Technology has always been the leading force behind safety advancements on the road. From improvements in vehicle design to the rise of telematics, technology has made getting from one point to another measurably safer over the years. But despite their emphasis on safety, not all technologies have been met without controversy. In specific, onboard cameras have proven quite divisive among truckers. While certainly not the right solution for every carrier, the value onboard cameras provide is definitely worthy of consideration. This blog post aims to highlight three benefits of onboard cameras so transportation companies can decide for themselves if the technology is right for them.
Hard Evidence in Accident Scenarios
Numerous studies over the years have found truckers to be the safest drivers on the road. In turn, decades of data indicate that the overwhelming majority of accidents involving a transportation vehicle are caused by passenger vehicles. Given the sheer amount of time truckers spend on the road, probability dictates that the likelihood of being involved in a collision is a matter of inevitability.
Onboard cameras serve to automatically document the exact conditions that lead up to an accident. In addition to resolving any disputes with or incidents of fraud by outside parties, in most cases, onboard cameras provide indisputable evidence that truckers are not to blame for the collision. Because the FMCSA allows operators to contest non-preventable crashed used to downgrade their CSA scores, having this video evidence can have a profound impact on not just the immediate aftermath of a crash, but for years moving forward.
Accelerating the Insurance Claims Process
Dealing with insurance companies has a reputation for being notoriously frustrating. In addition to copious paperwork, back-and-forth disputes with the at-fault party can make the claims process drag on interminably. Thankfully, onboard cameras can dramatically accelerate this entire process. By providing irrefutable evidence, fraudulent and unfounded disputes are resolved before they can even arise. This saves transportation companies considerable time and effort.
Driving Behavior Observation
Before the advent of ELD and telematics devices, fleet managers had next to zero visibility over how their drivers behaved on the road. In-cab cameras effectively allow managers to see what their drivers see. This newfound degree of visibility enables training opportunities previously not possible. In addition to be able to point out ways drivers can improve in terms of safety, onboard cameras also enable managers to see how their drivers are performing in terms of fuel efficient driving tactics. By improving both of these driving behavior-related aspects, onboard cameras are more than capable of significant return on investment.
