With the technology available today, onboard cameras can not only be a useful training tool with live telematics but a way to defend companies and their drivers in court. With companies like SureCam and Lytx providing camera systems geared for the trucking industry, it can be the deciding factor of being able to settle claims or provide a valuable defense in court. According to TTNews, they have found that in some cases, insurers are willing to provide some cost subsidizing, knowing there is video evidence available to help defend in court.
DRIVER COACHING
One of the toughest jobs motor carriers have is to supervise drivers. Dash cams allow supervisors to observe a driver’s performance — both good and bad— and use actual footage to coach the driver.
Being able to see what the driver is seeing in order to address any mistakes, identify hazards, and praise good decisions makes driver coaching much easier. It also gives the driver instant feedback using hard data rather than assumptions. Seeing their actual mistakes, for example, is a much more effective tool for changing behavior. New drivers can benefit from seeing actual footage as well, instead of theoretical scenarios.
DRIVER MOTIVATION
A study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in 2014 showed that the use of telematics and driver monitoring systems, such as video event recorders, improved driver behavior behind the wheel.
As drivers are increasingly aware that they are being monitored, they are more motivated to focus on driving and not be seen engaging in unsafe behaviors, like talking or texting on the phone while driving.
DRIVER EXONERATION
With the risk of litigation threatening motor carriers — even when their trucks are not involved in a crash — dash cams are proving to be vital pieces of equipment in their defense against fraudulent claims.
Dash cams, and especially trucks with multi-camera systems installed that provide a 360-degree view around the truck, can be used in incident reviews and litigation to demonstrate that a driver was not at fault, exonerating the driver involved in a crash, or exposing a scam. And in the long-run, help prevent rising trucking insurance costs.
CALL TO ACTION
- Conduct a cost analysis to determine the price of installing dash cameras fleet-wide.
- Evaluate current driver coaching practices for effectiveness and identify areas needing improvement.
- Solicit feedback from the operations team, including drivers, on the use of dash cameras.
With a challenging trucking insurance market, it’s important to use all tools at your disposal to keep costs in check. As always, the trucking insurance professionals at The Daniel & Henry Company are here to help you understand what measures you can take to reduce risk and insurance costs. Please call us today at 1-877-406-5915 or email us at ClaytonD@danielandhenry.com
