SAN JUAN DEL RÍO, QRO.- Every 30 seconds, a life is lost worldwide in a traffic accident. The statistic takes on an even more alarming tone when we consider that a third of these deaths are linked to work-related accidents. This was the starting point shared by Jorge Jacobo , CEO of CEPA Mobility , to gauge the urgency of a paradigm shift in road safety.
Among the proposals presented at the 9th National Road Safety Congress of the National Association of Private Transportation (ANTP) , Jacabo emphasized analyzing the entire chain leading to an accident, not just the driver behind the wheel. For him, focusing solely on speed or human error is insufficient if loading delays, customer decisions, and route planning are not reviewed .
With a systemic approach, he argued, the operator can be prevented from becoming the weakest link. He also emphasized that the operator crisis is real. He said that only 6.5% are under 25 years old and more than 40% are over 50, which requires redesigning conditions that make this profession a dignified and sustainable option.
From a business perspective, Tania Hurtado , Head of Safety at Oxxo Distribución , explained how the company has developed a management model based on four pillars: training, motivation, supervision and accident investigation .
In a country with an estimated deficit of 99,000 operators by 2024, according to specialists, Oxxo has opted to train new operators with four-month programs, driving simulators, and certification processes by route type.
“Leadership commitment is essential,” Hurtado said, highlighting that recertification every two years and recognition of family efforts are key elements in building a culture of safety.
A look from experience
Clara Fragoso , a tractor-trailer operator with more than 20 years of experience, said the industry taught her how to take care of diesel and tires, but never how to take care of herself.
The lack of comprehensive training , he said, pushed many operators to use substances to endure the workdays.
“We don’t go out to be monitored, but because we want this to change. We need to learn to manage our emotions, our diet, and our sleep,” she stated firmly.
Her experience in the United States convinced her that Mexico has the tools to replicate more humane and safer models; however, she believes it requires coordination and will, both from the sector and government authorities.
In the same vein, Yair Valero , founder of Grupo Innovazione , warned that many programs fail because they treat the operator as a material resource and not as a person.
He shared the case of a client where operators were given a 12-hour notice for loading and had to wait another 12 hours to leave, which forced them to violate speed limits.
After renegotiating more realistic times with the client , that route was no longer critical in accidents. For Valero, rest and basic needs must be at the heart of any strategy.
In this regard, Santiago Flores , representing Métrica Móvil , explained that there is no point in generating thousands of data points if they are not converted into useful information for operators and supervisors.
He explained that the proper use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) can save up to 93% of administrative time and reduce speeding incidents by 85% with real-time feedback.
“It’s not about monitoring the operator, but rather about educating with reliable and timely information,” Flores emphasized.
For his part, Israel Sandoval Ponce , of Grupo Bimbo , concluded that road safety can only be sustained when technology is accompanied by education and culture , and when the operator stops being seen as a disposable resource to become the axis of a safe and humane logistics chain.
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