Dash Cam Definition
Dashboard cameras, or dash cams, consists of a camera that is mounted onto your vehicle’s dashboard that can record what happens both the inside and outside the vehicle. They work as a silent witness, offering neutral proof for instances of accidents when one party disagrees with the other’s version of events.
How Do Dash Cams Work
Dash cams can either be plugged into your vehicle for power or hardwired. The camera records either inside the vehicle, outside facing the front — or driver’s view — or both. The device can record continuously or be set up to record when a vehicle sensor detects a collision or when the camera itself detects motion. In the case of the latter, the device saves the recording from approximately 30 seconds before the incident and 30 seconds after, depending on the system model and how it was set up.
What is a Dash Cam Used For?
In cases of a collision or some other accident, dash cams can offer a neutral point of view of what occurred. For example, if one of your drivers is cut off by another vehicle, and this results in a rear collision, the dash cam footage would show that the accident was the result of the other driver’s dangerous behavior. The footage can be used in most courts of law and the addition of a dash cam to a vehicle can even lower insurance rates in certain areas.
What is G Sensor on a Dash Cam?
In most cases, dash cams come equipped with a G-sensor, a device that registers vibrations or an impact. Also, known as an accelerometer, it cues the camera to record the incident or accident, giving you concrete proof of what happened.
What is Loop Recording on a Dash Cam?
For fleets, dash cams offer loop recording, which is a continuous recording that overwrites older data so that it does not run out of data storage. The camera keeps recording throughout the day, only saving footage that is deemed necessary, such as when a collision occurs or some type of poor driver behavior is observed, such as speeding or turning a corner too quickly.
Dash Cams for Fleets
For years, fleets have been utilizing dash cams for both protection against false claims related to accidents and to improve driver behavior. As mentioned previously, in some regions, fleets can get savings on their insurance when dash cams are installed on vehicles. In these ways, dash cams can lower costs, improve driver behavior, and increase overall fleet efficiencies.
Dash Cam Advantages
There are several advantages to installing dash cams in your fleet vehicles. Nuclear verdicts related to commercial vehicle accidents have caused some business to close their doors, even when the incident was not their driver’s fault. Dash cam footage can be used to deter these types of cases from costing businesses millions of dollars.
The devices can also be used to help train drivers and correct unsafe driving behaviors. Footage from an unsafe driving episode can be reviewed by the fleet manager and their driver to highlight what should have been done in that instance. They can also be used to train drivers in real time, as some systems immediately notify managers when drivers are speeding, allowing them to contact the driver through the system and actively coach them to improve their driving behaviors.
Dash Cam Disadvantages
Dash cams have their disadvantages, too. For example, an improperly installed device can lead to an accident if it causes the driver’s view to be obstructed. In some cases, they can become a distraction within the vehicle, with drivers feeling as though there is an invasion of privacy. This could also lead to some drivers leaving for other fleets that do not require dash cams.
Future of Dash Cams
As with any technology, there are updates being made to dash cam systems to further increase fleet safety. Some systems can now read drivers’ behaviors in real-time, alerting them if dangerous actions are being taken, such as driving while using a cell phone or falling asleep at the wheel. This new and emerging technology can even tell if the driver’s eyes are not on the road and are being distracted in some way, immediately sending a verbal or audible warning to them.
How Does LifeSaver Mobile Supplement Dash Cams?
Partnering LifeSaver Mobile’s cell blocking technology with fleet dash cams can mitigate distracted driving behaviors captured by cameras. LifeSaver Mobile’s easy to deploy distracted driving prevention solution complements fleet dash cam with no additional hardware to install in the vehicle.
