Telematics for Construction Fleets: How You Can Reduce Risk and Improve Safety

August 10, 2026

By Ken Bogdan, CSP, William Rennie, and Travis Shaffer

Accounting for 37% to 40% of all workplace fatalities annually, transportation incidents remain the leading cause of U.S. workplace deaths across all industries. In the construction industry, transportation incidents are the second-leading cause of workplace fatalities after falls, slips and trips, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This makes transportation safety a critical risk affecting construction companies of all sizes. However, acquiring insurance coverage for construction fleets is becoming increasingly challenging as insurers continue to more thoroughly underwrite accounts with large fleets and restrict their appetites for this business.

As the construction industry continues to grow rapidly, ensuring safe driving practices in construction vehicle fleets will be crucial to avoid costly accidents and legal action. Telematics can help improve construction fleet safety, and while it has been around for years, not all fleets are using it to its full potential. When telematics data is monitored and analyzed properly, it can become a valuable tool — not only to improve worker safety and driving performance, but to help construction companies optimize operations, mitigate legal risk and acquire the insurance they need to operate confidently at the most competitive price.

The Evolution of Telematics

Telematics encompasses a range of devices used in construction fleets to monitor, track and analyze driver behaviors and construction vehicle performance. Over the years, telematics has evolved from basic tracking devices to today’s AI-enabled remote monitoring tools.

• One of the earliest forms of telematics was GPS technology, allowing construction companies to track vehicle locations, routes and speed when traveling to sites.
• Soon after, camera devices expanded telematics capabilities by capturing continuous video in front of, behind and inside construction vehicles. This allows fleet managers to track unsafe behaviors on roadways and within construction sites, such as hard braking, speeding, phone use and other distracting activities. Video also provides greater context around near-misses and accidents. However, this data is often limited because fleet managers must manually sift through footage or alerts.
• Today, AI is enabling real-time feedback for construction teams. Automated systems reduce some of the reporting burden, triaging scenarios and providing feedback to help managers zero in on individual and fleetwide issues.

As telematics and related technologies advance, leveraging new tools is key. Even organizations already using telematics risk falling behind if they do not regularly reassess and update their systems as the technology advances. But whether a construction fleet is using older cameras or the latest devices, telematics won’t deliver real value if the data is being ignored.

4 Ways to Use Telematics Data to Improve Fleet Safety

At its core, telematics should change driver behavior by correcting bad habits as they happen. But it’s up to construction fleet managers to review the data and use it to improve fleet safety. If they don’t, they risk the data becoming a liability. For example, when telematics data shows repeated violations by a worker who is later involved in an accident, we frequently see plaintiff attorneys subpoena the data and use it against the construction company in court, arguing they knew about the issues and did nothing to rectify them.

There are several strategies construction fleet managers can implement when using telematics to ensure the data collected is being used to encourage safe driving and operations.

1. Formal written policies: Fleet managers should establish written policies that include remedial actions to be taken when unsafe behaviors are detected — and the corrective actions expected of drivers and vehicle operators.
2. Safety training programs: Telematics data should be used as a safety training tool, helping construction managers focus on specific issues occurring across the fleet. For example, if multiple drivers are speeding or there’s a spike in hard braking, training sessions can be tailored to address those specific behaviors.
3. Informed construction fleet operations: Beyond insurance, claims and safety, telematics data can help fleet managers improve operational efficiency by enabling a deeper understanding of how machinery is used. For example, visibility into vehicle locations can help managers optimize routes and improve fuel efficiency. Additionally, tracking how construction vehicles are used on site can help reduce idle time and maximize utilization.
4. Reward program: Another strategy to encourage safe driving and vehicle operating habits is a reward program that recognizes workers with a low number of alerts or incentivizes workers to reduce alerts through training or corrective actions.

While data management and analysis require a specific skill set and dedicated time, advances in AI and autonomous data systems are making it easier and more efficient for construction fleet managers to analyze telematics data, make informed decisions and retain appropriate insurance coverage.

Building a Technology-Enabled Construction Fleet Safety Program

In the past, cost may have been a barrier for some construction fleet managers to explore telematics. However, if these tools can prevent even two major accidents over the course of several years, construction companies will likely see a return on their investment. Being able to show that driver and operator behavior is tracked, reviewed and addressed can help construction companies mitigate legal risk, meet carrier underwriting requirements and avoid increases in insurance premiums.

Whether you have five or 500-plus construction vehicles, telematics is an important element of a technology-driven approach to construction fleet safety and risk control. Other tools, like real-time motor vehicle record (MVR) monitoring, which continuously checks drivers’ licenses for infractions, can also help construction fleet managers build a safety program that mitigates risk and offers greater protection — while replacing manual processes with affordable AI-driven technology. These kinds of tools create a record of active oversight, which can instill more confidence with insurance carriers.

The Conner Strong & Buckelew Advantage

For construction companies — or other businesses operating vehicle fleets — telematics can take your safety and risk control strategy to the next level. Our risk control team closely monitors the evolving safety environment and can help you position your company to mitigate risk. We can provide strategic recommendations to help guide the development of fleet safety programs and resource recommendations for companies looking to implement telematics in their fleet. Additionally, our experienced consultants can help you with traditional insurance solutions and alternative risk solutions designed to counter insurance companies’ limited appetite for construction companies with large fleets.

Ready to arm your company with a strong construction fleet safety program? Contact us today to partner with experienced professionals committed to keeping your organization safe and secure.