84% see AI-powered telematics as vital to fleet safety: SambaSafety

Eighty-four percent of fleets view telematics as very important or extremely important to their company's safety efforts, according to SambaSafety's "2026 Driver Risk Report." 

The study found that most fleets have access to a growing suite of telematics solutions including in-cab and front-facing cameras, AI that detects risky behaviors in real time and devices that monitor and report risky or reckless driving patterns. These solutions are often paired with on-demand, data-driven coaching to directly address individual drivers' behaviors and improve overall safety, according to SambaSafety. The study analyzed over 28 million driving events processed between October 1, 2025 and March 1, 2026. 

"AI has evolved from a silent observer into an active engagement engine that identifies high-risk behaviors — such as fatigue and distraction — long before a loss occurs. By transforming raw data into a digital 'game tape,' fleets can move beyond mere recording to active crash prevention, utilizing real-time in-cab alerts and predictive analytics to drive a 19% average decrease in collision costs," said Sean O'Bryan, safety consultant at Verizon Connect, in the telematics report. "As we look toward a future of generative and agentic AI, we aren't just tracking fleets; managers are now empowered to ask critical questions and use AI to autonomously prioritize coaching and safety optimization. This proactive approach neutralizes risk before it impacts your bottom line."

The research cites Teletrac Navman's 2025 Distracted Driving & Driver Safety survey, which found that a majority of fleets, 83%, say that AI is the future of safety. Additionally, 26% are testing or piloting AI safety solutions and 18% are exploring more options, according to Teletrac Navman.

SambaSafety's report finds that AI technology offers the ability to turn risk data into actionable insights, using gathered data from telematics devices to enforce safety policies across fleets and identify which drivers pose significant risk. These devices can also provide positive reinforcement to drivers by highlighting good driving behaviors, along with flagging risky behaviors. 

SambaSafety's research shows that front-facing cameras are the most common safety devices in use by 63% of fleets, followed by in-cab cameras at 48%, electronic logging devices at 41% and "black box" or event recorders at thirty-three percent. Both front-facing and in-cab dash cams offer fleets speedier claims processing, according to the report, including lower insurance premiums and protection from litigation. Smartphone apps and a vehicle's built-in sensors are also used to manage fleet safety at 28% and 21%, respectively.