The economics of installing fleetwide dash cams for trucks are impossible to ignore.
Protecting your vehicles with a dash cam system reduces insurance premiums, encourages less aggressive driving (which lowers fuel consumption and reduces accident rates), and gives you better data to plan more efficient routes.
But some drivers have expressed reservations about working in a vehicle with “big brother” watching in the form of a camera. What are the real fleet dash cam pros and cons, and what factors should you consider when deciding on a platform to use with your fleet?
Pros of Dash Cams for Trucks
Ultimately, dash cams help protect fleet vehicle owners from potential liability or fraud when it comes to an incident like a collision. To use a common example, fleet owners often encounter a situation where one of their vehicles has been involved in a minor collision. The video footage captured by the dash cam could provide valuable evidence that helps determine liability, rule out fraudulent claims and mitigate any potential legal costs. Additionally, having dash cams in your fleet vehicles can also help you monitor driving behavior and ensure that your drivers are following all applicable laws. This can help reduce the risk of accidents, which means fewer insurance claims and lower premiums for your business.
By extension, your drivers enjoy this same protection. Monitoring systems not only keep them from getting falsely blamed for incidents they didn’t cause, but also show how safely and efficiently they operate their vehicles. Driver scorecards and reward programs that incentivize your best drivers are key ways to improve employee retention.
Cons of Dash Cams for Trucks
Two of the common issues cited about dash cams for trucks in a fleet are that they’re a potential distraction while operating the vehicle and they intrude on driver privacy. It’s clearly important to address the privacy issue with your crews. If drivers feel that they’re constantly being monitored by a system that hasn’t been appropriately disclosed and explained, that can feel like a violation—which can impact morale and productivity. Leading best dash cam fleet management providers like GPS Trackit not only provide the technology to protect vehicles but also help with the implementation of the program fleet-wide. That includes personalized training on how to introduce this technology to your teams in a way that encourages participation and minimizes pushback.
When it comes to potentially being a distraction, picking the right system is crucial. For the vast majority of GPS Trackit fleet customers, the compact dash cams quickly blend in and become a part of a driver’s day-to-day experience behind the wheel. And hundreds of drivers each year feel the relief that comes when GPS Trackit’s predictive accident-avoidance program gives an audible alert that gives the driver time to avoid a damaging incident.
The best way to see how dash cams would work for your application? Schedule a free, personalized demo with an experienced GPS Trackit Fleet Advisor today.
