Free CPD-Accredited Advanced Certificate Course Equips Fleet Safety Trainers with the Evidence-Based Tools to Tackle the Leading Cause of Commercial Fleet Crashes
Alison has launched a new CPD-accredited certificate course: Driver Distraction Prevention for Fleet Safety Trainers. This free advanced-level online course gives fleet safety trainers, driver safety managers, transport supervisors, and safety professionals the knowledge to build and deliver a distraction prevention programme that reduces crash risk, strengthens fleet safety management, and changes driver behaviour in ways that last — combining the latest research, the Safe System approach, proven policy frameworks, telematics, driver monitoring technology, and behavioural coaching. No cost, no barrier — just the practical expertise that keeps commercial drivers, other road users, and organisations safe.
The course addresses every dimension of the distracted driving problem: why crashes occur and why blaming individual driver error consistently fails to prevent the next one; how to assess and address distraction risks across a fleet using evidence-based methods; distracted driving policy design and implementation; ANSI/ASSP Z15.1 guidance for fleet operations; telematics and driver monitoring systems; in-vehicle safety technology; and the human side of fleet safety — coaching techniques, behavioural science principles, leadership approaches, and the safety culture factors that determine whether programmes deliver lasting results or fade after the first training session.
The Fastest-Growing Cause of Preventable Death on the Road
The World Health Organization reports that road traffic crashes kill approximately 1.19 million people every year — making road traffic injury one of the leading causes of death globally, and the leading cause for children and young adults. Among the contributing factors, distracted driving has grown significantly as a proportion of crash causation over the past decade, driven above all by the proliferation of smartphones and the normalisation of device use while driving. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has reported that at 55 miles per hour, taking your eyes off the road for just five seconds to read a message is equivalent to driving the full length of a football field with your eyes closed.
For commercial fleet operators, the risks compound dramatically. Fleet vehicles — delivery trucks, service vans, company cars, heavy goods vehicles — are on the road for more hours, under more pressure, and in more varied conditions than private vehicles. A single serious fleet crash involving injury can cost an organisation hundreds of thousands of dollars in direct costs alone, before accounting for legal liability, reputational damage, fleet downtime, and the human consequences for drivers, passengers, and third parties. Distraction is consistently identified as a primary or contributing factor in a significant proportion of these incidents — and yet many organisations continue to rely on outdated policies, generic training, and the assumption that telling drivers not to use their phones constitutes a distraction prevention programme.
It does not. Effective distraction prevention in commercial fleets requires a systematic, evidence-based approach that addresses technology, policy, culture, and human behaviour simultaneously. It requires fleet safety trainers who understand the research, can deploy the right tools, and know how to coach drivers toward lasting behaviour change rather than temporary compliance. That combination of skills has not been easy to access — until now.
From Policy to Practice: Building Programmes That Actually Work
Mike Feerick, Founder and CEO of Alison, stated: "Every fleet safety trainer who knows how to build a proper distraction prevention programme is potentially saving lives — not just for their own drivers, but for everyone sharing the road with them. This course puts that expertise within reach of safety professionals anywhere in the world, at no cost, so that 'we didn't have the training budget' is never again an acceptable reason for a preventable crash."
This launch adds to Alison's growing occupational health, safety, and compliance portfolio, reinforcing its mission to make advanced professional training freely accessible to practitioners everywhere.
To learn more or enrol in the course, visit: alison.com/course/driver-distraction-prevention-for-fleet-safety-trainers
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About Alison
Alison is a global leader in free online learning and skills development. With over 50 million registered learners across 193 countries (as of October 2025), Alison empowers individuals, communities, and organisations to upskill quickly and effectively – at zero cost.
The Alison platform provides immediate access to over 6,000 free, CPD-accredited courses, covering essential areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing, Project Management, Business Operations, Healthcare and Sustainability. Courses are created by a mix of independent experts and global leaders, including IBM, Stanford and Microsoft.
For organisations, Alison offers a Free Learning Management System (LMS) that enables unlimited learners to access thousands of courses with no upfront cost. A premium version with advanced analytics and customisation is also available. Alison's offering includes a full suite of assessments and psychometric tools, including a Workplace Personality Assessment, Mental Health & Wellbeing Assessment, English Language Proficiency Test, as well as Numerical, Verbal, and Abstract Reasoning tests.
To further support career development, learners also gain access to a Career Guide, a Resumé Builder, and the ability to study offline through the Alison App. The platform is also expanding its reach with multilingual versions, starting with complete Spanish, French, and Hindi offerings — reaffirming its mission to make education accessible to anyone, anywhere.
Founded in 2007, Alison pioneered the concept of free, large-scale online learning and is recognised as the world’s first MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) platform. Today, its mission continues: to break down barriers to learning, helping people gain skills, build confidence, and improve their lives — no matter where they live or what they earn.
