Growing Acceptance of In-Cab Camera Technology
The 2025 Heavy Duty Trucking/Work Truck Safety Survey revealed a significant shift in fleet safety practices, with dual-facing dashcams emerging as one of the fastest-growing safety technologies. Once met with heavy driver resistance, these cameras are now increasingly embraced by fleets as a vital tool for monitoring performance, preventing accidents, and reinforcing accountability.
While traditional safety measures like vehicle maintenance (82%) and written safety policies (80%) remain the most widely used strategies, dual-facing dashcams rose sharply in adoption—from less than 25% of fleets in prior surveys to 35% in 2025. Moreover, they top the list of technologies that fleets plan to adopt in the next year, with 14% of respondents citing them as their next investment.
Key Shifts in Fleet Safety Technology
The survey highlighted notable changes in how fleets prioritize safety technology:
- Air disc brakes ranked as the most-used safety tech at 60%, reflecting their growing popularity for improved stopping power.
- Forward collision warning systems climbed to 55%, overtaking last year’s leader, speed limiters (50%).
- Collision mitigation systems rose to 36%, while automatic emergency braking (AEB) held steady at 30%.
- Distracted driving prevention technology increased to 22%, marking its highest adoption rate yet.
The survey also revealed an upward trend in other emerging tools, particularly those integrating artificial intelligence (AI). About 25% of fleets reported using AI, most commonly through in-cab cameras that detect unsafe behaviors such as distraction and fatigue.
Safety Training and Culture Reinforcement
Beyond technology, the study emphasized the importance of driver training in reinforcing a culture of safety. Key findings include:
- In-person classroom training remains the most common format at 69%.
- Online video training rose to 57%, while behind-the-wheel training declined to 56%.
- Onboarding programs continue to play a central role, with 81% of fleets training new hires at the start of employment.
- Monthly training sessions grew in popularity, with 36% of fleets offering regular refreshers, up from 27% last year.
Some fleets also incorporate mentoring and one-on-one coaching, tailoring training to real-world driving data captured by telematics and camera systems.
Crash Accountability and Drug Testing Insights
The survey also explored how fleets handle crash accountability and driver screening:
- Crash Preventability Determination Program (CPDP): Only 32% of fleets have used this FMCSA program to remove non-preventable crashes from safety records, though participation is rising compared to prior years.
- Drug testing: While 86% of companies comply with federal drug testing rules, just 10% currently use hair testing for pre-employment screenings. An additional 18% plan to adopt this method in the future.
For more safety guidance, contact the team of transportation insurance experts at Deeley Insurance Group. Call or text 410-213-5600.
