National Transport Insurance (NTI) has teamed up with technology developer Seeing Machines to reduce accidents caused by driver distraction and fatigue.

The tech group has developed in-cab sensors that monitor driver alertness and activate audio alarms and seat vibrators, while data collection and transmission help fleet managers with safety strategies.

“Together, we are looking beyond building workplaces that have safety policies and procedures in place and are venturing into new territory that utilises real-time, reactive safety technology to manage driver distraction and fatigue,” NTI Chief Customer Officer Christopher Hogarty said.

The partnership also paves the way for research opportunities and data collaboration to gain insurance and risk-related insights.

Seeing Machines GM Fleet Paul McGlone says his company works closely with insurers in several countries.

“Partnering with NTI in Australia will open significant opportunities to accelerate growth in our fleet business locally and create new information-based collaboration and services,” he said.

NTI’s latest Major Accident Investigation Report shows the proportion of losses attributed to fatigue fell to 14.8% in 2017 from 21.4% in 2015, driven by a sharp reduction in Victoria.

But losses from driver action and behaviour overall – including fatigue, inappropriate speed and errors – continued to dominate, remaining steady at about 54% since 2009.

The proportion of large losses involving multiple vehicles continued to grow, increasing by 12% on 2015 data to represent 37% of losses. More than 40% of fatigue losses occur between midnight and 6am, according to NTI’s National Truck Accident Research Centre report.