The 2025 Safety Study from Work Truck and Heavy Duty Trucking shows some significant similarities and clear differences between light-/medium-duty fleets and heavy-duty operations. The study collected 250 responses in 2024 and was published in May 2025.
For crashes, light- and medium-duty trucks see more incidents in urban streets and parking lots, where congestion and tighter maneuvering raise risks. Heavy-duty fleets still face those same challenges, but highways rank higher for them compared to smaller trucks.
When it comes to training, both groups invest heavily in onboarding and after incidents. But heavy-duty fleets are slightly more consistent with monthly or quarterly refreshers, while light- and medium-duty fleets lean harder on one-time or annual training.
Technology adoption also shows gaps. Heavy-duty fleets lead the way on air disc brakes, adaptive cruise, and advanced braking systems, while light- and medium-duty fleets are catching up with cameras, lane departure, and electronic stability control. Looking ahead, both groups are eyeing more blindspot detection and forward-facing cameras, signaling an alignment in future priorities.
At the strategy level, both rely on the same core pillars (vehicle maintenance, policies, and training), but heavy-duty fleets report slightly more use of driver scorecards and recognition programs.
The takeaway? Fleets of all sizes share the same safety challenges, but their environments and toolkits look different. Light- and medium-duty fleets face more day-to-day maneuvering risks, while heavy-duty fleets are leaning into advanced tech and structured programs to manage long-haul hazards.
Where Do Crashes Happen?
Crashes aren’t happening where you might expect. For light- and medium-duty trucks, urban streets and parking lots top the list. Heavy-duty fleets report the same challenge, though highways also see their share. The data highlights how tight, everyday driving environments create bigger risks than longhaul stretches.
Source: Bobit Research
How Are Fleets Training?
Classroom and behind-the-wheel training remain the most popular formats, proving that hands-on learning is still king. Online training is growing as a flexible option, while live remote and simulators are still niche. Virtual reality hasn’t made much of a dent yet, but it’s on the radar for innovative fleets
Source: Bobit Research
Which Safety Technologies DoYou Currently Use?
The tech toolbox is expanding. Cameras, forward collision warning, and lane departure systems are already common, while air disc brakes and adaptive cruise are more widespread in heavy-duty vehicles. Light and medium-duty fleets are still catching up, but interest in advanced driver-assist systems is growing.
Source: Bobit Research
Which Safety Technologies DoYou Plan to Use?
Looking ahead, fleets are eyeing even more tech, especially back-up cameras, side blindspot detection, and forward-facing in-cab cameras. Heavy-duty fleets show stronger plans for adoption, but light- and medium-duty aren’t far behind, signaling wider use of advanced driver support tools in the near future.
Source: Bobit Research
Want to dig deeper into our research insights?
Check out our full coverage from Work Truck and Heavy Duty Trucking!
