Dash cams tend to be a touchy subject with fleet drivers. They assume the device will invade their privacy and work against their performance as they complete each journey. However, a lot of these misconceptions come from false information.
It’s important that fleet managers explain the purpose of dash cams in the business properly and frame the device as something that will work for drivers rather than against them.
Read on to find out how fleet managers can address the common myths behind artificial intelligence (AI) dash cams.
Myth 1: Dash Cams Are Constantly Watching Your Drivers
One common myth about dash cams is that they only monitor drivers. However, the reality is that dash cams are actually installed to capture risky driving events such as hard braking and speeding.
These cameras are designed to detect events that could potentially harm the driver and cause accidents on the road. The captured video is then categorized based on the type of alert and can be reviewed on a manager’s dashboard. This categorization ensures an objective perspective when viewing the videos.
To ensure that only safety-related events are recorded, the Netradyne Driver•i dash cams are equipped with a privacy mode. This mode ensures that the cameras only detect risks like distracted driving and do not record anything outside of identifiable behaviors within the vehicle.
This means that drivers can focus on reaching their destination safely without any concerns about their privacy being violated.
Myth 2: Dash Cams Only Capture Negative Driving Behavior
Dash cams that only capture risky driving behavior and negative events do not give drivers and managers the full picture they need. Only receiving an alert when a driver slams on the brakes and getting a video clip of only that instant doesn’t provide the necessary context to determine if the driver was being unsafe.
Netradyne’s Driver•i dash cams capture the entire drive time and recognize positive driving behaviors. Using the example given above, Driver•i would capture what was happening before, during, and after the hard braking alert. For instance, the dash cam will clearly show if a car merged into your drivers lane causing the driver to hit the brakes.
The dash cam recognizes this as hard braking with cause and will recognize the action as a positive driving event because the driver made a timely, responsible choice.
With Driver•i, these positive acts are added to a rolling score called the GreenZone Score. The score shows both positive and risky driving behaviors to give managers and drivers a holistic view of a fleet’s performance. The GreenZone score also shows how the driver is improving and where they can improve.
Myth 3: Alerts Are Too Sensitive and Can Get a Driver Into Unnecessary Trouble
In the past, drivers have reported some dash cam systems falsely alerted to their normal driving behaviors as risky. This causes drivers to be misrepresented by their managers and can impact their performance.
It’s critical to invest in a system that captures as much data as possible to give managers the full picture. Driver•i uses machine learning and edge computing to capture large quantities of data quickly. It’s then organized on one easy-to-use dashboard for fleet managers.
The dashboard shows which alerts were triggered by drivers and the corresponding video, giving better insight into events. Managers are able to easily identify if an alert was falsely triggered to have a clear report of a driver’s performance.
Since all events are accurately captured, the event can be discussed objectively and the driver’s overall performance doesn’t depend on every bad alert they receive.
Myth 4: Dash Cams Are Only Used To Capture Driver and Vehicle Operations
Some fleet owners might assume dash cams only work when drivers are on the road or during the period of vehicle operations. However, managers can use dash cams to have visibility of vehicles, equipment, and cargo.
External dash cams are used to capture what happens around a vehicle. At the manager level, external dash cams can capture instances of theft or details of a collision. At the driver level, these dash cams provide visual into blindspots making loading and unloading cargo easier.
The dash cams prioritize safety even when the driver and vehicle are off the road. It’s a secure investment that protects your employees and properties.
Final Thoughts
It is important for fleet managers to educate their drivers on the true purpose of these devices. Dash cams can be leveraged in fleets as an invaluable safety feature, alongside providing risk analysis metrics that aid in improving overall driver performance and efficiency.
To this end, fleet managers should take care to properly explain the value of dash cams without resorting to scare tactics. By helping drivers become more informed about the implications and usage of AI technology, they can feel secure in knowing that these measures are there to protect them from any potential harm or repercussions.
Ready to enhance your fleet safety and reduce risks for your fleet? Explore the Driver•i AI fleet camera system and book a demo today to experience its advanced features and benefits.
