A survey by Teletrac Navman found that 70 percent of businesses have been impacted by distracted driving incidents, with  mobile phone use cited as the leading cause (68 percent). The effects are significant, with 49 percent of respondents facing  financial costs, 40 percent experiencing operational disruptions, 28 percent citing safety and compliance breaches, and 25  percent reporting reputational damage.

Distracted driving poses both human and commercial risks. In 2022, crashes involving trucks in New Zealand resulted in 62  fatalities, 208 serious injuries, and 727 minor injuries. These statistics highlight an urgent need to prioritise safe driving  practices in fleets.

To combat this issue, fleet operators are deploying technologies like telematics, forward- and driver-facing cameras, and  digital coaching apps, with 78 percent of businesses using such tools. Paired with coaching programs, these solutions are  proving effective, as 80 percent of users reported positive results. In total, 73 percent of respondents believe their strategies to reduce distracted driving are working.

Teletrac Navman CEO Alain Samaha emphasised the importance of fostering a safety-first culture: “Distracted driving  jeopardises lives and poses serious commercial risks, from insurance premiums to operational costs. Our goal is to provide  fleets with tools to enhance driver safety, well-being, and operational efficiency.”