active attention, they become slower to recognize sudden hazards and react in critical situations. 

“...complacency can cause good driving behaviours to fade into poor driving habits.” (Road Safety at Work) 

At the same time, drivers who regularly engage in risky behaviors but have never been involved in a collision may wrongly attribute their record to skill rather than chance and conclude that their habits are safe. Over time, near misses are often dismissed instead of treated as warnings, and risky behaviors persist or increase. This lowered perception of risk leads experienced drivers to underestimate the dangers of common crash causes such as speeding and distracted driving, which threatens the safety of both themselves and other road users. 

The Limits of Once-a-Year Training  

Driver training is one of the main tools fleets use to address these unsafe habits, but traditional programs are often not designed to counter complacency over the long term. Most training takes place as a one-time or annual event, so lessons are seldom reinforced, and remedial sessions only come after the damage is already done. Since a single session can only cover so much, these programs rely on high-level overviews of essential skills and hazards, rather than focusing on unique risks individual drivers face. Without frequency or specificity, training often fades from memory and offers little help to drivers when risky situations actually arise.  

“... while initial training remains an essential foundation to safer roads and employees, it rarely delivers long-term behavioural change on its own.” (Michelin Mobility Intelligence)  

Staying Sharp Behind the Wheel  

Ongoing training, on the other hand, helps counter complacency by keeping safe driving a regular part of a driver's routine. Testing drivers on key competencies at regular intervals keeps them engaged and prevents good habits from gradually slipping into careless ones. 

"Consistent training keeps safety top of mind and supports the development of defensive driving attitudes that may help prevent accidents before they happen."  (Markel)  

alertdriving offers training programs that educate and assess drivers consistently throughout the year, so they are continually challenged to learn and improve. With our microlearning lessons, drivers aren't overwhelmed by training content or pulled away from their busy workday. Each lesson is quick and focused, covering only what drivers need to know and delivering it in a way that's easy to remember and apply. Programs can target fleet-specific collision causes or be customized to individual driver behavior, ensuring every driver receives the most relevant training to help keep them and others safe.  

Experience is an asset, but it's most effective when paired with the awareness that ongoing training provides. By challenging the assumptions behind complacency, fleets can help even their best drivers stay sharp on every trip. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your fleet’s long-term learning and safety.  

Sources:  

https://mobilityintelligence.michelin.com/en/why-ongoing-driver-coaching-is-more-effective-than-one-off-training/ 

https://www.markel.com/insights-and-resources/insights/why-driver-training-is-important 

https://bayandbay.com/news/2026/02/27/complacent-driving-the-hidden-risk-on-the-road/ 

https://roadsafetyatwork.ca/resource/tool-kit/driver-orientation-and-training/