Motive has announced the launch of a new suite of artificial intelligence–driven driver safety features aimed at identifying early warning signs of dangerous driving and helping prevent accidents before they occur. The latest capabilities include Lane Swerving Detection, Smoking Detection, and Forward Parking Detection, all designed to provide real-time insight into behaviors that often precede serious roadway incidents.
The new AI-powered tools are built to give both drivers and fleet managers greater visibility into risky behaviors as they happen, allowing for faster intervention and proactive coaching. By identifying subtle but critical indicators of unsafe driving, Motive aims to reduce collisions, improve driver awareness, and address the growing road-safety challenge facing fleets worldwide.
“The road-safety crisis has been intensifying for years, and it requires technology that can keep pace with the risks drivers face every day,” said Hemant Banavar, chief product officer at Motive. “We are rapidly deploying advanced AI models that surface early and reliable signs of danger before they escalate into catastrophic events. These new detection capabilities allow behaviors that once went unnoticed to be identified in real time, giving drivers and managers the opportunity to address issues and prevent collisions.”
One of the most significant additions is Lane Swerving Detection, which is available on all Motive AI dashcams. Lane swerving is a known indicator of driver fatigue and distraction and plays a role in nearly 79% of fatigue-related crashes. The feature identifies repeated lane deviations and flags instances where a vehicle swerves three or more times within a five-minute window while traveling above 50 miles per hour. These events are grouped into a single safety timeline, providing managers with a clear view of risky patterns and enabling quicker, more effective coaching. Real-time alerts are sent to managers, with driver alerts planned for a future release.
Smoking Detection is another new capability, designed to address a commonly overlooked but hazardous behavior. Research shows that higher smoking rates are associated with increased vehicle fatalities, as lighting, holding, and disposing of a cigarette can distract drivers for an average of 12 seconds. The risk is even greater in hazardous materials operations, where smoking can lead to fires or explosions. Available on Motive’s dual-facing AI dashcam, the feature detects when a driver is holding or smoking a cigarette for more than five seconds while the vehicle is traveling at speeds above 5 miles per hour. Immediate in-cab alerts discourage the behavior, while notifications to safety managers support timely follow-up and enforcement.
The third addition, Forward Parking Detection, focuses on reducing low-speed collisions in parking areas. Nearly 9% of pedestrian fatalities in parking lots occur during vehicle backup incidents. This feature identifies when a vehicle backs out after being parked head-first, helping organizations promote safer parking practices. Managers receive real-time alerts for coaching, while drivers can review the events in the Motive Driver app to reinforce safer habits.
“Safety is our top priority,” said John Riddle, regional safety manager at The Dana Companies. “Motive’s AI has transformed our ability to see and address risky behaviors. Before using Motive, many of these issues went unnoticed. Now, we can coach drivers early and prevent problems before they turn into serious incidents.”
