Camera question

Forward-facing cameras without volume are fine.

Driver-facing cameras are not. They are creepy. The argument that you aren't doing anything wrong so you don't need to worry is completely beside the point. If I have a camera staring at me, regardless of what the company tries to tell me... oh, don't worry, it only turns on during this or that.. it doesn't matter. It would drive me nuts.

 

Ok here is what I think, they are good to have, more the better.

Just this past 12 months, I was going into litigation a couple times which came from one lawyers firm that advertises on bill boards and when the cases were in the discovery phase, camera footage forced dropping the cases.

The worst one was a claim that the truck made a lane change without any indication when the truck was at the end of an on ramp and someone on the on ramp hit the truck, and got almost wedged under the trailer. Tore up the trailer and did a lot of damage to the truck. My driver did right.

The footage showed the truck in the lane a mile before the interchange where this happened, no lane change made, it showed the car driver speeding up and my driver slowing down to put more distance between the truck and car, so to have more than enough room to merge safely. But then it showed the driver for no reason slowing down causing the car to be right at the drive tires at the end of the on ramp.

The side cameras shows the impact which it appears the driver wanted to run into the truck, didn’t attempt to get on the shoulder, while on the other side it shows there was no where for my driver to go.

Both drivers didn’t get a ticket but we were served within 20 days of the accident, and it was dropped a day after they got the footage.

this is why we have cameras.

 

I still am opposed to rearward facing cameras, on this, I will never waver. However, were I still active I would have two views recorded whenever I was driving. One is ahead and the other is focused on my right side California mirror. I too know of some cases that were dropped after an attorney was given video. I was discussing this topic over breakfast a few days ago. Attorneys that specialize in tort law in regard to Commercial Vehicles are becoming more and more aware of these videos. While I am on the subject, I know of a situation where a frivolous lawsuit backfired and the plaintiffs had to pay legal bills. I'm all for cameras, just not the ones facing the driver!

 

They record in audio as well. They are evasive and anti privacy. If law enforcement cannot tell from skid marks, testimony, witnesses, damages to the vehicles, they can mount the cameras out on the bumper in a safety box. There are probably hidden cameras in the cab someplace anyways, or audio recorders. I wouldn't be suprised.

 

I’ve recorded this entire thread.