Distracted driving remains a persistent threat on U.S. roads, and its impact on commercial auto profitability is drawing heightened concern from insurers and brokers. According to new research from SambaSafety, 84% of insurers and brokers now view distracted driving as a major threat to commercial auto profitability, an increase of nearly 10 percentage points in just one year. This sharp rise underscores a growing recognition that distraction behind the wheel not only endangers public safety but also drives up costs when crashes occur.
The report, based on responses from 740 fleet, broker, and insurance professionals, along with an analysis of 500 million miles of driving data covering more than 135 million driver behavior events, highlights how safety risks vary significantly by industry. For example, severe speeding rates differed by more than fivefold across sectors: transportation fleets recorded 48 severe speeding events per 100,000 miles, while construction fleets recorded 254. These disparities demonstrate that a one-size-fits-all safety strategy is unlikely to be effective; organizations must tailor their programs to address the specific risks their drivers face.
Telematics has emerged as a key tool for identifying unsafe driving patterns and informing driver training. With 90% of fleet respondents using telematics, the challenge has shifted from data collection to data utilization. More than half of fleets (53%) say interpreting and acting on telematics data is a leading challenge. This gap between data availability and actionable insight is where artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly important role. Sixty percent of fleets and 94% of insurers report using AI in some form, including analyzing driver risk data and reviewing footage that once required manual processing.
The research also reveals a disconnect over data sharing: while 52% of brokers cite fleet distrust as a barrier, only 5% of fleets agree. This suggests that fleets may be more willing to share information when they understand its purpose and value. As Kristy Kennah, Head of Insurance at SambaSafety, noted, “Understanding risk isn’t just about having more data. It’s having the right information to reveal the story behind it.”
These findings reflect a broader shift in vehicle safety technology. As telematics and AI become more widely adopted, the focus is moving toward using data not just to monitor, but to identify risks and support safer decisions on the road. The implications are significant: insurers and fleets that successfully harness these tools can potentially reduce crashes, lower costs, and improve overall road safety. For an industry grappling with rising distracted driving concerns, the ability to translate data into targeted action may prove to be a competitive advantage and a public safety imperative.
The 2026 Telematics Report is available from SambaSafety. For more information, visit (NewsUSA).
