How to deal with a driver facing camera?

Had one in mine for a while. It's amazing what a tiny sliver of duct tape can do over a camera lens.
The company finally did away with the cameras and I felt unprotected.
I went directly out and purchased my own to cover the events OUTSIDE of the cab. I have the audio turned off because I'm sure no one wants to hear me singing Twisted Sister or Trace Adkins in an e entry review. What's really important is what happened OUT THERE.

 

I just started a new local gig as a Tow Truck driver and the trucks have all sorts of cameras... they even game me a pair of su glasses and safty glasses that have a camera as well as they all record sound....

now, the main reason is because people always make false claims... from saying I scratched or dented their car, to saying I said something I didn't or threatened them... they also lie about thier actions.. so, having everything recorded is a must...

at first I thougnt it would bother me, but really it doesnt... and, at times, like during a repo or parking lot grab I am glad they are there..

when I am on a repo or parking lot grab dispatch can watch it live as it goes down and if it gets confrontational they can call and get the police in the area...

now, I realize this is a very different situation.. but, in some ways not realky... when I am driving safe and smoothly with no incident then the video I am sure is pretty boring. .

my boss has used the videos to help train me or give me tips.. like go over a tow and point things out... and in that way I think it is a very useful tool.. for both me and them...

it is also nice when I have a question the guys at the shop can see what I am dealing with better than me just trying to explain..

I also have ##. With the cameras.. like the other day on a repo and the owner was not confrontational.. just wierd.. started praying for my soul... I looked in the camera and made a few faces...

Anyway.. it doesnt really bother me and I dont feel it is an infringement of my rights... the camers are not there because they dont have faith and trust in me.. they are there to protect me from false claims of damage and such...

 

First question in court will be why did you mess with a safety device installed by your company. Its all on you at that point.


Wouldn't want to be in your shoes thats for sure.

 

Goo

it's a good thing they're my shoes.

 

I would just say I didn't want them invading my privacy. How is it a safety device ,anyway? Will it stop an accident? Do you have one in your bedroom for us to watch?

 

Its a safety device because it can ne used to correct your bad driving habits, now the company will know what your doing when you brake hard etc.. there are alot of unexplained accidents that we would all like to what the driver was doing at the time.

As far as rights? Your in someones truck working. Dont like the camera then grow a pair and buy your own truck.

Its there equipment and they can do whatever they want with it.

 

I don't like you

 

No, actually I live in that truck and the full-time nature of the job makes it more like they're renting me an apartment. I don't need them correcting any of my habits and if they feel they can't trust me with the truck then they can ask me to get out. Until that time the truck is MY living space and they can stay the hell out of it.

 

So its ok to have a camera in a day cab? But not an OTR truck? Interesting thought.


I still stand by the fact that this is a free country and we can do what we want with our own equipment. After all, thats the main reason most people buy equipment.

 

Since I don't drive a day cab , I wasn't even talking about one. You can do what you want with your truck and if I knew who you were I'd tell your employees to tell you what to do with your "equipment". If they're okay with it, I guess they can let you monitor them like a peeping tom.