From risk to prevention: The tech giving fleet managers 360-degree visibility

Fleet and transport operations are inherently risky. Drivers regularly cover long distances in challenging physical and mental conditions, which puts them at an increased risk of injury compared to other occupations.

Sadly, 2025 was Australia’s deadliest year on the road since 2010, with 1,337 deaths. This figure is up 4.8% from last year, and currently, no state or territory is on track to meet its targets under the National Road Safety Strategy.

During the 12 months ending June 2025, there were 205 road deaths involving a heavy vehicle, an increase on the previous year.

Fleet managers play a particularly important role in road safety by ensuring their drivers are operating vehicles as safely as possible.

With so many different risks facing drivers, it begs the question: why do some fleet managers still rely on manual, paper-based processes, which leave them with poor visibility over their operations and heightened safety risks?

After all, how can fleet managers effectively prevent safety risks if they can’t even see them in the first place? This reduced visibility leaves fleet operators in the dark, whereas increased visibility enables them to proactively manage risk, improve safety, reduce costs and improve performance.

This is why transport companies are increasingly adopting fleet management technology to achieve a greater level of visibility and reduce the level of risk on the roads.

How fleet management technology is transforming safety and risk management

Fleet management technology is greatly improving safety in two key areas — Proactive Risk Management and ‘First Notification of Loss’ (FNOL).

Proactive Risk Management refers to identifying a risk and taking action to prevent an incident before it happens. Some of the most common risks include:

• Negligent driver behaviours, such as speeding, tailgating and improper seatbelt use
• Driver distractions, such as mobile phone use and eating
• Width/height restrictions, such as low bridges
• Blind spots and vulnerable road users
   

Using enhanced driver and vehicle visibility tech to detect these risks and trigger alerts means corrective action can be taken to avoid an accident. For example, blind spot detection cameras give drivers greater situational awareness.

These systems can safely alert drivers of an approaching cyclist or upcoming debris on the road so the appropriate corrective action can be taken.

Furthermore, driver behaviour technology can track trends in speeding, harsh braking, idling and more, enabling fleet managers to identify and reduce risky behaviours through coaching before they lead to an incident. These technologies also help embed a robust safety culture across fleets by gamifying safe driving. Features such as driver safety scoring, leaderboards and continuous performance feedback motivate drivers to improve their behaviour, fostering accountability and long-term safety improvements. The same technology can also be used to identify and reward positive driving behaviours and implement initiatives that foster a more engaged and safety-conscious workforce.

Visibility tech can also greatly assist with ‘First Notification of Loss’, which applies when an incident or accident occurs. In the aftermath of an accident, in-vehicle telematics devices can help clarify what happened. Multi-camera systems are particularly important as they piece together footage from multiple angles to create an accurate picture of an incident.

This enables fleet managers to review what the vehicle was doing before and during an incident to conduct a thorough analysis. It also helps avoid false claims of negligence and supports insurance claims, where, in the event of a heavy vehicle collision, truck drivers may initially be blamed even when the incident wasn’t their fault.

In addition to collision incidents, FNOL visibility also plays an important role in asset protection. In the event of theft, tracking can help locate missing vehicles and trailers, while camera footage can provide clear evidence of what occurred to support investigations and insurance resolutions.

Managing compliance

Compliance is another critical area where visibility tech can greatly assist fleet managers, particularly when it comes to meeting Chain of Responsibility (CoR) obligations. For example, when transporting refrigerated or frozen goods, fleet managers can utilise temperature monitoring sensors to ensure the goods have remained at a safe temperature during transit, rather than guessing and hoping for the best. Other common CoR risks, such as exceeding weight limits, pushing drivers beyond regulated hours or failing to address vehicle defects, can also be monitored and documented, giving operators a defensible record of compliance.

Camera footage also supports compliance investigations by providing clear evidence of what occurred. This documentation can assist with insurance resolutions and, in many cases, help operators secure lower premiums due to reduced risk.

Just like vehicles, operators need to ensure their drivers meet strict compliance requirements as well, whether it’s monitoring driver licences, ensuring drivers are not fatigued and more. With a live view over their drivers’ hours, fleet managers can decide whether to reallocate a driver to another job, plan regular rest breaks and keep drivers within legal limits. Electronic Work Diaries (EWDs) play a crucial role here; they automatically record work and rest hours, remove the risk of manual logbook errors, and alert managers when a driver is approaching a breach.

This real-time visibility supports stronger fatigue management, which is one of the most heavily scrutinised areas under CoR. By identifying risks early and intervening proactively, operators can demonstrate they are taking all reasonable steps to prevent fatigue-related incidents and remain compliant.

Safety is everyone’s job

Safety doesn’t sit with one person or department; it’s a shared responsibility across the entire operation. From drivers and dispatchers to schedulers and senior managers, every decision made has a knock-on effect. Australia’s Chain of Responsibility (CoR) regulations mandate that anyone who influences transport operations is held accountable for safety, not just the driver behind the wheel. Additionally, Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) requires drivers of heavy vehicles to keep accurate records of work and rest hours to effectively manage fatigue.

It is critical that fleet managers strive to build a safety-first culture in their operations. Implementing the right technology gives both drivers and managers the visibility they need to act, build accountability and drive long-term behaviour change. Fleet managers should prioritise adopting these tools now to protect their teams, ensure compliance and reduce operational risks.

Learn more about Microlise’s transport management technology here.

Image credit: iStock.com/gorodenkoff. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.