The freight transport sector in Mexico faces a critical juncture marked by high accident rates and cargo theft . This situation not only threatens the integrity of the supply chain but also endangers human life.

According to Raymundo Mancera Sandoval, president of the Mexican Association of Private Security and Satellite Industry Companies (AMESIS) , accidents are the result of a combination of factors, where the human element is crucial. The main causes range from the absence of prior risk analysis for each route to the lack of adequate training for operators , who sometimes lack basic skills due to the high demand in the sector.

One factor exacerbating the situation is the informality within the satellite tracking services sector . Several trucking companies, in their efforts to reduce costs, hire uncertified or informal monitoring providers , which poses a risk to their operations.

“Companies are trying to save costs by hiring informal tracking services, but this only makes the problem worse,” Mancera warned in an interview with T21, alluding to deficient response protocols in the security chain.

The informal nature of these companies also impacts cargo security , as informal tracking companies are a potential source of leaks of sensitive information about routes and goods, and even operator data. This situation “generates impacts on cargo and a loss of credibility for formal firms,” the specialist noted.

To minimize the risks this represents, AMESIS promotes a security vision that integrates intelligence, logistics, preventive monitoring and inter-institutional coordination , seeking to ensure continuous cargo traceability.

Insecurity trends in critical corridors

The security trends show an increase in events with greater violence and the expansion of risk corridors, particularly in the Puebla-Veracruz and Guanajuato-Querétaro sections, where highway incidents have increased, and others have decreased.

“On the contrary, the number of incidents has been decreasing in the State of Mexico, where some important strategies are being implemented to reduce robberies, but the Puebla-Veracruz and Mexico-Puebla sections are extremely high, and the Guanajuato-Querétaro section is already experiencing a very high incidence,” Mancera pointed out.

In that regard, he said that satellite technology plays a crucial role, not only in recovery but also in crime prevention , as it allows for proactive measures, and in the case of incidents, “you can anticipate them a little.” “There are already some companies working with very advanced systems, even integrating artificial intelligence and predictive alerts that allow them to anticipate an event before it happens,” he added.

According to Overhaul , freight carriers felt the brunt of organized crime groups in Puebla, Mexico State, Guanajuato, Michoacán and Veracruz, which together account for 80% of the incidents.

At AMESIS, the creation of intelligent monitoring centers with high-availability infrastructure and direct connection to the authorities is being promoted to handle emergencies, where reactions can be guaranteed in the shortest time, even in minutes, “and have total traceability of the event, that helps the authority a lot so that they can also carry out their prevention and recovery strategies, and in that synergy, minimize impacts.”

These practices have allowed the organization to have a high recovery rate when an accident occurs and is reported immediately; however, there are also some challenges.

“The recovery rate we have at AMESIS is above 90%-95% when the report is made within the first 30 minutes of the event beginning, that is, when the robbery starts; the percentage is very high. When this time frame is exceeded and more than an hour or two has passed, the recovery rate drops dramatically to less than 50%,” he pointed out.

Coordination with the authorities has been vital in addressing accidents in the freight transport sector. The National Guard is one of the institutions with which AMESIS maintains close ties.

“They give us support at practically a national level, because they have influence on all the highways, and working particularly with the State of Mexico, with whom we have a very good relationship with the General Directorate of Cargo Theft, and above all looking at how we are closing links with cargo theft in Querétaro, Puebla, and Pachuca, which are the borders of Mexico City, and it is through here that 80% of the cargo that goes out passes,” Mancera indicated.

Cyberattacks: New Frontiers of the Threat

In addition to traditional theft, there are technological threats such as cyberattacks , which aim to steal sensitive information related to the merchandise being transported and the routes, making it a growing threat in road transport.

To combat cybercrime, data encryption , redundancy in communication channels, and the use of secure cloud backups are vital , said Raymundo Mancera.

Trucking operators are also exposed to crimes involving jammers , devices that inhibit the signal of satellite tracking systems.

According to Overhaul data, it is estimated that between  80% and 85% of cargo thefts in Mexico  involve the use of  jammers . The firm also revealed that from January to July 2025, the use of these devices was concentrated in the central region (66%) and the Bajío region (27%). For Mancera, part of the solution regarding these signal blockers is for authorities to stop allowing their importation into the country, as well as their use.

To ensure safety, AMESIS, which has 32 affiliated companies, recommended that carriers require their suppliers to have certifications such as ISO 27001. Mancera emphasized the importance of transportation validation tools with the National Guard, linked to the LAICA platform (Immediate Alert Line Against Assaults) , which ensure that vehicles have the necessary safety measures in place.

According to the specialist, an effective security strategy is based on three pillars:

• Prevention: Route evaluation, operator selection, continuous monitoring.
• Response: Clear emergency protocols, direct communication with authorities, 24/7 monitoring centers.
• Technology: Certified devices, redundant connectivity, and predictive analytics.

The specialist also emphasized that the Single Point of Contact (PUC) has been developed , which is a tool that concentrates emergency information from associated companies to channel it to the corresponding authority.

The fight against accidents, insecurity, and the informality of tracking companies demands prevention, response, and certified technology. As Mancera concludes, AMESIS not only advises and trains, but also fosters a measurable safety culture for the trucking industry.

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In the trucking industry, the concept of “comprehensive coverage” in insurance terms is often misunderstood, although in everyday language it is associated with comprehensive protection; in reality, heavy equipment policies are for named perils , explained Marco Antonio Fernández Vargas , an insurance agent specializing in fleets and heavy equipment.

“If the risk isn’t explicitly stated in the policy, it’s simply not covered,” he noted. He explained that in the case of a fire resulting from an electrical failure, the claim wouldn’t apply unless specifically covered.

Fernández warned that, although some companies may offer commercial support in exceptional cases, coverage depends strictly on the contracted terms. Therefore, he recommended that companies carefully review the scope and exclusions of their policies , especially when managing large fleets.

Based on their experience, insurers evaluate two essential factors when defining premiums and conditions: claims history and preventive actions .

“Today, companies analyze what the customer has done to reduce accidents or thefts, and what they are doing to prevent them. Both aspects—reactive and preventive—are equally important,” he noted in an interview with T21.

Regarding road safety culture, Fernández acknowledged that a major challenge remains. “It’s very difficult to have a company with an organizational culture focused on road safety. It involves not only operators but also administrators, middle managers, and senior management.”

With offices in Mexico City and a new headquarters in Nuevo Laredo , he commented that his company is undergoing a process of internal strengthening.

“Today we are investing in a system that allows us to control the entire process, from issuance to claims follow-up, in addition to defining clear manuals and procedures,” he explained.

Beyond selling policies, he emphasized, the goal is to support clients at every stage. “We love participating in prevention and being part of the operation. I don’t sell policies; I participate in my clients’ operations ,” he stated.

Leadership, he emphasized, is based on empathy. “We must understand how much it costs to have a unit down or lose a good operator. Taking care of them and being there from the first minute after an accident makes all the difference.”

Transportation insurance today faces a double challenge: understanding the real limits of coverage and building a preventive culture that reduces accidents.

In an environment where every minute of downtime represents a loss, timely risk management becomes not only a contractual obligation, but a key strategy for fleet operational continuity.

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Mexico is facing a road crisis. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) , more than 380,000 traffic accidents are recorded in the country each year, with thousands of injuries and huge economic losses. Given this reality, the implementation of advanced technologies, such as telematics, offers a ray of hope to reduce both the human and financial costs associated with these incidents.

The main positive impact of telematics lies in its ability to prevent accidents before they occur. Through continuous monitoring of factors such as speed, seat belt use, sudden braking or sudden acceleration, companies that manage vehicle fleets and individual drivers can gain critical insights into their behavior on the road.

This is especially relevant in Mexico, where poor road maintenance and poor driver education contribute to a high-risk environment. Through telematics, dangerous behavior can be detected and feedback provided in real time, helping drivers correct their actions before an incident occurs.

In Mexico, the financial cost of road accidents is staggering. The economic impact of these accidents is estimated to amount to between 2% and 6% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), including medical costs, lost productivity, and material damage. Businesses that rely on vehicles for their daily operations — such as logistics and transportation companies — are particularly vulnerable to these costs.

Telematics helps Mexican companies manage their fleets more efficiently and safely, significantly reducing the likelihood of incidents. By avoiding accidents, companies save on repair costs, medical expenses, lawsuits and even insurance premiums, which can be reduced when these systems are implemented.

In this regard, some insurers in Mexico are already offering incentives, such as reduced policy costs, for companies that adopt these security and monitoring technologies. This represents a competitive advantage for companies seeking to reduce their operating costs in a complex economic environment.

In addition to the immediate impact on safety and costs, telematics also offers long-term benefits by contributing to better road safety education in Mexico. With the information provided by these systems, it is possible to design driver training programs that focus on correcting unsafe behaviors. This is especially important in a country where the lack of awareness programs and the high rate of traffic violations are constant challenges.

For example, a company can use telematics data to identify drivers most likely to commit violations and create personalized training plans. This not only reduces the risk of incidents in the present, but also fosters a culture of safe driving in the long term, which has a positive impact on society as a whole.

The use of telematics not only benefits businesses, but also has a social and environmental impact in Mexico. With fewer accidents on the roads, traffic congestion is reduced, which in turn reduces polluting emissions generated by vehicles stuck in traffic. In addition, cities could use telematics data to identify high-risk areas and design safer infrastructure, such as better signage or the implementation of pedestrian crossings in critical areas.

Mexico faces enormous challenges in terms of road safety and the costs associated with traffic accidents. However, telematics offers a modern and effective solution to mitigate these problems. By preventing accidents, educating drivers and reducing financial costs for companies, this technology has the potential to transform Mexican roads into safer and more efficient places.

It is time for businesses and government in Mexico to fully embrace telematics as part of a comprehensive strategy to save lives and reduce the economic costs of road accidents.

Check out Juan Cardona’s previous column: The challenge of real-time tracking: a perspective from security and telematics.

Juan Cardona is Vice President of Sales for  Geotab  in Latin America.

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Road safety is a growing concern in Mexico, especially in the cargo transportation sector , where accidents generate significant economic losses for companies and impact human lives.

Fatigue , distraction and lack of effective protocols on the roads represent a constant challenge to road safety.

In its quest to change this reality and combine its experience and innovation, Skyangel , a cargo monitoring and security company, has created anti-accident cabins , designed to prevent accidents in real time.

According to Ariel Arriaga García, Director of Business and Operations at Skyangel, these cabins integrate advanced sensors that monitor human behavior and analyze data to detect signs of fatigue or distraction in drivers.

“One of the main factors behind accidents is the drowsiness of operators, aggravated by the lack of specific regulation and standard protocols,” explains the manager.

But accident prevention booths go beyond the installation of own or third-party technology, as they seek to ensure that processes are followed that allow preventive decisions to be made before a road accident occurs.

In tests carried out with a fleet of a thousand trucks, Skyangel reported savings of up to 100 million pesos in accident costs , especially in material damage.

The key to the success of this model lies in the combination of Artificial Intelligence and human monitoring. While the systems issue precise alerts, such as seat vibrations or audible signals, a Skyangel control center operates 24 hours a day to manage the alarms and ensure that corrections or operational adjustments are implemented in time.

“We aim to reduce accidents by up to 40%, a significant leap from the average of 15% achieved by traditional systems. This progress is possible thanks to the integration of cutting-edge technology with effective protocols,” says Arriaga.

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With more than 20 years of presence in Mexico, Kabla Diagnósticos is a company that, among other things, offers various solutions for the early detection and monitoring of various diseases, but has also focused on offering toxicology and alcohol detection tests , with the aim of strengthening safety in cargo transportation operations.

“One of our main solutions has been toxicology testing, which has been a key issue for corporations and companies in various branches, including those that provide transportation services for goods and merchandise,” explained Federico Lozano, co-founder of Kabla Diagnostics, in an interview with T21.

One of the advantages of the tests is the time, since it takes about five minutes to detect some type of narcotic, either in saliva or urine . It should be noted that this last test is capable of detecting up to 12 parameters (THC, cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, etc.) with more than 24 combinations. Lozano explained that this is beneficial because it adapts to the needs of the clients.

In turn, breathalyzer tests have become a fundamental tool for transportation because they help prevent road accidents , and even inside warehouses they can prevent incidents in the workplace.

“These tests have revolutionised transport and logistics operations, as well as putting the spotlight on the seriousness of the problem of drivers consuming alcohol or driving under the influence of certain narcotics,” said the director.

Although this type of testing does not guarantee 100% that there will be no incidents, it is clear that it contributes to significantly reducing the incidence and can even help to persuade operators and collaborators not to consume illegal substances such as alcohol.

“We must do some work to raise awareness among employees about why tests should be carried out. Sometimes it is difficult for an operator who spends many hours behind the wheel to stop in the middle of the journey to take a breathalyzer or toxicology test. For this reason, it is necessary to carry out the test before and after the journey, in this way it can be verified that there was no consumption during the trip, with this it is possible to identify employees who have these practices ,” said the co-founder of Kabla Diagnostics.

Another area that Kabla is exploring is awareness talks for work teams in companies. In addition, it works together with road authorities and authorities to disseminate information.

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At the end of last year the number of people killed due to road accidents amounted to 16,853 , according to figures from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) , which averages out to 13.1 deaths per one hundred thousand inhabitants.

These figures place Mexico in a complex situation, since the data from a previous year averaged 12.8 deaths, if it is taken into account that the average of the member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) was 5.3. for every 100 thousand inhabitants and the leading countries in road safety had an average of two deaths per 100 thousand inhabitants, in Mexico 6 times more people die from this cause than in the most advanced countries .

It should be noted that of the total deaths, it is estimated that a total of 338 were in a heavy vehicle, which means that 2.0% of the deaths were in this configuration of units.

Based on these data, Salvador Saavedra, president of the Automotive Industry Sector of the National Chamber of the Processing Industry (Canacintra) and founding partner of Entorno Industrial, explained that “there is a lot to do in this area . ”

Based on a statistic carried out by Entorno Industrial made with data from the Mexican Transport Institute (IMT) and Inegi, Saavedra detailed that from 2021 to 2023, 5,189 people have died above the target trend of reducing deaths due to road accidents. raised in the Decade for Road Safety 2021-2030 .

“With a cost for the country of four thousand 220 million dollars, this figure is notable because the General Law of Mobility and Road Safety (LGMSV) details that no money is allocated in the budget for issues of this Law, from my point of view. “From this point of view, resources should be allocated in such a way that we do not have these increasing numbers.”

The figures highlight the importance of taking fundamental actions, implementing what is established in the National Strategy for Mobility and Road Safety (Enamov) to achieve the goal of the Decade of Road Safety 2021-2023.

According to joint data from Inegi and the IMT, by 2023 there will be 400 thousand road accidents per year, on the other hand, just over 700 thousand vehicles were involved, of which just under five thousand were cargo vehicles (single trucks, articulated and double articulated) both on roads and in the city. It is important to note that the statistics that were published in the IMT Statistical Yearbook stopped reporting what was happening with the full configuration .

“In 2021 was the last time this data was reported, starting in 2022, unitary, articulated and double articulated trucks were unified in the cargo category,” Saavedra explained, while noting that it is important to recover the figures by type. of configuration, which will help to observe the areas of opportunity and the actions that are taken to have more security in each of the different configurations.

Given this reality, Saavedra explained that it is necessary to have a safe transit system, which addresses the incorporation of multimodal transportation and better use of land, as well as safer transit and mobility routes, coupled with safer vehicles with users are increasingly aware of safety, and in the event that these four factors fail, it is important to have an effective response to accidents.

On the other hand, the president of the Automotive Industry Sector of Canacintra, proposed that to contribute to reducing the risk of collisions on roads it is necessary to make the country’s road infrastructure more efficient and take examples from more advanced countries , so that they are transferred practical solutions to the country.

For example, 2+1 roads that have three lanes, one for each direction of traffic, and another central one, intended for overtaking, which alternates between one direction of traffic and the other and both directions are separated by a physical barrier. . Or highways could also be equipped with a “virtual” third lane for passing, even in a non-permitted area.

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