Results+ in Action: Safer Fleets Are Built, Not Bought

When I took the stage at the Results+ Fleet Performance Summit in December as part of the Safety Panel, I knew it was going to be a powerful conversation. I was joined by two fleet leaders who have truly walked the talk when it comes to safety: James Cole from Bath Fitter and Chad Edmondson from VSC Fire & Security. Together, we explored not just the technology behind safer fleets, but the culture, leadership, and commitment required to make safety truly stick.

For anyone unfamiliar, the Results+ Summit is Wheels’ annual year-end gathering of top corporate fleets across North America. It’s a three-day forum dedicated to shared learning, peer exchange, and celebrating client success through the Results+ Fleet Performance Program. Now in its 13th year, the Results+ Summit has grown into the largest gathering of corporate fleet professionals, featuring panels, roundtables, and real-world case studies from leaders who are pushing the industry forward. It’s a space where ideas turn into action, and where conversations, like ours on safety, can spark meaningful change.

Our panel, “Safer Fleets Through Culture & Commitment,” centered on a simple but critical truth: technology alone doesn’t make fleets safer, people and culture do. Throughout the discussion, James, Chad, and I reflected on how their organizations moved from reactive approaches to proactive, data-driven safety strategies grounded in collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. Here were some common threads:

One of the strongest themes that surfaced throughout the discussion was that data is only as valuable as the action it inspires. Modern fleets have access to unprecedented amounts of information: telematics data, in-cab video, continuous MVR Monitoring, and predictive analytics. These tools provide incredible visibility into driver behavior and risk. But we collectively agreed that technology should never be used simply as a surveillance system. Instead, it must be treated as a coaching and learning tool – a way to help drivers understand risk, improve habits, and feel supported rather than punished.

We also reflected on how safety transformation is fundamentally about culture, not compliance. Fleets that see the greatest progress are those where safety is embedded into everyday conversations, leadership priorities, and performance expectations. This isn’t something that can be achieved through a single training session or policy update; it requires ongoing attention, reinforcement, and consistency from leaders at every level of the organization.

Communication and transparency rose to the surface in our conversation. When organizations introduce new safety programs or technology, especially for something as sensitive as in-cab cameras, communication matters just as much as implementation. Drivers need to understand why changes are happening, how data will be used, and how success will be measured. When leaders take the time to explain, listen, and engage with drivers, resistance decreases and trust increases.

Shared Responsibility Across the Organization

We also talked extensively about the balance between centralized oversight and local ownership. Strong safety programs often have clear standards and reporting at the corporate level, but real change happens in branches, regions, and teams where drivers work day-to-day. Empowering local leaders to take ownership of safety, while providing them with the right tools and data, creates accountability without creating distance.

Training First, and Then Celebrate Positive Behaviors

Throughout the discussion, we kept returning to the idea that training must come before enforcement. You cannot hold drivers accountable for behaviors they were never clearly taught or given consistent reinforcement. The most successful fleets prioritize education, coaching, and gradual behavior change before tightening thresholds or applying disciplinary measures.

Another powerful takeaway was the role of peer influence and recognition. When drivers can see how they compare to their peers, many are naturally motivated to improve, not out of fear, but out of pride and professional accountability. Recognizing strong performance can be just as impactful as addressing risky behavior, and often creates a more positive, sustainable safety culture.

Finally, we agreed that safety is never “finished.” Even fleets that achieve meaningful reductions in accidents or risky behavior must continue to evolve. New drivers join, technology changes, and risks shift. Continuous improvement is not optional—it’s the reality of modern fleet management.

Where Our Perspectives Converged

Despite coming from different organizations and roles, James, Chad, and I aligned on several core principles:

• Leadership sets the tone. If executives and regional leaders don’t prioritize safety, drivers won’t either.
• Technology enables change, but culture sustains it. Tools are important, but mindset matters more.
• Communication is non-negotiable. Drivers need clarity on what’s being measured and why.
• Training must come first. Accountability works best when expectations are clearly taught.
• Cross-functional partnership is essential. Fleet, HR, and Safety teams must work together.
• Recognition matters. Celebrating safe driving can be just as impactful as correcting risky behavior.

Seven Safety Commandments

Based on our discussion, here are the key lessons I would encourage every fleet leader to take forward to their fleets:

1. Make safety a visible, organizational priority – not just a fleet initiative.
2. Use data to coach, not to punish. Pair insights with training and positive reinforcement.
3. Engage drivers early and often when introducing new programs or technology.
4. Be transparent about what you measure and why it matters.
5. Train behaviors before enforcing them. Give drivers time to adapt.
6. Leverage peer influence in a constructive way. Healthy competition can drive improvement.
7. Review, recalibrate, evolve and communicate continuously. Safety programs should never be static.

Walking off the stage that day, I was reminded of why I do this work. Safer fleets aren’t created by dashboards or devices, they’re created by leaders who care, drivers who feel respected, and organizations willing to commit to continuous improvement. That’s what Safer Fleets Through Culture & Commitment is truly about.