The Hidden Cost of Harsh Braking in Your Fleet

When you think of dangerous driving behavior, you might imagine speeding or texting behind the wheel. But there’s another silent risk happening in your fleet every day—harsh braking.

It might not sound as flashy as other infractions, but the data doesn’t lie: harsh braking events are a red flag for much bigger problems. And ignoring them could cost your company far more than you realize.

What Is Harsh Braking, Really?

Harsh braking occurs when a driver slams on the brakes too quickly, typically decelerating at a rate higher than 8 mph per second. While sometimes it's necessary to avoid an accident, in many cases, it’s the result of:

• Distracted driving

• Tailgating

• Aggressive driving habits

• Failure to anticipate road conditions

Harsh braking is more than a momentary jolt—it’s a signal that something isn’t right behind the wheel.

Why Harsh Braking Is a Big Deal

Let’s break down the ripple effects of frequent hard stops in your fleet:

1. Safety Risks Skyrocket

Harsh braking events are closely linked to near-misses and actual collisions. Drivers who frequently brake hard are often not scanning the road ahead or driving aggressively. Over time, this behavior dramatically increases the chances of rear-end accidents—putting your drivers, vehicles, and brand reputation at risk.

2. Higher Maintenance Costs

Hard stops don’t just wear out brakes. They accelerate wear on tires, suspension, and drivetrain components. Multiply that across your entire fleet and you’ve got a recipe for higher downtime and maintenance bills. Prevention is a lot cheaper than repair.

3. Fuel Efficiency Drops

Aggressive driving behavior—including harsh braking and rapid acceleration—can reduce fuel economy by up to 30%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. In a time of rising fuel costs, that’s a hit your bottom line can’t afford to ignore.

4. Insurance Premiums Can Rise

More incidents and claims = higher premiums. Insurers are paying closer attention to driving behavior, and telematics data is often used to evaluate risk. Fleets with a pattern of harsh driving events may see increased costs—or difficulty getting covered.

What Can You Do About It?

Here’s the good news: harsh braking is preventable, and with the right tools, you can turn risky behavior into safer driving.

At Can-Am Telematics, we equip fleets with advanced solutions like Geotab, Surfsight dash cams, and real-time driver behavior alerts. These tools allow you to:

• Monitor harsh braking and other risky driving events

• Receive alerts in real-time through the MyGeotab dashboard

• Coach drivers with video-based feedback (powered by Surfsight)

• Use data to create safety scorecards and incentives

• Reduce your overall accident rate and fleet costs

Data Turns Insight into Action

Harsh braking data isn’t just numbers on a report—it’s a window into driver behavior and a starting point for improvement.

One of our customers cut their harsh braking incidents by 42% in just six months using our integrated telematics and coaching system. The result? Fewer accidents, lower maintenance costs, and a safer fleet culture across the board.

Ready to Reduce Risk?

Let’s face it—harsh braking might be invisible to the naked eye, but it leaves a trail. With Can-Am Telematics, you can spot it, stop it, and build a safer, more efficient fleet from the ground up.

Talk to us today to see how we can help you take control of driver behavior—before it costs you more than you bargained for.