Into the Clouds:
Years ago, when dashcams were first introduced, they were designed to aid police traffic surveillance. In more recent times, they have become a popular safety accessory amongst both private and commercial vehicle owners. Many people feel that having a camera recording the road and surroundings while driving provides indisputable evidence should a problem or accident occur.
The question for businesses with fleets of vehicles is, are they worth the investment?
Protect your drivers’ integrity and your business reputation
You never know what might happen on the road. Storms can appear out of nowhere, another vehicle can suddenly cut you off, or an animal can run out on the road. In a split second, drivers have to make tough calls to protect both themselves and others on the road.
If there is ever any question about how an accident occurred, it’s important to ensure that your driver’s integrity – and your business reputation – are protected. Think of a dash cam like a reliable witness to anything that might go wrong, leaving no room for doubt about the events that took place. There are some excellent insurance benefits as well, which we will discuss in more detail in our next article.
Identify bad driving habits and help tailor training to each individual driver.
While drivers can be skeptical about using dashcams, the devices have been known to greatly improve driver safety. In fact, the National Surface Transportation Safety Center for Excellence (NSTSCE) found that when combined with driver coaching, dash cams reduced safety-related accidents by 52%.
Dash cams can help fleet managers and drivers identify poor driving patterns and provide targeted training to improve specific skills and driving abilities.
Prevent theft during periods of rest on the road.
Dashcams can also help mitigate loss and theft when trucks are stopped or left alone in a parking lot. Some dashcam models offer a 360-degree view of the surroundings so you will get a shot of anyone approaching the vehicle no matter what direction they are coming from. You can even capture movement that happens while the truck isn’t running. This footage can prove useful in the instance of a break-in, potentially helping to identify the culprit.
Peace of mind for your business is worth the investment
From driver safety to theft prevention, dashcams can be a valuable asset to your daily business operations, helping you avoid safety risks, costs, and damage to your reputation.
Stay tuned for the next article in our dashcam series when we will explore even more benefits of using dashcams as part of your fleet management strategy.