If You Are Using Dash Cameras Only as an Exoneration Tool, You Are Missing the Boat

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Fix the problem upstream. It’s easier to deal with something while it is small. If you are using your dash camera system only as a post-accident tool, you are not heeding any of this advice.

A critical, and at times overlooked portion of a safety program is monitoring driver performance when it comes to safe and defensive driving. The only way a carrier can monitor this is to be in the vehicle with the driver. Since we cannot assign one safety person to each driver, we need to come up with a better way.

Methods that have been tried include check rides and electronic control module (ECM) downloads. While effective, these have limitations. A driver can hide bad habits on a check ride and an ECM download does not tell the whole story, only what the driver did (not why the driver did it).

Dash cameras

Enter dash cameras. Simple ones run on a continuous loop, but only capture a specific number of seconds before and after a triggering event, such as hard braking or hard turning. This is then communicated back to supervisors through a download or cellular or WIFI connectivity. The more complex systems will also “see” when a driver commits a driving error, such as tailgating, speeding, or rolling through a stop sign.

However, many carriers and drivers view dash cameras only as “exoneration tools.” While it is true they can provide proof that the driver was not at fault following a crash, this is completely missing the boat. Why deal with a bad event that has already happened, when the tool that is in use can prevent the event from even happening?

Counsel and coach

When a dash camera alert is discovered (either reported by the device or during a download), the driver should immediately be counseled and coached. The approach that should be taken is, “We are trying to make you a better driver, so bad things don’t happen to you and us.” Discuss the error the driver made, what could have prevented that error, and then have the driver explain what will be done differently when the driver is in that or a similar situation in the future. An additional step that should be considered Is having the driver complete a short corrective action training program on the defensive driving skill involved.

Avoid punishing

Disciplinary action should be saved for repeat offenders and serious incidents. If you want driver cooperation, the last thing you want is drivers viewing the dash cameras as a company “gotcha” tool.

Summary

The bottom line is that while dash cameras are an effective exoneration tool, they are much more effective when they are used to prevent crashes. This means monitoring the dash cameras and taking action when necessary, using counseling, coaching, and training.