3 fleet safety products revolutionizing driver safety

Due to rising accident rates, increased in-cab distractions, and skyrocketing legal settlements, fleet managers increasingly see safety as not only a risk to their drivers, but also to their bottom line. In fact, a recent Frost & Sullivan report found that safety was the number one priority for 36% of fleet managers. 

Today, fleets are turning to various fleet safety technologies to reduce these risks. But with such a rapid pace of innovation, it can be difficult to keep up with new fleet safety technologies and decide what to implement for your business. From AI-powered dash cams to advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and driver coaching tools, new fleet safety technologies and safety equipment are developed every year. For fleet managers or CTOs looking to maximize their investment in 2025 and beyond, what fleet safety solutions are the most effective at reducing accidents and lowering costs? And how can you benefit from these vehicle safety technologies without implementing multiple new solutions?

Read on to learn about three fleet safety technologies that are revolutionizing commercial driver safety and public safety—and how they are all part of Samsara’s Video-Based Safety solution.

1. AI-powered dash cams

Video-based fleet safety technologies have evolved tremendously over the past decade. At first, dash cams were simple event recorders that captured footage until their storage was full. They required manually retrieving footage from a vehicle and downloading it to a computer. More recently, commercial dash cams became internet-connected, with the ability to auto-upload incident footage to the cloud, making it easier for fleet managers to review specific harsh events and coach drivers. 

Today, the most advanced dash cams, such as Samsara AI Dash Cams, use a combination of g-force sensor data and embedded artificial intelligence (AI) to detect a wide range of hard-to-detect incidents, like drowsiness and lane departure, and auto-upload incident footage to the cloud. With the ability to process data “on the edge” using advanced edge computing, Samsara AI Dash Cams even offer real-time, in-cab alerts to help drivers react to risk factors before an accident occurs. 

AI-powered dash cams represent the “latest and greatest” in video-based fleet safety technology. For many fleets, AI dash cams are one of the most accessible, affordable, and effective ways to introduce cutting-edge advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) features via an aftermarket solution, achieving significant safety improvements and cost savings.

What features do AI-powered dash cams offer?

AI-powered dash cams offer a wide variety of advanced driver safety features. For example, Samsara AI Dash Cams offer:

• Front-facing or dual-facing camera options

• Full HD 1080p resolution (720p for in-cab camera) for high quality footage

• Ultra wide-angle lens

• Infrared LED for in-cab recording at night

• Auto-uploaded incident footage

• On-demand video retrieval for up to 100 hours of past driving time

• Embedded AI for live scene analysis and object detection

• Built-in audio speaker for optional in-cab voice coaching

What are the benefits of AI-powered dash cams?

Why are fleet managers investing in dash cams equipped with AI? Here are just a few of the benefits of Samsara AI Dash Cams:

• Gain visibility into hard-to-detect events: 87% of all commercial motor vehicle crashes are the result of driver behavior or driver error, according to the NSTSCE. Advanced AI makes it possible to detect high-risk behaviors, like drowsiness and lane departure, without a harsh event occurring. Combined with in-cab alerts (which we’ll discuss more below), this makes it possible to minimize risky behavior and prevent accidents before they happen.

• Train, coach, and reward drivers remotely: With auto-uploaded incident footage and manager-led driver coaching workflows (more on this below), Samsara AI Dash Cams enable effective driver coaching at scale. Fleets with anywhere from a few drivers to thousands can build an effective safety program that’s rewarding for both drivers and the company.

• Avoid false claims and lower costs: In car-truck accidents, commercial trucks are only at fault about 26% of the time—but they get blamed far more often. Samsara AI Dash Cams auto-upload HD incident footage to the cloud within minutes. Combined with GPS tracking data from Samsara’s connected telematics device, this makes it easy to exonerate innocent fleet drivers, bypass lengthy claims processes, and eliminate unnecessary payouts—ultimately decreasing insurance costs.

What is the ROI of AI-powered dash cams?

Dash cams have been proven to reduce overall fleet operating costs and quickly pay for themselves. For example, here are just a few of the results our customers have seen after implementing Samsara AI Dash Cams:

• DHL achieved a 26% reduction in accidents across 20 sites where Samsara AI Dash Cams are fully deployed. “We’ve really moved from lagging metrics on safety to leading metrics,” said Jennifer Miller, Vice President of Integrated Transportation. “With Samsara, we're getting ahead of the behaviors that cause accidents.”

• Werner Enterprises achieved tremendous safety improvements since introducing Samsara AI Dash Cams to their team of 8,000+ drivers—notably bringing down their accident rate by 22% in 2023 with a 19-year low in DOT reportable accidents. Werner also saw a 20% decrease in harsh braking and a 50% decrease in harsh turns, ultimately contributing to their accident rate reduction. 

• Rasmussen achieved a 90% decrease in mobile usage while driving, 70% decrease in speeding and running stop signs, and 25% decrease in backup incidents with Samsara AI Dash Cams. With cloud-based video retrieval, Rasmussen is now easily able to exonerate not-at-fault drivers; after a recent incident, they exonerated a driver at the scene, saving an estimated $1.2 million.

2. In-cab alerts for unsafe driver behaviors

Another effective fleet safety technology is in-cab alerts, which are a feature of certain dash cam solutions. Some dash cams include built-in speakers that can play verbal and/or audio alerts when unsafe driving behavior is detected, like distracted driving, tailgating, or harsh driving. These in-cab alerts make it possible to provide real-time feedback to drivers to correct unsafe behavior—preventing accidents before they happen.

In-cab alerts can be an effective safety tool for commercial fleets, especially since they can be introduced as part of an aftermarket video telematics solution. This makes it possible to provide in-cab speed warnings and distracted driving alerts via an easy-to-install solution, without investing in new fleet vehicles that have built-in advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) features.

What are the benefits of in-cab alerts?

• Provide timely feedback to drivers: With in-cab alerts, you can coach drivers on near misses and risky behaviors (like distracted driving, tailgating, and more) in real time.

• Coach hundreds or thousands of drivers at scale: In-cab alerts make it possible to provide personalized coaching to many drivers while they’re on the road, helping large organizations coach hundreds or thousands of drivers consistently and effectively.

• Prevent accidents before they happen: 87% of all commercial motor vehicle crashes are the result of driver behavior or driver error, according to the NSTSCE. With in-cab alerts, you can provide real-time feedback to drivers to correct unsafe behaviors before they cause an accident.

What is the ROI of in-cab alerts?

In-cab alerts have been found to help increase safe driving and prevent accidents. 

For example, Samsara customer Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) relies on Samsara’s In-Cab Nudges to provide feedback in the moments that matter most, empowering drivers to self-correct risky behavior. As a result, MLGW reduced safety events by 100%. “With In-Cab Nudges, we give drivers two opportunities to correct themselves before an event is recorded,” said Timothy Bishop, Safety Supervisor. “We haven’t recorded a single safety event since January, which means that employees are responding positively to the coaching.” 

Similarly, Eurovia USA achieved an 80% decrease in unsafe mobile usage with Samsara’s Mobile Usage Detection and in-cab alerts. “We’re able to help drivers self-correct immediately using the AI Dash Cams,” said Ruby Dubay, Vice President of EHS and HR. “For example, if a driver picks up his phone or doesn't wear his seatbelt, there will be a beep to remind him to put his cell phone down or to buckle up. This means we can help drivers self-correct in real-time before a potentially costly incident occurs.”

3. Video-based driver coaching workflows

Along with improvements in dash cam technology, coaching tools for commercial fleets have evolved tremendously over the past few years as well. Now, advanced dash cam solutions provide web-based tools and reports for reviewing dash cam footage, coaching drivers, and tracking safety trends over time. Often part of a broader fleet management solution, these video-based driver coaching workflows make it possible to coach drivers consistently and effectively at scale.

What are the benefits of video-based driver coaching workflows?

Samsara offers an advanced video-based safety solution that combines internet-connected AI Dash Cams and cloud-based safety and coaching software to help safe fleets of all sizes reduce accidents, prevent false claims, and lower costs. Here are a few benefits of Samsara’s video-based driver coaching workflows:

• Streamline incident review: Dash cam footage is automatically uploaded, tagged, and available for review in minutes. With the Samsara Safety Inbox, you can organize, prioritize, and review dash cam footage easily across your fleet.

• Coach drivers with consistency: Ensure consistent coaching of all drivers—no matter the location, supervisor, or time. Step-by-step coaching workflows for safety managers enable consistent manager-led feedback and improve accountability.

• Track improvements over time: Identify risky driving practices and measure changes in your safety culture over time with driver scorecards and trend reports. Benchmarking data contextualizes performance and makes it easier to set goals.

• Build a positive safety culture: Gamified driver safety scores help foster healthy competition and make it possible to create a data-based driver safety rewards program. Dash cam footage of defensive driving can be used to celebrate drivers.

What is the ROI of video-based driver coaching workflows?

Video-based driver coaching workflows are proven to increase coaching consistency, accountability, and efficacy. Here are just a few of the results our customers have seen with Samsara’s video-based coaching workflows:

• AWP Safety points to Samsara’s driver coaching workflows as a key driver of their success in reducing harsh events by 75%, speeding by 74%, seat belt usage violations by 73%, and mobile phone usage by 81%—all while reducing driver turnover by 51%. "With Samsara, we've raised the bar for coaching," said Ludewig, citing a 38% improvement in coaching timeliness and a 75% increase in coaching effectiveness. "We drive positive behaviors with recognition and rewards, and address undesired behaviors immediately with more training, rather than being punitive."

• Chalk Mountain realized significant ROI from Samsara’s driver coaching workflows. Their safety team uses the Samsara Safety Inbox to proactively identify coachable moments and give drivers feedback using actual footage of themselves, fostering positive one-on-one coaching conversations with drivers. Easy-to-use driver coaching workflows and reports help Chalk Mountain ensure the timeliness, effectiveness, and accountability of their coaching efforts, coaching safety events within 3 days. As a result, they improved their CSA scores by 17 basis points and achieved a record milestone: 31 million miles without a DOT preventable accident.

Benefit from all these technologies with Samsara’s all-in-one Video-Based Safety solution

Samsara’s Video-Based Safety solution combines all of the fleet safety technologies above—AI Dash Cams, in-cab alerts, and driver coaching workflows—to help efficient fleets make measurable safety improvements, providing ROI in the moments that matter. Plus, with Samsara’s complete Connected Operations Platform, you can manage all your fleet operations within one dashboard—from fleet maintenance to DOT compliance—as well as equipment monitoring, site security, and beyond.

In a survey of more than 500 Samsara customers, 90% said Samsara’s Video-Based Safety solution has helped improve safety within their fleet. And many of our customers across both the private and public sector, such as the City of Allentown, have saved $1 million or more through their safety programs with Samsara.

To learn more about how Samsara can help your business make safety a competitive advantage, check out our Video-Based Safety solution and get in touch with our team today.