Companies currently using driver cameras...

I think I saw that driver at the Petersboro T/A

 

Ok I'm dressed in my flame resistant suit and ready to take the wrath that is going to be unleashed on me but here it goes.
I personally see no problem with driver facing cameras. I think we can all agree on the outward aspect it's the ones facing the driver that have everyone upset. Just to be clear my company doesn't even use any cameras at this point but some form of camera is necessary for the protection not only of the company but driver. Too many people doing things and trucks are considered easy targets to sue.

Here's my take on the ones facing the driver. Lytx which use to be called DriveCam has one that is an event recorder. Should something trigger an event, it takes 4 seconds I believe of the driver before the event and 8 seconds after the event.

(I should mention that they now have a new system where a fleet manager can log in and monitor in real time a driver. I disagree with those. I distinguish between an event recorder and a monitor).

We all make mistakes, we all have bad habits to some extent or another. I was talking to a friend the other day who use to play Division 1 football. I asked him if he used to have to watch videos of their games. He said it was constant. I'm sure other sports do the same. Now if an accident occurs or any other of the million things out there that aren't even your fault, how you react is key. If something does happen, not just in trucks but in life, we usually replay the incident in our head over and over wondering what could we have done differently.
So to me it is not an invasion of privacy (4 seconds triggered by an event) it's more of a tool that I see can only help. Every single industry, well a lot have some sort of retraining or recertification. A CPA, a Stock Broker, School teachers, etc all have to take some form of continuing education class to maintain their license. Truck driving is a more physically technical job then the aforementioned professions. I guess like the football example I used before. If you messed up on a play or even found a technique that worked you would want to see it again and study it to use it to your advantage.

I see many many upsides and very few downsides to these things. Further I know for a fact you do not get a discount on your insurance. You may have more companies that are willing to insure you and competition as we unfortunately know in this business brings costs down so in a way I guess you can get a "discount" but I personally look at it just another modern tool that as I said has more upsides than downsides.

Ok that's my opinion, and my opinion only. As I said the company I work for doesn't even have any cameras at this point. They will reimburse you if you buy a dashcam and turn in the receipt but it's not mandatory. But I'm ready for the backlash.

 

System transport has them also

 

We have them and I forgot it was there about 10 minutes down the road. It is not live so no one can actively monitor me. The Safety Manager has the key to actually come out and unlock the camera and take it inside so he could review the on board data disc. He told me that he only takes them out when there is a traffic accident. I believe him. It is a non issue at this company.

 

us xpress just started testing them (about 3 weeks ago) in 25 truckes

 

No wrath from me. It's just an opinion, which we all have. My opinion, however, is that while I have NO PROBLEM with a forward facing camera, the driver facing cam is just wrong. I really can't see any benefit to the driver from one that faces inward at the driver.

The forward facing one can and will exonerate a driver if an incident or accident is not his or her fault. An inward facing one is probably going to hang a driver more than it will help them. Have an incident when you're reaching for a drink, lighting a cigarette, etc, which are normal things we all do daily, and the lawyers are (and safety department) is going to have a field day with it.

I can see why you're defending an inward facing camera. You're corporate administration most likely. As for me, a lowly driver, I feel that the inward facing camera is just too intrusive.

And I'll close again (just so everyone knows where I stand) with the fact that I have NO PROBLEM with, and actually SUPPORT the idea of the forward facing camera, just not the inward facing one.

 

Corporate administration? Man I don't even know how to wear a tie. I am in the office now though but started in a truck. Drove in all states (except Vermont I think). If I were driving I would want an inward facing one for the reasons I stated above. Anything to help me drive safer I would accept. And believe me I was one of those that worked quietly, stayed off the CB, didn't want to talk to dispatch, just wanted to hear my next load come over and stayed to myself. But I truly believe that if any flaws I have can be pointed out then I'm all for it. I don't want to die or be killed over a job.

 

You're already dead my friend.

 

So without a camera in the truck you can't do the job and will surely die? Now I've heard it all.

 

Two weeks ago they installed camera in "my" truck and now I show them finger whenever I get upset.