In freight transport, road safety cannot be reduced to numbers: it represents the difference between prevention and tragedy, between profitability and operational risk, explained Alfredo Alcántara, Road Safety Manager of CESVI Mexico .
Behind every kilometer traveled, there are decisions that determine the well-being of the operators and the financial stability of the companies, he explained.
From this perspective, CESVI seeks to be a strategic ally in road safety management for fleets, offering comprehensive plans of analysis, training and advice that allow for a reduction in accident rates between 25 % and 50 percent .
“We have made companies more profitable. If a policy costs one million pesos and the claims rate remains the same, there is no profit. But when we reduce those rates, fleets save millions that they can reinvest in prevention and operations,” Alcántara explained.
The human factor, the starting point
The expert pointed out that human error remains the primary cause of accidents. Speeding, distractions from cell phone use, and lack of rest are the most common causes.
“An operator with high blood pressure or with 15 hours of driving experience represents a risk; he must be stopped before he goes out on the road,” he warned.
Therefore, he recommended implementing routine medical assessments – even if they are basic, such as blood pressure or glucose – and physical-mechanical review protocols before each trip.
“If you detect bald tires or brake failures, that vehicle should not be driven. Prevention should be a policy, not a suggestion,” he added.
Telemetry, onboard cameras, and real-time monitoring systems have transformed how fleets detect and correct risky behaviors.
Today, companies can measure driving habits, rate operators, and record key data in accidents .
“It’s no longer just a matter of sending the operator and hoping they return safely. Now we know if they exceeded the speed limit, ran a red light, or made a sudden maneuver,” Alcántara explained.
He also commented that Mexico has 61 million vehicles and nine million motorcycles , an environment where different weights and speeds coexist.
“There are more and more accidents between heavy vehicles and motorcycles. The operator must learn to anticipate them, to live with that risk,” he said.
CESVI promotes training of at least 16 hours per year , designed according to the real problems of the fleets.
“A one-hour course doesn’t change behavior. A two-day training course has an impact for up to 90 days, but it must be reinforced with constant campaigns and repetitions,” he stated.
Alcántara exemplified that the economic impact of prevention can indeed be measured . Between 2023 and 2024 , one of the companies advised by CESVI managed to reduce its annual insurance premium from 21 million to 15 million pesos , savings derived from security strategies and continuous training.
This margin, he explained, allows fleets to redirect resources towards maintenance, operator rest, or operational improvements, generating a virtuous circle between prevention and efficiency.
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