Motive, the AI-powered integrated operations platform, announced the launch of Motive Roadside Assistance, a comprehensive 24/7/365 roadside support service designed to improve driver safety and operational efficiency.

Available through a strategic partnership with Roadzen’s National Automobile Club (NAC), Motive Roadside Assistance connects commercial drivers to more than 75,000 roadside assistance providers across the U.S. and Canada.

“We are not leveraging AI capabilities in the roadside assistance services, but rather the service number is integrated into the Motive Driver app, and fleet managers can see vehicle location at all times through integrated telematics data,” a company spokesperson said.

The integration allows Motive customers to request roadside assistance directly from the app beginning in mid December 2024, rather than having to find the phone number from other documents. Drivers dial “Roadside Assistance” from within the app to receive support.

Winter Holiday Road Hazards and Year-Round Support

The holiday season is the most dangerous time of year for drivers, as shown by Motive’s 2024 Holiday Outlook Report. Roads are particularly perilous around Christmas, with a 32% increase in accidents compared to the rest of December and the highest crash rate among all holidays.

In 2023, the week leading up to Christmas saw a 10% increase in speeding events. Additionally, winter weather exacerbates risks, with 65.5% of Christmas collisions occurring on wet or snowy roads.

Every year, 5-10% of NAC’s commercial vehicles require roadside assistance, and every minute of roadside downtime increases risks to driver safety while reducing fleet productivity.

With the introduction of integrated roadside assistance, Motive offers access to reliable help when needed most — especially during the holiday season when time lost can mean increased risks and missed opportunities.

“While our north star is to prevent accidents through instant and precise AI-powered risk detection, it is just as important we protect drivers and reduce risk when accidents do happen,” Jai Ranganathan, chief product officer at Motive, said. “Our new roadside assistance service powered by the trusted expertise of NAC further strengthens our collision response by getting drivers the help they need faster, even in remote, hard-to-reach locations.”

Motive Roadside Assistance: Fast Action Better Protects Drivers

Although commercial fleets with heavy-duty vehicles and semi-trucks have complex mechanics that require large-scale towing, tire repair, and fuel delivery, fleets with passenger cars, vans, and light-duty trucks can still benefit from the service.

Motive’s AI technology, combined with NAC’s extensive roadside assistance network, meets the unique requirements of commercial vehicles so fleets can ensure drivers and cargo are protected. Specific offerings include:

• Enhanced Safety: Quick response times minimize downtime and keep drivers safe, especially during dangerous weather and heavy traffic.

• Fast and Reliable Service: Drivers can request immediate assistance for heavy-duty towing, jump starts, tire changes, fuel delivery, lock-out assistance, winching, and more. Requests can easily be made directly from the Motive Driver App, with an average call answer time under 20 seconds and service arrival time within 60 minutes. 

• Extensive Coverage: Nationwide coverage across the U.S. and Canada ensures support for drivers wherever their routes take them.

• Cost Savings and No Hidden Fees: Motive customers can expect 15-20% savings on roadside assistance costs, with additional discounts available for Motive Card users. Customers only pay for services used, unlike other solutions with monthly service fees.

• Improved Driver Satisfaction: Knowing they have reliable support reduces stress and boosts morale for drivers on the road.

How Motive Advances Driver Safety With AI

Motive’s technology detects 99% of severe collisions within seconds, and customers can use its AI to monitor and protect drivers wherever they are. Earlier this year, Motive launched a first responder service for drivers of commercial vehicles that expedites emergency response in the event of a severe collision.

The feature ensures drivers receive immediate help when a collision is detected by quickly dispatching emergency services while helping to reduce fatalities and severe injuries. 

New AI-powered enhancements to Motive’s Driver Safety product combat driver fatigue, which contributes to nearly 100,000 accidents, 800 fatalities, and 50,000 injuries annually.

Motive’s AI-powered Drowsiness Detection detects early and late signs of drowsy driving, including frequent yawning and eyes closed. In addition, the new Forward Collision Warning AI helps prevent rear-end crashes, which, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), account for 29% of all crashes, by alerting drivers to brake when a driver approaches another vehicle ahead of them too quickly.

The platform integrates card transactions, fleet management, and telematics data, allowing fleet managers to see vehicle locations at any time, including when utilizing the Roadside Assistance feature.

According to a company spokesperson, Motive is exploring expansion opportunities outside of the U.S. and Canada.