A new survey shows 70% of businesses have experienced the effects of distracted driving incidents with more than half of respondents identifying mobile phone use as the primary cause of these incidents.
The findings come from the Global Distracted Driving Report 2025 by Teletrac Navman, based on responses from 421 fleet professionals across Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The report arrives as the New Zealand Government has announced targeted actions to improve road safety, including increasing road policing, reviewing penalties for traffic offences and signals that higher fines for phone-related driving offences could be on the horizon.
The survey showed nearly 49% of respondents said that distracted driving had a direct financial cost on their business; 40% said it caused operational disruptions; 28% said it led to safety and compliance breaches; and 25% experienced reputational damage.
According to the Ministry of Transport, in 2022 trucks were involved in 51 fatal crashes, 166 serious injury crashes, and 539 minor injury crashes across New Zealand. In these crashes, 62 people died, 208 people were seriously injured, and 727 people suffered minor injuries.
“This is a statistic that underscores the need for urgent action, and this report documents how fleet operators around the world are looking to make a significant change,” Teletrac Navman chief executive Alain Samaha says.
“Safety and distracted driving jeopardise the lives of drivers and the general public but also poses significant commercial risks.
“These risks can lead to increased insurance premiums and various direct costs associated with safety incidents, underscoring the critical importance of prioritising safe driving practices within the industry,” he says.
Technology, training, and developing a culture of safety are three tactics being employed by fleet operators to reduce the number of incidents. Among the array of technologies employed, 78% of respondents are using advanced telematics solutions. This includes various tools such as forward-facing cameras, driver-facing dash cams and digital coaching apps, which collectively enhance visibility into driver behaviour and operational safety.
Meanwhile, 70% of respondents are using technology in conjunction with coaching programmes to reinforce safe driving practices. This combination is proving effective, particularly with driver and forward-facing cameras, with 80% of users reporting a positive impact.
“Our customers seek effective solutions that not only enhance driver well-being but also ensure operational efficiency and sustainability, but prioritising safety is paramount,” Samaha adds.
