Inward facing camera a deal breaker?

Audio to me would be worse than a driver facing camera. They can look all they want imo, but they should not listen.

 

I don't mind the inward facing cameras much, I'll be honest. I understand all the points that people don't like about them, but I also see entirely too many drivers out here ####ing around with their phone in rush hour traffic surrounded by cars. For what it's worth, I've never been hassled about a near miss at both companies I've been at that had them - they always say they never watch it until there's a major accident, and that does seem to be the case.

I'm no perfect driver, but there's levels to this, and there's way too many reckless drivers out there that could come up with any excuse in the book, when it's their own negligence. It's the same story with E-Logs - only came about because O/Os in the 80s snorted themselves so silly they started killing people passing out at the wheel. I'm just saying maybe it's a benefit the cameras could start weeding out the steering wheel holders.

I agree with 201773 - audio would be a way bigger issue than just video.

 

Who cares about a camera. You get paid to do a job so just do it. It’s not your equipment either so why get a say. If you worked at a warehouse or any other place, they’re watching you all day too. No difference. If safety and management is micromanaging for things they see on there, then it’s time to find another trucking company. Not all companies are constantly watching you. Just gotta find the right one.

 

I care but as an O/O its not an issue anymore for us.


The real problem is that if there is an accident any good shark lawyer will be so happy you have the driver facing camera. Any eye or hand movements will be scrutinized and labeled a distraction.

I’ll say it again, there is no upside, legally, to the driver with regards to a driver facing camera.

 

Now it makes sense why you're all in on Driver Facing Cameras...

 

"The amount of bull I'm willing to endure is directly proportional to the amount of money I'm making."
-someone who isn't me.

Anyways, my price would be about 100k/year.

 

I'm now dealing with the moral implication struggle of these cameras. 15 years out there OTR without a hitch. Found this company 4 years ago and simply Loved them as they stood apart from the status quo and "industry Standards" type thinking. At the start, they were more Old School. Now they've bought (Merged?) with another company and they're installing these cameras.

Now honestly, while I'm not thrilled with a "regular" inward facing camera, I don't really care. I've had them before. But these are not regular cameras. They're connected to and controlled by AI. (AI is a major final part of the Beast System (Think Bible) for anyone who doesn't already know) They record Video AND Audio 24/7. Every burp, fart, cough and snore along with video gets Automatically uploaded to the AI mainframe (That's the "Cloud" for all you dreamers) and stored FOREVER in a searchable database. So this isn't really about whether or not the office slugs are "actively watching you" while you drive or even if they "get a notification" about something like a seatbelt not worn, snacking or drinking a coffee. Of course that all adds up but, just like all our phones, tablets, PC's and store cameras, it's all about collecting and storing Data on YOU! 24/7 surveillance. (Think China)

It also has NOTHING to do with "Safety". Why do I say that? About 2 months ago while coming onto 20E in TX my rig was showered with gravel from a dumper rig with it's rear hatch not fully closed. It wasn't loaded but had enough scraggly in it to shower the road for miles. Ended up putting 13 stars in my windshield. Within a week or two some began walking and there's now 2 cracks. Not "quite" DOT-able yet. Now we were told a while back "the next time the truck is written up for the shop is when they'd install the cameras". 2 weeks ago I hit the yard for a 2 week vacation. I talked to the head of safety (Great guy!) and he already knew 2 things. 1) The day the camera was installed would be my last day and 2) About the windshield. I told him I can live with the windshield until it's gets worse and if they wanted to keep me making money for both us? Push that camera off for as long as possible. He said, "they won't go looking for it just to install the camera so park it in the lot across the street" which I did.

Last week I went over there to get something out of the truck and yep, they went and got it and glued that dang camera to the inside of a BROKEN WINDSHIELD!! All about "safety" eh?? LOL!

So, now today I have to decide if I'm going back. I'm homeless with not a lot in the bank and truly torn between my "secular needs" for earning money and having a place to live (the truck) and my "Moral Standards" about not allowing the BEAST to watch and listen 24/7.

Ain't life grand? LOL

 

You have had plenty of warning, yet you say today is the day you need to decide?
With 2 weeks off you probably could have been hired by a different company already. One that does not have the cameras.

 

I can appreciate your point.

Well, 3 things. First, I was on vacation. My first since I started driving so "job hunting" wasn't exactly on the itinerary. Second, as I said, by what I was told I thought I'd have another month or so turning and burning before it would be installed. Third, as I also said, I really do like the folks here and don't really want to leave which is why I'm "torn" over the whole thing. Still some soul searching going on I guess.

Another point is (without spewing all the circumstances of my life), uprooting a now 4 year routine isn't exactly a quick, easy thing to do. There's a fair amount of personal logistics involved. That said, don't think I haven't started looking around.

 

For all the hate on driver cams, I didn't want to be watched, it is safer in terms of it is a hundred times better to coach, punish, fire a driver for bad habits uncovered by the camera than wind up in court after a crash with injuries from those same bad habits.

The job belongs to the employer. Their rules count more than our opinions about their rules. Go work where the rules are better or buy your own truck.