Fleet management in the freight transportation sector is undergoing a transformation that goes far beyond simply knowing the location of vehicles. Road safety, fuel consumption, and vehicle availability directly impact profitability, which is why telemetry is evolving into tools capable of interpreting real-time data and anticipating operational risks.
According to Geotab ‘s 2026 State of Commercial Transportation Report , the digitization of transportation is moving towards a model in which data not only allows for the reconstruction of what happened during a journey, but also the identification of driving patterns, the generation of preventive alerts, and the guidance of decisions to improve fleet performance.
The scale of information required by this model is considerable. Geotab, a company specializing in commercial telematics , reports more than six million connected vehicles worldwide and the processing of more than 100 billion data points daily, from an operation spanning 160 countries.
This information feeds analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) tools that seek to convert vehicle records into useful information for those responsible for transportation, maintenance, and safety.
One example is Geotab Ace , a generative AI assistant that allows users to query information about fleet performance and operations by asking questions in natural language. According to the company’s data, 65% of the queries relate to vehicle performance, including fuel consumption and electric range; 23% are related to safety, and 12% to asset management.
The distribution of these consultations reflects the importance of integrating cost analysis and risk control into a single operational strategy.
5 seconds can change a route
Road safety represents one of the main challenges for road transport companies, particularly when risky behaviors can trigger an accident in a matter of seconds.
The Geotab report indicates that speeding is a factor in 22.2% of the collisions analyzed. Furthermore, it identifies a critical window for drivers traveling at speeds significantly above the limit: when they exceed the speed limit by 20% for more than 10% of the journey, they are seven times more likely to be involved in a collision within the first five seconds than under normal driving conditions.
In scenarios like this, traditional GPS tracking systems are insufficient on their own. Locating a unit allows you to know its route, but not necessarily to detect a distraction, a sign of fatigue, or a dangerous maneuver at the moment it occurs.
In this context, video telematics incorporates cameras and AI models capable of identifying risky behaviors and issuing alerts within the cab. Geotab’s GO Focus and GO Focus Plus solutions combine video with data processing to detect situations such as distractions, drowsiness, following too closely, and lane departures, so the operator can correct their behavior before it leads to an incident.
The preventative approach also presents a challenge for companies: integrating monitoring technology without damaging the relationship with drivers.
To address this concern, Geotab points out that its cameras do not transmit video continuously. The system processes information locally and records video clips or images when specific driving events are triggered. The company also highlights encryption and data protection mechanisms to safeguard the collected information.
The acceptance of these tools depends largely on how they are implemented and communicated within organizations. According to global figures from Geotab, 87% of professional drivers would be willing to adopt in-cab AI technologies when their purpose is to improve safety and support their work on the road.
Thus, the incorporation of smart cameras is not limited to a technological decision: it requires establishing clear criteria on the use of data, privacy, and the feedback that operators receive.
Road safety with an impact on costs
Accident prevention also has a financial dimension. Accidents can generate expenses for vehicle repairs, operational interruptions, damage to third parties, and loss of productivity, in addition to their human consequences.
The results reported by Geotab in Latin America demonstrate the potential of these tools to link safety and efficiency. In the case of Cementos Argos , the company reports reductions of up to 62% in road accidents and 16% in fuel consumption, results associated with greater operational visibility and the correction of driving habits.
Optimization also extends to periods when the engine is running but the vehicle is stationary. According to the company, idling management can help reduce these times by up to 30%, impacting fuel consumption and operating costs.
However, the results depend on the specific conditions of each fleet, the implementation of the tools, and the monitoring of the indicators. Technology provides information and alerts; its operational impact requires translating this information into concrete actions for training, maintenance, and management.
Another component is driver retention. Turnover involves recruitment, training, and onboarding costs, as well as putting pressure on service continuity. In this area, programs that recognize good driving habits aim to complement supervision with incentives.
Geotab reports that during a 90-day pilot of its incentive program with Richards Building Supply, a company with a fleet of over 300 vehicles, driving behavior improved by 41%. The company also reported savings of $28,000 in accidents avoided and $75,000 in fuel, along with a reduction in annual operator turnover from 25.5% to 14.3%.
Based on these results, Geotab calculates a 443% return on investment for the program. These figures correspond to the case reported by the company and do not constitute a guarantee of equivalent results for other operations.
Mexico accelerates the adoption of video-telematics
The adoption of these tools is also gaining ground in the Mexican market. Geotab reported 35% growth in Mexico over the past two years and an 83% increase in sales of its video-telematics solutions in Latin America during 2024.
The evolution of demand points to greater integration between location, security, maintenance, and performance analysis. Instead of operating with isolated systems, companies are seeking to consolidate information that allows them to link vehicle behavior with cost, availability, and safety indicators.
The challenge lies in turning that information into timely decisions. For freight fleets, this means moving from reacting after a failure or accident to identifying early warning signs and establishing preventative measures, while also prioritizing operator training and data protection.
In this process, telemetry ceases to be merely a tool for locating units and becomes a component of operational management: a source of information to reduce risks, make better use of assets and sustain the efficiency of logistics chains.
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