A tone sounds in the cab of a Shoreside Logistics truck, a gentle “nudge” followed by a voice reminder to maintain a safe following distance. Just a few years ago, introducing a technological intervention such as telematics might have sparked tension between drivers and management. Today, it’s part of a transformation to address human factors in trucking that’s bringing drivers, safety personnel, and management closer together.
When Ken Deese advocated for installing telematics systems in Shoreside Logistics’ fleet of 125 trucks, he knew success would depend on more than just the technology – it would require a carefully orchestrated rollout focused on driver buy-in and measurable results.
For Saltchuk companies, investing in telematics demonstrates a broader commitment to safety. Saltchuk’s insurance captive offers reduced premiums to regulated and non-regulated fleets that meet technology requirements, such as telematics.
“I had it at a previous company, and we had great success in curbing dangerous behavior,” says Deese, Director of Safety and Risk Management at Shoreside Logistics. “But implementation is everything. You have to bring people along with you.”
Drawing from his decade of safety leadership experience, Deese designed a methodical three-phase approach: 30 days to collect initial data, 60 days to analyze patterns, and 90 days to develop action plans. The strategy began with company trucks in early 2023 and expanded to include independent contractors by April 2024.
The key to the rollout’s success was transparency regarding the investment and expected returns.
The system provides real-time audio alerts for behaviors like following too closely or exceeding speed limits. The system does not record a safety event if drivers self-correct after these “nudges.” “Three nudges in 12 hours create a safety event,” Deese explains. We’re catching stuff in real time to change behavior before an incident happens.”
The results have been transformative. Within six months, Shoreside saw a significant decrease in repeated safety events. The cameras have proven particularly valuable in accident investigations – less than a quarter of incidents in the past year were found to be their drivers’ fault, with video evidence helping to quickly resolve insurance claims and vindicate drivers.
“We found out within six months, it had paid for itself in vindicating driver accidents where we weren’t liable,” Deese notes. “We were doing the correct thing.”
The technology has also revealed unexpected insights about driver behavior and road conditions. Real-time alerts for following distance, speed, and harsh braking events have helped drivers develop better awareness of their habits. “After six months, we saw a huge decrease in repeated events,” Deese says. “Drivers were coming in acknowledging, ‘Hey, I didn’t realize some things I was doing.'”
This success has made Deese a valuable resource for other Saltchuk companies implementing telematics. He’s worked closely with Tropical Shipping, Hawaii Petroleum, NorthStar Energy, and CityServiceValcon, sharing lessons learned and implementation strategies.
The impact is already evident. Tropical Shipping, for example, adopted the Samsara Telematics system in 2024 and in the first year, achieved a safety score of 94 over 1.25 million miles, exceeding the Samsara Safety standard of 90.
For companies considering telematics, Deese emphasizes several key strategies:
- Start with clear communication about goals and benefits
- Use peer advocates who can speak to real experiences
- Focus on coaching rather than punishment
- Share both positive and negative examples
- Make safety scores visible to foster healthy competition
- Recognize and celebrate improvement
For Saltchuk companies, the investment in telematics reflects a broader commitment to safety culture. “We’d rather spend money rewarding drivers and investing in cameras to make us safer, than paying for repairs or fines.” Deese explains. “It’s an investment, not an expense.”