With crashes on the rise, fleet owners are facing an increasing number of injuries and fatalities — both of which have long-term financial and reputational repercussions. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), large trucks were responsible for around 13.5 fatal crashes per million people in 2020, up 27% from 2010. The rising number of traffic accidents and fatalities stresses the situation's urgency — and fleet management is under increased pressure to safeguard their vehicles and drivers.
Despite this fact, many still rely on pen-and-paper safety strategies, although the industry experienced several significant technological leaps in the past few decades. GPS Insight, a fleet management software company, suggested that the culprit is a lack of adoption. According to the company’s 2022 safety report, 65% of safety personnel said driver training was a critical safety strategy, while 59% relied on written policies and procedures. Fleet managers and owners must move on from solely relying on these outdated interventions.
After all, drivers are only human. Even with advanced training and well-written policies, their well-being depends on their limited vision and restricted reaction times — and a split-second decision often determines the outcome of a life-and-death situation. Drivers’ chances of survival would be better if their vehicles were outfitted with cutting-edge safety solutions.
Technologies to use for improving safety
There are several aftermarket add-ons commercial fleet owners and managers could implement today to improve vehicle safety. Here’s a brief overview of several of them:
AI-powered insights
One way artificial intelligence can help supercharge fleet safety is through route optimization, which lets trucks reach their destinations faster, and maintenance workers spend less time fixing wear and tear due to more efficient routes. An advanced algorithm can analyze weather, traffic congestion, road work, and driver schedules, enabling real-time route planning.
A solution like AI is noteworthy since most businesses don’t have granular insights like these. While 80% collect fleet data, just 25% track metrics on a driver-specific level. A single advanced algorithm can provide immediate feedback and optimization for the entire fleet, and this technology’s rapid advancement shows no sign of stopping anytime soon. While most real-world applications are currently confined to integrations with existing aftermarket add-ons, they may quickly evolve.
Internet of Things sensors
Internet of Things (IoT) sensors can measure vibration, pressure, gas, fluids, and more on a vehicle, enabling predictive maintenance practices instead of reactive ones. Whether a bumpy rural road knocks a part loose or hydraulic fluid begins leaking through a hairline crack, sensors mean technicians can address the issue as soon as possible.
Avoiding unexpected equipment or system failures is beneficial for driver safety — and it also cushions companies’ bottom lines. In some industries, unplanned downtime can cost as much as $760 per vehicle per day.
Read more: What are the drivers of safety technology in heavy trucks?
Driver-optimized telematics
Advanced telematics systems can collect driver data, cataloging every occurrence of harsh braking, tailgating, or distracted driving. Drivers can view the information in a visual, actionable format, enabling instant behavior correction.
Collision avoidance systems
An advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) with collision mitigation capabilities can also help drivers avoid imminent traffic accidents by sounding warning alarms or applying the brakes. By doing so, this technology acts both as an intervention measure and a learning tool for drivers.
This is especially true because of how this solution can help address inattentive driving, which accounts for a considerable portion of crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, almost 5% of drivers in fatal traffic accidents experienced at least one distraction-related factor in 2021.
Tips for ensuring successful implementation
For many decision-makers, written policies and in-person training are standard — the only technological solutions their trucks have are the built-in systems they came with. However, incorporating a solution like AI, ADAS, or IoT does not have to be complicated. In fact, they have a higher chance of a successful implementation with strategic planning.
One aspect of this planning should be cybersecurity. Cybersecurity is a crucial consideration for any device that collects, stores, processes, or analyzes sensitive information, as even the most tech-savvy companies have been compromised by data breaches or attacked by malware. Management can protect their fleet, and the digital devices on them, from cyber threats by leveraging encryption, firewalls, and multifactor authentication.
Higher-ups should also consider developing governance policies to guide implementation and utilization, particularly regarding AI usage. A 2024 C-suite survey from a legal firm revealed that around 31% of executives don’t have a policy for this technology, but it’s essential to develop a clear framework of accountability for complex, emerging solutions that have the potential to boost fleet safety and productivity.
Looking to the future of fleet safety
The rapid pace of technological advancement may soon render today’s solutions outdated. This means prompt action is necessary — those in charge must act now to protect drivers and vehicles from preventable traffic accidents, regardless of how current trends shape the future of fleet safety. Risk-averse professionals should conduct a cost-benefit analysis to determine which solution best fits them.
