Commentary by Luke Olsen, Managing Director APAC at Microlise

Heavy vehicle crashes are on the rise, and it’s not hard to see why. With more trucks on the road than ever before, driven by booming freight demand and pressure to meet tighter delivery windows, the risks are increasing.

According to Transport for NSW, between 2019 and 2023, there were 4,650 injuries from heavy truck crashes, averaging 930 injuries per year. This includes 1,301 serious injuries, averaging 260 serious injuries per year.

As we approach Road Safety Week 2025, this is a timely reminder for all fleet managers to review their policies and encourage safer driving practices among staff.

The Australian Government’s Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program (SLRIP) is a welcome step forward, with $200 million committed annually to improving road conditions and rest stop infrastructure.

Since applications opened in 2023, several projects have already received funding, including Western Sydney’s first dedicated heavy vehicle rest area.

But safer roads alone won’t solve the problem.

To truly shift the dial on road safety, we need to pair infrastructure investment with smarter in-vehicle and planning technology. Telematics and real-time safety tools provide the visibility operators need to reduce risk, support their drivers, and meet their Chain of Responsibility obligations.

Smarter route planning, better data, and reduced pressure on drivers. These are the levers that will help deliver safer outcomes across the industry.

The key challenges organisations face in improving safety

Driver safety is a constant balancing act. Fatigue management is a major challenge, ensuring drivers remain compliant with fatigue regulations and aren’t pushed to breach hours to meet tight SLAs. Distraction is another rising concern, with mobile phone use and even eating or drinking while driving posing serious risks, yet often going undetected without the right technology.

Speed compliance also creates headaches, especially as frequent speeding infringements or mobile phone use can cost a driver their licence and worsen the existing driver shortage. Without visibility, businesses are flying blind on safety.

How technology is improving driver safety

Technology gives operators the visibility and tools to actively monitor and improve driving behaviour. We’ve seen fleets reduce overspeed events significantly, while safety cameras and driver distraction alerts can instantly intervene to correct risky habits. In one case, deploying distraction-detection technology led to an 85% drop in distraction events, a direct link to reducing road incidents. When 65% of all road accidents involve distraction, the safety and bottom-line ROI of smart telematics is crystal clear.

Advanced in-cab driver distraction monitoring, like the ClearVision system, plays a huge role. Instant alerts help drivers self-correct in real-time. Multi-camera systems (up to four-way views) not only improve situational awareness but are invaluable for post-incident investigation, often exonerating drivers.

On top of that, our safety module offers incident replay and analysis, giving operators full transparency on what happened and why.

Looking to the future

There are some really exciting and innovative technologies set to further improve driver safety over the next 5 – 10 years. AI is changing the game. We’re seeing a strong push across the industry, from OEMs to logistics providers, to embed AI-powered safety systems into vehicles.

From predictive risk detection to autonomous intervention, this isn’t just future-gazing; it’s already shaping procurement decisions. The next wave includes semi-autonomous safety interventions, predictive distraction scoring, and real-time driver coaching powered by AI.

Another major area is predictive maintenance. With the right data, operators can identify early warning signs of vehicle faults before they become dangerous or lead to breakdowns.

Braking system wear, tyre pressure anomalies, engine issues, all can now be tracked and flagged in advance, reducing the risk of incidents caused by mechanical failure.

We’re also seeing innovation in driver safety monitoring (like fatigue detection via biometrics), advanced ADAS integration with telematics platforms, and the rise of V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) connectivity, where vehicles can communicate with infrastructure, other vehicles, and even pedestrians to proactively avoid hazards. It’s a fast-evolving space, but one that’s set to make roads and our drivers significantly safer.

Real-world examples

There are some fantastic examples of how fleet managers have improved safety by adopting telematics and other transport technology solutions. One of Australia’s largest retailers recently rolled out a Telematics & Driver Distraction detection solution across its fleet.

During the initial rollout, distraction events dropped by more than 90%, creating a much safer environment for drivers and reducing the likelihood of incident-related downtime. Meanwhile, another major Australian retailer saw a 99% reduction in mobile phone use and a 95% reduction in unbelted driving.

Across other enterprise fleets, we’ve seen significant reductions in overspeeding and harsh braking, alongside fewer insurance claims and faster resolution of disputes, all thanks to better data and proactive safety management.

While there is still a long way to go, technology is playing a pivotal role in mitigating these risks and enhancing the safety of all road users.