Dashcams integrated with fleet management offer towers a solid line of defense

Onboard cameras integrated into a fleet management solution such as WEBFLEET provide tow operators with a solid line of defense. They help mitigate risk, which is important in an industry facing heightened scrutiny from insurers

Tow truck operators have one of the most dangerous and challenging business climates. Distracted drivers on the road, challenging weather conditions, and oncoming traffic mean that drivers in the profession are considered to have one of the most dangerous jobs in North America. According

to the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame in Tennessee, nearly 50-100 tow truck drivers lose their lives on the job every day.

AN OBJECTIVE WITNESS TO INCIDENTS AND DRIVER BEHAVIORS

So how do onboard cameras work and how easy are they to implement?

If telematics and GPS tell you the who, where, and when then the video tells you the why and how. A fleet management system such as WEBFLEET captures comprehensive data about your fleet. It will tell you who is driving, how that driver is operating, where they are going, what route they should take and what time they’ll arrive at their destination. But when an incident on the road happens, it often becomes a matter of “he said -- she said. Witnesses will offer

contradictory evidence. In the case of an accident, police, and insurers often must rely on eyewitness testimony. But as we know, memories fade. And in a traumatic situation where things are unfolding in a blink of an eye, the human brain is simply incapable of accurately documenting the circumstances. With cameras like WEBFLEET CAM 50 can monitor the vehicle, its surroundings, and a driver’s behaviors from the moment of ignition start to ignition off, tow operators have comprehensive video footage to provide an objective witness to the scene.

“As a tow operator, anything you can do to protect yourself or sell yourself to a prospective insurer is great,” says Rusty Russell co-owner of SR Towing. “By integrating camera technology with fleet tracking in my trucks, I gain a comprehensive

“By integrating camera technology with fleet tracking in my trucks, I gain a comprehensive view of my business. I can also demonstrate to my insurer I operate with superior business practices.”

view of my business. I can also demonstrate to my insurer I operate with superior business practices.”

Road facing and optional cabin facing HD dashcam event footage are displayed alongside driving data to give users the full context of road incidents Users can request in WEBFLEET the video from a specific time and position of a previous trip or instantly live stream from the road, to take action immediately when an incident occurs. The forwardfacing camera captures the road view. Using a wide-angle lens, it will pick up everything the driver sees and some periphery information. This will allow a tow operator to monitor standard road behavior and cross traffic, such as vehicles entering an intersection. Experts suggest that 75-85% of a tow operator’s insurance return on investment will come from this view. The driver’s camera is focused on anything inside the vehicle. While the other cameras are typically used for exoneration, this camera is used for monitoring driver behavior and compliments fleet solutions that offer driver coaching, such as WEBFLEET’s OptiDrive 360. So if an owner/operator sees a pattern of harsh braking from a driver, he or she can contextualize it with video. Accompanying WEBFLEET Video is the CAM 50 dashcam. This hardware uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology to automatically identify risky behavior such as distracted driving and mobile phone usage. When it does so, it notifies the driver with a visual and audio alert, helping them avoid dangerous situations. Video captured with the driver camera can also be used proactively for driver coaching and training.

Footage from a driver’s camera along with driver coaching from the fleet management solution helps me keep an eye on how my drivers are handling the truck and driving on the road. It shouldn’t be viewed as a big brother thing. It actually safeguards the driver and prevents accidents. When someone calls in mad or disgruntled, I can pull up info right away to see if they have a leg to stand on.

WEBFLEET’s driver management solution makes it easy to stay compliant with regulations. It also encourages your drivers to adopt safer and more efficient driving habits, while maximizing productivity. Do you want to help boost driver performance? Speak to one of our experts at 866-224-9451 and find out how WEBFLEET can help.