Car Technology to Prevent Accidents

Mexico ranks second in Latin America for car accidents, with about 70% of them caused by human error. However, new technological strategies—such as specialized driver training with driving simulators and telematics—are becoming essential tools for companies looking to improve fleet safety.

Traffic accidents can be significantly reduced by improving drivers’ habits with the help of technology, Samuel Perez, road safety lead at Coca-Cola Femsa in Mexico, told Global Fleet.

“Something we have identified through technology, which is not only having our telemetry but the data management that we are doing, is identifying the opportunities we have with our drivers,” Perez said.

The most common areas for improvement include speeding, sudden braking, and sharp turns, he noted.

“The issue of speeding is something that has decreased drastically, but we continue to train drivers a lot in these types of reactions,” he added.

DRIVING SIMULATORS

To further improve driver behavior, Coca-Cola Femsa offers specialized training using advanced driving simulators. 

With a fleet of around 14,000 vehicles—including 8,200 secondary transport trucks and 5,225 utility vehicles—the driving simulators aim to enhance safety, minimize accident risks, raise awareness about fuel efficiency, and improve the skills of cargo drivers, according to data from Coca Cola Femsa.

These simulators, installed in Kenworth T880 and T800 trucks, recreate real-life scenarios with various risk factors. Drivers learn how to handle challenges such as:

• The consequences of using cell phones while driving
• Fatigue management
• Driving in hazardous conditions (rain, fog, ice, or oily roads), dealing with accidents, flat tires, and mechanical failures
• Giving priority to pedestrians and cyclists
• Safe overtaking
• Preventing lane invasion

This hands-on approach helps drivers develop the skills needed to avoid accidents and stay safe on the road.

The driving simulator, developed by APEX—a leading company in simulation solutions for driver training—features a 3-degree-of-freedom motion platform that replicates the G-forces of acceleration, braking, and cornering. This technology allows drivers to experience simulated accident scenarios, making them more aware of how their decisions on the road can have serious consequences.

Additionally, the simulator is equipped with cloud-based software that generates detailed reports and advanced telemetry. This system enables the creation of comparison and classification matrices by driver type, allowing central offices to access real-time evaluations. It also includes a fingerprint identification system to prevent identity fraud among students and instructors.

These simulators “create a fully immersive experience, with tailored programs for each driver, helping them correct or reverse the habits that lead to accidents,” Pérez explained.

By 2024, Coca-Cola Femsa aims to recertify 100% of its drivers using these simulators. Looking ahead to 2025, the company plans to expand its use of driving simulators and introduce video telemetry technology in its trucks, he said.

Additionally, Coca-Cola Femsa has also established a dedicated team of 16 specialists and analysts to monitor and manage data. This team identifies areas for driver improvement and organizes information through digital dashboards, he said.

“This is the environment that we have generated to be able to guarantee our road safety,” Perez added.

ACCIDENTS

Traffic accidents in Mexico surged by 26.3% to 381,048 between 2020 and 2023, according to data from National Statistics Agency (Inegi). 

Around 90% of traffic accidents recorded between 2020 and 2023 were caused by driver-related factors.

Fuente: Inegi

In Mexico, traffic accidents claim 16,000 lives each year, Miguel Pedroza, Partner Success Manager at Wialon, said during a panel discussion on ‘Enhancing vehicles safety with fleet management’ at the Fleet LatAm Summit 2024, which was held in Mexico on 25-26 September.

The primary causes of traffic fatalities include driver fatigue, mobile phone distractions, speeding, and, to a lesser degree, mechanical failures, he added.

These statistics point out that “we have a big challenge, and that is where telematics and fleet management platform providers have to come in to help fleet owners solve these problems,” Pedroza said.

TELEMATICS

Telematics companies can help fleet managers combat highway accidents through measures such as “real-time monitoring, video telematics, and rapid incident response,” Pedroza suggested.

Fleet managers in Latin America are increasingly adopting various technologies to enhance fleet safety and reduce accidents. These measures include installing software and AI cameras, according to Carlos Castillo, Vice President of Sales of Americas at the USA software platform for AI cameras, Smarter AI.

“What we see happening is that countries like Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Chile are going to start implementing it more,” said Castillo, adding that there is greater demand for these services in Mexico.

Corporate fleets that install AI cameras experience numerous benefits, including improved ROI, better driver habits, and a faster reduction in accidents, explained Castillo.

When AI cameras are installed in fleet vehicles, fleet managers gain insights into drivers’ specific habits. This information allows managers to identify and address drivers’ shortcomings through tailored training, according to Castillo.

RISKS FOR BUSINESS

The total amount of uninsured cars in Mexico is 39.8 million, or 72 percent, which is an increase of 13% compared to five years ago. The absence of car insurance coverage combined with the increase in traffic accidents has the potential to impede business growth and put the company’s assets at risk, according to insurers. 

Car accidents result in substantial expenses, including hospital debts, damage to public roads, vehicle repair, car recovery, and costs associated with fatalities, according to data from insurance company GNP Mexico.

The average cost of a road accident is MXN25,000 (€1,354) up to MXN450,000 (€ 24,383) in case of serious injury. The catastrophic cases exceed MXN1.5 million (€ 81,000), according to data from the Mexican Association of Insurance Institutions (AMIS).

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