Key takeaways
- Distracted driving deaths remain steady, pushing fleets to adopt year-round safety training and awareness programs.
- Lily Transportation uses Samsara alerts and coaching to correct distracted driving in real time.
- Fleets rely on simple safety systems like the Smith System to manage risks from distracted drivers on the road.
Distracted driving isn’t just a frequently discussed topic in the trucking industry; it’s a problem that affects everyone. Specifically, the general motoring public is well aware of how cell phone use while driving can be dangerous.
Yet still, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that there were 3,208 distracted driving-related fatalities in 2024. Since 2022, there have been no major shifts in the distracted driving death figures despite the overall number of traffic deaths dropping significantly in 2025. If this number is dropping, then why aren’t distracted driving-related deaths?
April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and NHTSA and other safety and law enforcement organizations are focusing on spreading awareness. But one month of awareness just isn’t enough. What can the trucking industry do year-round to spread awareness and prevent distracted driving?
Year-round distracted driving training and safety coaching
For Lily Transportation, distracted driving isn’t just a concern during April; it’s a year-long battle. And their first step in combating distracted driving among their drivers is awareness.
According to Sherief Boutros, the safety director at Lily Transportation, the company focuses on distracted driving awareness in several ways. One is through continuous safety training, referred to as “tailgates.” During these weekly trainings, Lily Transportation’s operations team discusses safety topics, including distracted driving, with truck drivers. Training materials and education opportunities are provided.
Distracted driving is also addressed through more direct, personal coaching.
“Have the driver do the coaching,” Boutros said. “You just sit them down and say, ‘Hey, listen, you're going to watch a video,’ and then have them say, ‘Hey, what do you see in that video?’ Don't tell them, ‘Oh, what do you see wrong in that video?’ They'll point out things maybe a coach or a GM missed.”
When dealing with distracted driving, Boutros said Lily Transportation emphasizes to the drivers the risks at stake: how the company could replace a truck but not the driver. Making coaching personal and reminding the driver of the stakes helps raise awareness, according to Boutros.
To keep coaching light, Boutros said they also use coaching to highlight positive moments when the drivers do something right.
In-cab camera systems and other tools for distracted driving prevention
For Lily Transportation, these coaching moments are made possible by Samsara technology and cameras in the cab that detect when a driver is distracted.
“When the camera detects a driver is distracted, looking down at his dash or at his phone, it gives drivers some nudges, a type of alert saying, ‘hey, distracted,'” Boutros explained. “It gives the driver an opportunity to correct himself.”
According to Boutros, these alerts are for distracted driving, drowsy driving, following distance, and more. The alerts are customizable so that they don’t become excessive and cause more distraction, but drivers still receive important notifications.
Hands-free technology is allowed for Lily Transportation drivers, but Boutros said drivers are discouraged from using this technology, especially at critical moments, such as backing up at docks or driving in tight urban spaces.
Fleets are using other forms of technology to prevent and identify distracted driving, such as artificial intelligence (AI) sensors, cameras, collision mitigation systems, ABS braking, etc. Fleet technology providers include Samsara, Netradyne, Motive, Lytx, Nauto, and more.
Defensive driving strategies for managing distracted drivers on the road
While truck drivers can manage their own behavior, they can’t prevent other drivers on the road from being distracted. According to Boutros, the best way to prepare truck drivers for this reality is through education and enforcement of standard safety practices.
Fleet safety practices at Lily Transportation are kept simple with the Smith System. The five keys of the Smith System are:
- Aim high in steering
- Get the big picture
- Keep your eyes moving
- Leave yourself an out
- Make sure they see you
To remember these keys, Boutros uses this mnemonic acrostic with his drivers: All Good Kids Love Milk. This training tool is simple but emphasizes the fleet safety basics that truck drivers need to remember. When dealing with other distracted drivers on the road, the last two keys—leave yourself an out and make sure they see you—are especially important.
About the Author
Jenna Hume
Digital Editor
Digital Content Specialist Jenna Hume joined FleetOwner in November 2023 and previously worked as a writer in the gaming industry. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from Truman State University and a master of Fine Arts degree in writing from Lindenwood University. She is currently based in Missouri.