While the trucking industry has started embracing next-generation technologies that would make roadways safer, adoption has been spotty across the board-especially among smaller fleets. “The industry is starting to adopt more safety technologies, but there is still a long way to go before we see widespread implementation, especially in smaller operations,” says Solange Velazquez, managing director at Solomon Partners.
Some of the most striking innovations of late must be those regarding the usage of camera systems. Specifically, outward-facing cameras prove quite helpful in regard to claim management and also during accident investigations. “The outward-facing camera helps with claims when there’s an accident-let me tell you, it’s critical in determining fault and identifying areas for safety improvement,” Velazquez says.
But the real game-changer is the in-cab camera that faces inward, monitoring driver behaviour with the use of artificial intelligence. These systems detect distractions, such as texting or drowsiness, and provide real-time alerts to help drivers self-correct unsafe behavior. “These cameras can tell if a driver is nodding off or using their phone. They beep or alert the driver telling them to pull over or stop texting. Reducing distracted driving significantly lowers the chances of crashes,” says Velazquez.
Telematics also play an increasingly vital role in fleet safety. These systems, which track driving behaviors-like speeding, hard braking, and sharp turns-offer real-time feedback to drivers. According to Velazquez, that immediacy is a value add: “It’s easier to change behavior when you address it in real-time. Rather than telling a driver, days later, not to speed, telematics systems provide them immediate alerts, helping avoid risky behaviors then and there.”.
Despite these developments, deployment is highly uneven throughout the industry. Velazquez refers to a Penske report that says around 50% of fleets have implemented telematics solutions for fleet management, but often with only basic offerings and not with deep safety features included. “Even with mandated technology like the electronic logging device that helps with driver fatigue, it isn’t at 100% adoption. There is still a lag, and the small fleets are slower to implement the solutions,” she says.
Cost remains one of the major impediments, especially for smaller operators. While the price of technology has come down, some continue to resist investing in it. Velazquez believes financial incentives can help quicken the pace of adoption, particularly by offering reduced insurance premiums to companies that adopt safety technologies. “Insurance companies can play a big role in this. If they lower the premium for fleets that use driver cameras or real-time alert systems, it will make a lot of difference in the rates of adoption,” she notes.
For the health and safety leader in the trucking industry, this is all about integrating safety technologies into the greater business strategy. Velazquez says these tools should not be looked upon as compliance but as business investments worth having. “Safety professionals need to show the ROI of these technologies to upper management. By reducing accidents and improving driver retention-especially in a driver shortage-fleets can see real savings,” she advises.
While there has been progress, wide-scale adoption of next-generation safety technologies in the trucking industry requires additional effort. “The key to greater use of safety technology in transportation is finding ways to make safety part of the overall business strategy,” Velazquez says. “When businesses recognize the financial and operational reasons, adoption will continue to grow organically. It’s not about regulatory compliance; it’s about making the roads safer and taking better care of drivers.