How to deal with a driver facing camera?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Dark_Majesty_06, Mar 6, 2015.

  1. Dark_Majesty_06

    Dark_Majesty_06 Road Train Member

    1,072
    332
    Jun 15, 2009
    Poplar bluff, mo
    0
    Im curious how drivers deal with a camera facing you 24/7.. Only "recording" with a incident. I don't wanna hear how if I do nothing wrong, I wont notice it. Im curious how guys get used to it.
    I am considering a company with road facing and driver facing cameras but each day that passes, I just hate the idea. I mean, its like someone watching me 24/7. I didn't sign up to be a movie star but drive a truck. It just feels weird to be watched all the time. I know there isn't a person on the other end, watching me.. But its still a camera that is ready to record if the critical event trigger is set off. I font even know what a critical event would consist of. Maybe hitting the rumble strip or is it more like a certain speed being exceeded?
    I guess I am asking if anyone felt like me and some how got used to it? If you did, how did it work or how long did it takes for you to be comfortable with the camera? Thanks a lot and sorry if it sounds like im rambling.
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. hvacker

    hvacker Light Load Member

    96
    93
    Jan 8, 2015
    everywhere, NC
    0
    Myself, I couldn't put myself in that situation. I am camera shy enough as it is. But I have trust issues naturally, and private by nature. So I definately couldn't live with that scenario.
     
  4. Pedigreed Bulldog

    Pedigreed Bulldog Road Train Member

    7,740
    14,412
    May 7, 2011
    0
    Personally? I'd tell them to find somebody else to drive their truck if they insisted upon a camera being pointed in my direction. If they have trouble finding drivers BECAUSE of the cameras, the cameras won't last long. Plenty of companies out there that DON'T violate your privacy to bother with the few that do.
     
  5. unknown_substance

    unknown_substance Light Load Member

    58
    25
    Sep 22, 2014
    0
    If you're not making payments on that truck then you just deal with it or look for a company that will let you dictate to them.
     
  6. Dark_Majesty_06

    Dark_Majesty_06 Road Train Member

    1,072
    332
    Jun 15, 2009
    Poplar bluff, mo
    0
    That's how im feeling. Everything else about the company is good but in all honesty.. I believe they ARE loosing drives because of cameras and now they are lowering their standards just to fill the seats. I have a improper passing from 2 years ago and I put my application in, before I knew about cameras and I was approved to work there the next morning.
    I know you have to buck up if its what you want and take the bad with the good.. But im like you all.. I don't need a camera facing me. Im adult enough to make the right decisions. Its pitiful how other folks have ruined it for the rest of us.
     
  7. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

    14,962
    29,144
    Oct 3, 2011
    Longview, TX
    0
    I've never dealt with them, and never would. But I think it's important to know that these are always "recording" but during normal operation, older data chunks are deleted and replaced with newer data chunks. They are waiting for the accelerometer to tell the device to save the last/current video file so that it won't be over-written. Bottom line is you could probably drive into the yard, and certain shop personnel could probably go in and view the current and previous video files. So make sure you have your seat belt on and not fiddling with things you should't be fiddling with before going into a terminal.

    How much history they retain is hard to say, I suppose it would be up to the carrier. I also suppose it would be up to the carrier to have a company protocol or policy to deal with video when there was not a crash or "hard braking event", but rather just to "check up on you". I suppose some carriers could use this "tool" to get rid of under-performing drivers but it looks like there are more conventional means to get shed of these drivers. But, perhaps carriers have decided that video proof of violation of forbidden actions (strictly forbidden in company handbook as an offense that would warrant immediate termination) are hard to fight in cases of unemployment application denial cases.

    It's a sad state of affairs that it has come to this with some carriers. Just know what they do, how they operate, and make sure these are well covered in the company policy (employee handbook) and there are no vague areas in how they can or can not be used against/for a driver.

    But also, they could prove you were NOT doing anything wrong (or forbidden or unlawful) in the event of an accident, (used to protect you in the event of a serious accident) So they can be used in many ways, pro and con.
     
  8. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

    22,474
    20,134
    Jul 19, 2008
    Sioux City,ia
    0
    Do these cameras only control your movements while driving?
     
  9. hvacker

    hvacker Light Load Member

    96
    93
    Jan 8, 2015
    everywhere, NC
    0
    The thing is, there are way to many companies and available jobs out here to have to resort to working for outfits like that. Sure it's their truck, and their company. But you have the freedom of choice. To me no amount of money is worth selling my soul or my privacy.
     
  10. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

    22,474
    20,134
    Jul 19, 2008
    Sioux City,ia
    0
    If they control the sleeper area all they would be seeing is dark because I would cover it.How would those office ppl like a camera facing them every second of the day.
     
  11. Judge

    Judge Road Train Member

    11,026
    70,595
    Mar 19, 2014
    Newport, Ar
    0
    Drive around in no shirt and tighty whiteys, but keep your boots on, cause you're supposed to have 'hard sole shoes on while driving' and chew on one of those big cigars, ramble on about nothing, noone will question what you say..
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.