The transportation industry has seen a significant increase in technological advances over the past decade. From electronic logging devices and collision mitigation systems to trailer tracking and driver scorecards, technology now plays a key role in a motor carrier’s risk management strategies. One device becoming more prevalent in the trucking industry is the video event recorder.
DRIVER COACHING
One of the toughest jobs motor carriers have is to supervise drivers. Dash cams allow supervisors to observe a driver’s performance — both good and bad— and use actual footage to coach the driver.
Being able to see what the driver is seeing in order to address any mistakes, identify hazards, and praise good decisions makes driver coaching much easier. It also gives the driver instant feedback using hard data rather than assumptions. Seeing their actual mistakes, for example, is a much more effective tool for changing behavior. New drivers can benefit from seeing actual footage as well, instead of theoretical scenarios.
DRIVER MOTIVATION
A study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in 2014 showed that the use of telematics and driver monitoring systems, such as video event recorders, improved driver behavior behind the wheel.
As drivers are increasingly aware that they are being monitored, they are more motivated to focus on driving and not be seen engaging in unsafe behaviors, like talking or texting on the phone while driving.
DRIVER EXONERATION
With the risk of litigation threatening motor carriers — even when their trucks are not involved in a crash — dash cams are proving to be vital pieces of equipment in their defense against fraudulent claims.
Dash cams, and especially trucks with multi-camera systems installed that provide a 360-degree view around the truck, can be used in incident reviews and litigation to demonstrate that a driver was not at fault, exonerating the driver involved in a crash, or exposing a scam.
CALL TO ACTION
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Conduct a cost analysis to determine the price of installing dash cameras fleet-wide.
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Evaluate current driver coaching practices for effectiveness and identify areas needing improvement.
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Solicit feedback from the operations team, including drivers, on the use of dash cameras.
Note: These lists are not intended to be all-inclusive.
This material is intended to be a broad overview of the subject matter and is provided for informational purposes only. Joe Morten & Son, Inc. does not provide legal advice to its insureds or other parties, nor does it advise insureds or other parties on employment-related issues, therefore the subject matter is not intended to serve as legal or employment advice for any issue(s) that may arise in the operations of its insureds or other parties. Legal advice should always be sought from legal counsel. Joe Morten & Son, Inc. shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss, action, or inaction alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the information contained herein. Reprinted with permission from Great West Casualty Company.