“It wasn’t an accident , but it could have been,” for 80% of commercial drivers in Mexico, that’s the phrase that best describes their last year behind the wheel. They “almost” had an accident due to distraction, they “almost” collided, they “almost” didn’t report it. And that “almost” is repeated at every curve, stoplight, and loading zone in the country.
The data is part of the report Behind the Wheel: Distracted Driving in Brick-and-Mortar Operations , prepared by Samsara . The study surveyed 1,550commercial operators in seven countries, including 150 in Mexico, to fully understand why drivers become distracted, the consequences they face, and how to reverse this pattern.
In Mexico, 83% of drivers admitted to being distracted by their personal cell phone, and the most common activities are making calls (33%), checking social networks (29%), and sending or reading messages (28%).
The paradox is clear: 71% of drivers need to use mobile technology as part of their work, which turns the device into both a tool and a threat. Faced with this reality, drivers themselves propose solutions. The most cited are: 48% called for policies limiting personal cell phone use during the workday; 43% recommended prioritizing safety over speed; and 42% suggested improving communication systems to reduce calls on the road.
59% considered Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based technology, such as in-cabin alerts and automatic distraction detection, to be the best solution for preventing risks. And it’s not a blind bet: 89% of Mexican drivers said that watching videos of their own driving made them more aware of their mistakes.
When it comes to improving, drivers have clear preferences for the type of images that impact them most: 28% preferred to watch recordings of their own driving , 25% opted for examples of nearby incidents, 24% found mistakes made by other drivers helpful, and 23% chose personalized visual guidance.
In addition to the phone, there is another silent enemy behind the wheel: fatigue . Sixty-seven percent of drivers in Mexico have experienced drowsiness while driving, a risk factor that is often underestimated. This finding highlights the need for stricter policies regarding rest periods and the redesign of work shifts to prevent critical situations.
Beyond the technological equipment , workplace culture makes a difference. In Mexico, 87% of drivers would stay at companies that implement proactive measures against distraction, making safety a retention tool.
In fact, 95% of operators have already received some form of training or advice, and 70% preferred digital platforms as a training method. Furthermore, 79% found recognition and incentives more effective at avoiding distractions than penalties.
“By combining advanced technology with proactive recognition and guidance, organizations can significantly reduce distracted driving incidents and foster the development of safer, more responsible drivers in the long run. These tools provide invaluable information, enable targeted training, and foster a culture of safety that benefits both drivers and the community at large,” said Brendali López, Marketing Director for Samsara in Mexico, in a company press release.
The role of government is also important. Fifty percent of drivers supported increasing fines for distracted driving, while 48 percent believed public awareness campaigns were necessary. Others called for stricter rules on rest breaks (47%) or random inspections (45%). They also proposed incentives: lower insurance premiums, funding for safety technologies, or rewards for companies with effective prevention programs.
Although there is still room for improvement, 82% of Mexican drivers considered their companies’ current policies effective in reducing distractions.
This level of acceptance represents a solid foundation for scaling efforts, integrating new technologies, and fostering an organizational culture that views security not as a formality, but as an investment.
Taken as a whole, the Samsara report issues a warning, because behind every distracted driver lies a life, a family, and an entire industry that depend on that near miss from turning into something worse.
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