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Ted Chen is the co-founder and CEO of Lifesaver Mobile, a leading voice in fleet safety innovation with experience from Wharton to Yahoo. Ted brings a rare blend of business strategy and tech leadership to one of today’s biggest driving challenges: distracted driving. At Lifesaver Mobile, he’s helping fleets prevent phone use behind the wheel through patented real-time technology that’s reshaping how companies approach driver safety. From major partnerships to measurable impact, Ted is driving real change in an industry where phone distraction has become the number one cause of crashes.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
[3:00] How Ted’s journey from consumer to fleet safety began with his own children getting
driver’s licenses
[6:15] Why video telematics creates a false sense of security for phone distraction
[9:45] The common misconception that fleet safety technology is “all or nothing”
[12:20] How “engineered safety” eliminates choice rather than relying on willpower
[16:30] Addressing the challenge of personal device usage alongside company equipment
[22:10] The psychology behind phone addiction and why restriction-based enforcement is
necessary
[27:40] Balancing safety and productivity through configurable policies
[31:15] Using voice technology to keep drivers informed without distraction
[35:50] Building comprehensive safety programs that go beyond single-point solutions
[39:20] Practical advice for fleet managers starting new driver safety programs
In this episode…
Distracted driving continues to surge as the leading cause of fleet crashes, yet traditional solutions often fall short of meaningful prevention. Video telematics may capture risky behavior, but coaching resources are limited, and drivers consistently find ways to work around monitoring systems. With mobile devices designed to be addictive and phone usage occurring on virtually every drive, how can
fleets move beyond reactive data collection to proactive prevention that actually works?
According to Ted Chen, the answer lies in “engineered safety” solutions that eliminate choice rather than rely on willpower alone. He highlights how software-based restrictions can be configured to match any company policy while maintaining productivity, creating accountability through comprehensive reporting, and addressing the unique challenges of personal device usage alongside company equipment. Unlike other distractions, Ted explains, phone use requires restriction-based enforcement because the technology was specifically designed to be addictive — making traditional training and awareness insufficient on their own.
In this episode of Roadrageous, hosts Liam Hoch and Chad Lindholm sit down with Ted Chen, co- founder and CEO of Lifesaver Mobile, to discuss how engineered safety solutions are transforming fleet approaches to distracted driving. They explore the limitations of video telematics for phone distraction, the balance between safety and productivity through configurable policies, and strategies for addressing both company and personal device usage. Ted also shares insights on building comprehensive safety programs, the role of voice technology in real-time alerts, and practical steps fleet managers can take to create lasting change in driver behavior.
Quotable Moments:
“This is a problem born from technology, so you need to fight it with technology.”
“If you don’t coach effectively and comprehensively, that piece of video could come back and bite you.”
“Phone distraction is the number one cause of crashes, and nothing could be further from the
truth that video telematics would solve all phone distraction.”
“At the end of the day, we need enforcement through restriction as well because it’s just the most addictive distraction.”
“You can’t just check the box and say, okay, I got the camera and I’m done. That’s faulty logic.”
Action Steps:
Implement configurable restrictions: Deploy software solutions that can be customized to match your specific company policy rather than one-size-fits-all approaches.
Address personal device usage: Create structured policies for personal phones with acknowledgment processes to document compliance efforts.
Focus on forward-facing cameras: Prioritize exoneration benefits while avoiding potential liability
from driver-facing footage.
Combine technology with coaching: Use restriction-based technology alongside training
programs for comprehensive safety coverage.
Refresh voice alerts regularly: Keep safety messages engaging by rotating voices and personalizing alerts to prevent “alert fatigue.”
Build comprehensive programs: Layer telematics, video, phone restrictions, and training rather than relying on single-point solutions.
Transforming Fleet Safety Through Engineered Prevention
In a recent episode of Roadrageous, hosts Liam Hoch and Chad Lindholm welcomed Ted Chen, co-
founder and CEO of Lifesaver Mobile, to discuss the critical challenge of distracted driving and how engineered safety solutions are revolutionizing fleet management approaches.
The Personal Drive Behind Professional Solutions
Ted’s journey into fleet safety began with a deeply personal concern – his children were approaching driving age. Like many entrepreneurs, he identified a problem close to home and set out to solve it.
What started as a consumer-focused solution for teen drivers quickly evolved when fleets began calling, recognizing the potential for addressing their own phone distraction challenges.
Key Discussion Points:
The False Security of Video Telematics: Ted challenged the common industry assumption that driver-facing cameras solve phone distraction. He outlined several critical limitations: the need for driver-facing coverage creates privacy concerns, biometric legislation is expanding, view radius is physically limited, and improperly coached video evidence can become a liability rather than an asset.
Engineered Safety Philosophy: Unlike traditional approaches that rely on behavior modification after the fact, Ted’s “engineered safety” concept removes temptation entirely. The software-based platform restricts device functionality while driving, eliminating the choice to engage with phones rather than depending on driver willpower to resist designed-to-be-addictive technology.
Configuration Over Restriction: Addressing the common misconception that phone safety solutions are “all or nothing,” Ted demonstrated how modern platforms offer extensive customization. Fleets can configure everything from allowed applications to hands-free calling permissions, creating policies that balance safety with operational productivity needs.
The Personal Device Challenge: One of the most complex issues facing fleets is managing personal device usage alongside company equipment. Ted outlined best practices including offering voluntary enrollment, documenting compliance efforts, and using driver-facing cameras strategically to catch personal device violations when combined with company device restrictions.
The Science Behind Phone Addiction
A significant portion of the discussion focused on why phone distraction requires different treatment than other driving distractions. Ted explained how mobile devices were specifically engineered to trigger dopamine responses, creating addiction-like behaviors that make traditional training insufficient. Unlike drunk driving, which occurs sporadically, phone temptation is present on every single drive, creating constant risk exposure.
Technology Meets Psychology
The conversation explored innovative approaches to driver communication, including voice-based alerts that can be refreshed and personalized to prevent “alert fatigue.” By allowing fleets to use manager voices, CEO messages, or rotate different speakers, the technology maintains driver attention while delivering safety reminders.
Building Comprehensive Safety Programs
Ted emphasized that successful fleet safety requires multiple complementary technologies working together. His recommendations for resource-constrained fleets focus on forward-facing video telematics for exoneration combined with phone restriction software for proactive prevention – a combination that addresses both reactive and proactive safety needs.
Industry Collaboration and Best Practices
Throughout the discussion, Ted highlighted the collaborative nature of the fleet safety industry, where competitors readily share insights and challenges to advance overall road safety. He emphasized the importance of joining industry groups and learning from peer experiences when implementing new safety technologies.
Conclusion
The episode underscored that addressing distracted driving requires more than hope and training – it demands engineered solutions that work with human psychology rather than against it. By combining restriction-based technology with comprehensive coaching and industry best practices, fleets can move beyond reactive data collection to proactive crash prevention. Ted’s approach demonstrates that the most effective safety programs don’t just monitor driver behavior – they actively prevent risky behaviors from occurring in the first place.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Ted Chen on LinkedIn
Lifesaver Mobile
Liam Hoch on LinkedIn
Chad Lindholm on LinkedIn
IMPROVLearning
Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS)
Sponsor for this episode: This episode is brought to you by IMPROVLearning.
At IMPROVLearning, we’re dedicated to transforming driver education through innovative, research-
backed training methods. Our SPIDER™ Driver Training platform combines humor with proven brain-training techniques to help drivers anticipate and avoid potential dangers on the road. With over four million students trained, we know that learning sticks best when it’s engaging, short, and actively tested — resulting in fewer crashes, violations, and safer drivers overall.
To learn more about how IMPROVLearning.makes roads safer one driver at a time, visit
improvlearning.com.
