The Critical Role of Monitoring Speed in Reducing Accidents and Claims for Commercial Fleets

Jim Angel, Speedgauge

In the world of fleet management, safety is a top priority, and speed monitoring stands as one of the most effective ways to protect drivers, prevent accidents, and reduce claims. By implementing robust telematics systems that closely monitor speed, fleet managers can drastically reduce the risks that come with speeding—a behavior responsible for nearly a third of traffic fatalities and a leading cause of accidents in both light and heavy commercial vehicles.

 

Telematics data provides invaluable insights that go far beyond basic over-speed reporting. While a simple alert for surpassing a set speed limit has some merit, effective speed monitoring goes further by identifying when drivers exceed posted speed limits by significant margins. For example, driving 50 mph in a 35 mph zone is a far greater risk than merely crossing a fleet-set speed threshold, and it’s these high-level infractions that fleet managers need to address. Data from the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) shows that drivers with speeding violations are 40% to 48% more likely to have an accident. This statistic alone underscores the importance of pinpointing drivers who regularly exceed speed limits as a proactive approach to reduce accidents and claims.

Speeding remains one of the top ten most frequent violations for commercial drivers, and it often has a ripple effect that leads to additional violations and costly inspections. Approximately one-third of the time a driver is pulled over for speeding, an inspection follows. These additional violations are costly in terms of fines, downtime, and potential liability if left unchecked. Furthermore, recurring inspections and violations can place a fleet on the radar for more frequent inspections in the future, creating a feedback loop that drains resources.

 

The need for high-quality speed data becomes even more evident when considering the challenges faced by light trucks and other smaller commercial vehicles. According to Samba Safety’s Risk Report, light trucks are involved in fatal crashes four times more frequently than Class 7 and 8 trucks. Their smaller size, greater maneuverability, and capacity for higher speeds make them easier to operate recklessly, but this also translates to increased crash severity. When these vehicles are involved in high-speed collisions, the potential for catastrophic injuries or fatalities rises, making speed control even more critical for mixed fleets.

Speed not only increases the likelihood of an accident but also significantly impacts the severity of any collision. As speed rises, reaction time decreases, making it harder for drivers to avoid obstacles and adjust to sudden changes in road conditions. Furthermore, the impact force in a high-speed collision is exponentially greater than at lower speeds, leading to more severe injuries, higher claims costs, and a greater likelihood of fatal outcomes. Monitoring and managing speed is essential to limit the damages associated with these accidents, protecting both drivers and the bottom line.

In today’s data-driven environment, using telematics data without taking action is a missed opportunity. Data should inform proactive safety measures, and fleet managers must remain consistent in reviewing speed trends across their fleet. By focusing on drivers who exhibit repeated speeding behavior, managers can more effectively reduce risk than if they tried to address all drivers at once. Concentrating on the top 10–20% of drivers with the highest frequency of speeding incidents allows for targeted coaching and behavior correction, ultimately reducing the fleet’s overall risk exposure.

Speed monitoring not only keeps drivers safer but also plays a crucial role in liability and claims management. With plaintiff attorneys increasingly scrutinizing telematics data, companies that ignore speeding behavior could face significant repercussions in court. Proving negligence in the event of an accident where speeding was a factor can lead to higher settlements and claims, making it all the more important to stay on top of speed data and enforce compliance.

Monitoring speed is one of the most effective ways to reduce accidents, claims costs, and liability for commercial fleets. With high-quality telematics data, fleet managers can make data-driven decisions that prioritize safety, reduce accidents, save lives, and protect their organizations financially.