A group of drivers in Canada has won a court case which will force their carrier to keep driver-facing cameras out of trucks where they’re not wanted. While this ruling only currently applies to one company, lawsuits over privacy and intimidation could spread to other carriers both in Canada and in the United States.
In 2012, Sysco Quebec started installing driver-facing cameras in their trucks. These DriveCam cameras supposedly only stored a few seconds of video before and after certain safety events, but they were constantly recording. Drivers even reported that the cameras would randomly record events throughout the day when no incident had occurred.
Soon, a group of about 70 drivers filed complaints about the cameras. Their battle would last five years, but ended late last month with a ruling from the Quebec Superior Court which sided with the drivers.
The drivers’ union filed a lawsuit against the company. In it the drivers argued that the cameras violated their privacy and made them feel intimidated. The union claimed that the cameras led to unfair and unreasonable working conditions.
One 30-veteran driver who was part of the lawsuit objected to the cameras in part because it was always filming, and not just when driving. “The cabin of our truck, it is a bit like our house,” he said according to the Sherbrooke Times. “We eat there, we change… so this is not very pleasant to be filmed all the time.”
Arguing in favor of the cameras, Sysco claimed their were justified for three main reasons:
- They could be used as a training tool for drivers
- They would encourage safe driving habits
- They would help determine fault in the event of an accident
But Judge Benedict Moore ruled against the company, holding up the decision from a lower-court Arbitrator.
Carriers in the US are beginning to adopt driver-facing cameras more and more. And while the drivers and case were Canadian, drivers here have many of the same complaints – chief among them, a concern for their right to privacy.
This was far from a blanket ruling, but it could give hope to some drivers here in the US who don’t like the idea of a camera being pointed at them day and night.
Source: livetrucking, sherbrooktimes, employmentandlabour
It is an encroachment on the privacy and civil liberties of the drivers. Period. It needs to stop!!
Companies just want it to avoid costly lawsuits, but drivers right to privacy “goes out the window” and begs the unreasonable search and seizure aspect of the US Constitution.
Hang your hat over the camera…oops…
That does nothing but get you fired once they catch on to that trick. Get into any type of accident and once they go to check the footage and see you covered the camera you will be gone.
Get ready WALMART here come LAW Suits and here comes the much needed UNION for WALMART…!!! Sysco Distribution in some locations in Florida (Miami) voted ✅ Yes to Unionize and now getting set up for Orlando and Jacksonville. Cameras Outside facing forward and mounted looking down both sides – No Problem! Cameras facing drivers only in sleeper trucks especially NEVER! I can only imagine the creepy person behind the authority to look at drivers on there rest break or changing!
Thats what you call crossing the line literally. Thats not only invasion of ones privacy, but good luck in trying to find someone to work for you under those conditions. Ridiculous!!!
Companies and the damm government are getting way out of hand with us driver’s, i wonder what will happen if we all stop our trucks for a week, just a week, maybe we need to something like that soon , the DOT out there is nothing but abusing with the driver’s, I’m more than happy to stop my truck if i have to, then we’ll see what they are going to do for food ,gas and everything we transport in this nation, count me in,
I agree 100%, but when was the last time you’ve seen more than a handful of drivers agree on anything?
You don’t need a week. One day would shut it down. But UPS and FEDEX may not join
I’d agree to a week shut down..
The stupid things don’t need to be in there. Period. If they can’t figure out what happened with outboard facing cameras, ECM reports, witness testimony, investigative techniques, etc. then tough. I absolutely refuse to have one installed in my truck and once they try, I am gone. That’s not just some empty threat, that’s a promise you can take to the bank.
And to all you drivers that are drinking the Kool-Aid and sucking up all this crap your company is telling you then you are what’s wrong with this industry. Grow a pair and for once take a stand for yourselves and for all the other drivers out here. Why do you think all these recent regulations keep getting crammed down our throats? It’s because of people like you that have no backbone and roll over like the cowards you are and refuse to stick together as a whole.
A driver facing camera with audio has absolutely NOTHING to do with safety. It has everything to do with a company covering their own ass. If you do something you’re not supposed to be doing that leads up to an accident, whether you are at fault or not, that company is going to immediately say, “Well, that’s against our policy, so you are fired.” It’s just another way to use you as a scapegoat so they can tell their insurance company and customers they took immediate action and terminated you and that the world is right once again.
Seriously, don’t be a jellyfish, grow a spine and lets put this crap to bed before it’s too late.
Brilliant!
Bang On Rayzer
I wrote this for Drivers about pay but it applies to all workers…in all situations and it is appropriate for this issue too..no just money which is my issue… being paid for all of the work that you do on the behalf of the company…loading…. unloading pre trip…post trip…layovers…fueling …all of the work
People just don’t seem to get it…..The company will pay you ..The Employee…Just as little as they can…They have to….
The companies are not evil for paying minimum…They are just fulfilling their fiduciary responsibilities under the Current Capitalistic System….They are just doing their job…to obtain everything at the lowest cost for the shareholders….Fuel… Tires …Maintenance….Insurance …Utilities …..Equipment …And Of Course…LABOR….
It is going Against their responsibilities to the shareholders …To pay any more than the minimum…For anything…They Will Not and Should Not pay any more for Anything than they have to….
The welfare of the Employees is NOT Their Concern or Their Responsibility….Hence The Need For A Union….Because The Employees Choose Not to Organize…(Surely Their Right!)….The Company Has to Pay them as little as possible to remain competitive…
WHY Do You Think People Formed Unions in the first place?…
Until and unless people get smart enough to support Unions again….They bring NOTHING To The Bargaining Table!…
You Can’t Have It Both Ways!…..Either Join or Form A Union….Or …Be Happy With The Crumbs They Throw You …..And Quit Your Bitching!..
I saw a Great bumper sticker…..Together We Bargain….Separate We Beg!…
If they have driver facing cameras are these companies going to pay the attorneys fees for the driver in the event of an accident. Also if we have self driving trucks who gets blamed for the accident? The human who has to be in the truck or just the truck?
Lol
Of course the human em…..driver
Hang ’em high!!
Ryder Canada just installed driver facing cameras in their trucks. Avoid this company.
Become an 0 & O. Then lease back to the company. Problem solved.
I just put my notice in at the company I work for here in Canada it not only intimidates the driver they nit-pic your driving to the max I’ve been driving commercially for over 30 years 2 tickets and 0 accidents and they tell me I’m a HRE high risk employee because of my driving we can’t drink eat or smoke in our trucks (I don’t smoke) they watch us all the time while driving