A dashcam, or dashboard camera, is a small video camera that is mounted on the dashboard or on the inside of the windshield in vehicles. Dashcams are designed to continuously record inside the vehicle and the view of the road and traffic. These devices may also record date & time, g-forces, GPS coordinates and audio.
Many truck drivers were averse to the installation of dashcams in their truck cabins when trucking companies began implementing them. While the cameras signal an added layer of protection, their hesitance was understandable. Truck drivers spend long hours in their trucks during cross country hauls, a video camera that continuously records can therefore be intrusive and feel like an episode of Big Brother. Beyond this, drivers felt that there was a lack of trust between them and their employers. However, dashcams have proven to be a defense mechanism that protects not only the company but also the truck drivers.
Protection from Liability:
In the event of an accident, it is vital for law enforcement, insurance companies and other involved parties to determine what transpired. A dashcam can provide an accurate, unbiased account of the accident.
Recently in Jacksonville, Florida, there was a multi-vehicle collision involving a semi-truck that struck a passenger car turning into an intersection. The semi then collided with a third vehicle, causing the third vehicle to crash into a fourth. The January 14th accident involved a teenage driver who initially reported to the police that they had the green light to make the turn into the intersection. However, the crash investigation determined that the teenager was at fault. The dashcam in the semi-truck revealed that the truck driver actually had the green light, proving that the teenage driver failed to yield the right of way.
While accident reconstruction can be useful in determining what happened during a crash, it is sometimes difficult to determine who was at fault. In this case, the dashcam provided crucial evidence that assisted law enforcement in assigning blame for the accident.
Additional Safety and Security:
As dash cameras become more sophisticated, their features include systems that can monitor the vehicle’s movements. Some safety features include alerts that notify the driver if the vehicle swerves –with some cameras using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to detect fatigue and signs of distracted driving.
Most dashcams are outfitted with GPS technology-- in the event that a truck is stolen, companies can use the camera to remotely track the truck’s location, increasing the likelihood of recovering the vehicle. Dashcams are also designed to record even if the truck is turned off. This added layer of security can come in handy in incidents involving vandals and other threats while the truck is stationary.
