Cameras, culture and care – how VT Transport is reducing driver fatigue events
Guardian technology helps Auckland transport operator reduce mobile phone use and support driver wellbeing.
Organisation overview
Based in East Tamaki in Auckland, VT Transport Ltd operates a fleet of almost 60 trucks servicing customers across New Zealand, with a strong presence in the building and construction sector. The business transports everything from steel, frames, trusses and general freight, using vehicles ranging from Class 2 trucks through to Class 5 semis with Hiab-mounted cranes.
​
Under the leadership of Operations and Health and Safety Manager Jeremy Shute, VT Transport recently achieved a 100% SiteWise audit score following two consecutive years of SiteWise Gold accreditation.
​
With approximately 85 staff operating across varying shifts and start times, VT Transport has made fatigue management a growing priority across the business.
Facing fatigue head-on
Like many transport operators, VT Transport recognised that fatigue and distraction can affect drivers across all types of transport work - from line haul journeys through to busy urban deliveries with constant competing demands on attention.
​
The business began exploring fatigue technology after recognising just how difficult fatigue can be to detect before an incident occurs.
​
“Through conversations with NZI around fatigue management, we were encouraged to trial Guardian cameras and they funded our first units through the Fleet Fit programme,” says Shute.
​
“That trial was a turning point for us - it showed us that fatigue events can happen even when drivers believe they’re okay to keep driving.
​
“It gave us visibility we didn’t have before and shaped the programme we’ve rolled out since.
​
Technology with real-world impact
VT Transport initially trialled two Guardian by Seeing Machines driver-monitoring cameras through AutoSense, funded through the NZI Fleet Fit programme, before expanding the technology across approximately 10 line haul trucks.
​
Guardian uses in-cab technology to monitor fatigue and distraction, issuing real-time seat vibrations and audible alerts when risky behaviour is detected.
​
While fatigue management was the primary motivation for installing the technology, the business has also seen benefits from Guardian’s distraction detection capabilities.
​
Guardian data comparing the year to 31 March 2025 with the year to 31 March 2026 showed:
-
Fatigue events reduced by 32 percent.
-
Early drowsiness detections in the past year - which the newer technology can now detect.
Over time, Shute says the cameras have helped reinforce more attentive driving across the fleet.
​
“The cameras create awareness,” he says. “Drivers know if they’re showing signs of fatigue or distracted, the system will pick it up - and that changes behaviour.”
​
Supporting drivers, not policing them
“To make sure all our staff get home safely every day is our number one priority. If we’re looking after our drivers properly, we’re helping make the roads safer for everyone.”
Jeremy Shute, VT Transport Operations and H&S Manager
Shute says building trust with drivers was one of the most important parts of the rollout.
​
“We explained to our drivers that we don’t sit there watching driving footage all day,” he says. “We only receive short clips if there’s a fatigue or distraction event, so there has to be a reason for us to review anything.
​
“That was a huge reassurance for our drivers around privacy.”
The business actively follows up fatigue alerts, with Shute or the fleet manager reviewing incidents and checking directly on drivers’ wellbeing.
​
“If I think it’s a real fatigue event, I’ll contact the driver straight away and tell them to pull over and have a break,” he says.
The technology also helped identify an underlying sleep-related health condition affecting one of VT Transport’s drivers after repeated fatigue events were detected. Working with AutoSense Fatigue and Sleep Specialist Katrina Aubrey, subsequent sleep testing confirmed sleep apnoea, allowing the driver to receive further support and treatment.
​
“Since treatment, we haven’t had another fatigue event from that driver.
Safety culture from the top down
Over the past three years, VT Transport has continued strengthening its broader safety systems and policies, including working with AutoSense to review and further develop its Safe Driving Policy.
​
Shute says AutoSense has played an important role in shaping the company’s thinking around driver wellbeing and safety procedures.
​
“The new technology and the conversations around fatigue have helped build a much stronger safety culture within the business.​​ We do it for everybody’s safety - not just our business, but for our employees, their families, and everybody else sharing the road.”
​
Paul Fossi, AutoSense National Sales Manager, says VT Transport has embraced a proactive approach to fatigue management and driver care.
​
“Jeremy and the team genuinely care about their drivers and are always looking at ways to improve safety outcomes,” says Fossi.​ "They’ve taken what they’ve learned through Guardian and embedded it into the wider culture of the business.”