Truck dash cams are becoming more of a necessity in our current climate. It can sometimes feel overwhelming to integrate new technology into your truck or fleet. However, there are many benefits for truckers to use a dash cam in a variety of different situations. Here is our list of the top 5 benefits of using a truck dash cam and the key features to look for when purchasing your own dash cam.
Evidence of an Accident
This is the main and most popular reason to get a truck dash cam. If you happen to get in an accident, using a dash cam video will be your strongest piece of evidence to prove the accident wasn’t your fault. Without the video evidence, there is a chance the other driver can say the accident was your fault, even if it wasn’t, and you are forced to pay for the repairs. However, keep in mind that if the accident is your fault, the video evidence will be used against you.
Keeping Your Truck Safe at All Times
Many dash cams can be set to record even without the engine being on. This allows you to be away from your truck or sleeping and still be able to keep track of any activity. Having the ability to record when you are away allows you to monitor your assets, keeping your truck safe and secure. Your dash cam allows you to catch anyone who vandalizes or tries to break into your truck. For example, a dash cam is perfect for when you return to your parked truck and there is a ding on the bumper because you are able to go back to the video and see who caused the damage. This allows you to have peace of mind when it comes to leaving your vehicle, knowing that your dash cam will protect your truck while you are away.
Aiding in Emergency Responses
Live telematic dash cams are a great investment for anyone who may need emergency responses in the future. With the ability to record your GPS location and initiate a call to emergency services, you will be fully taken care of with this function. In case of an emergency or breakdown, live telematic dash cams can pinpoint the exact location of your vehicle and automatically make an emergency call. Having the support of this feature can accelerate the response times for emergency services. This has the potential to save lives and prevent any further damage if an emergency does arise.
Insurance Savings
Insurance claim history can significantly impact a driver's monthly payment. In order to prevent negative claims from showing up on your insurance, having a dash cam will allow you to have recorded evidence in case of an accident. Providing the evidence from the dash cam footage has revolutionized the way claims are handled, making claims smoother and quicker to process. The transparency and fairness that the dash cam provides to an insurance claim helps protect a driver's motor vehicle record, leading to lower rates and preventing fraudulent claims.
Training and Coaching
Utilizing dash cams as a part of your fleet's training and coaching will enhance your driver behavior, lower your company costs, and save you time in the long run. Some fleet managers fear that their drivers may feel that they are not trusted by their supervisors. However, by setting up an intentional implementation process that includes drivers, you will create and promote a culture of safety. Being able to view your drivers' interactions on the road provides opportunities to celebrate positive behaviors that drivers are demonstrating or to engage in constructive feedback to mitigate risky driving behaviors in the future.
Additionally, with the GPS features found in some dash cams, managers are able to make real-time decisions in supporting their drivers. Incorporating dash cams into your fleet will lead to higher levels of driver accountability with training development opportunities. Furthermore, it will enhance logistics and improve road safety in your company.
Key Features
If you are ready to purchase a dash cam, here are a few things to consider. The price can range from as low as $40 and as high as $500 depending on the available features. There are several companies that make dash cams including Garmin, Thinkware, and Blackvue. Trying to find a dash cam that meets your needs and doesn’t break the bank can be overwhelming. We have put together a list of some key features to keep in mind when choosing your next dash cam.
Video Quality
Important for ensuring that whatever your dash cam records is visible and clear to the viewer. Look for high-quality (HD) video resolution, a wide-angle lens, and night vision capabilities.
Battery Life and Durability
Crucial for ensuring that your dash cam has a long life cycle. You will want to find a dash cam that has sufficient battery life to last through your driving hours. Some dash cams come with an auto-start feature that will automatically record when you start your truck. Having this feature will help you ensure that your dash cam is always on and ready to go. When it comes to durability, research the dash cam's ability to withstand extreme conditions such as, heat, cold, and the vibrations from your truck.
Power
Another important feature to keep in mind when finding the right dash cam for your needs. There are two options to consider when it comes to powering your dash cam. The first is by using the vehicle’s electrical systems that turn the dash cam on automatically when the ignition is started. The second is a manual turn-on, where the driver or fleet manager has to turn the dash cam on themselves.
Parking Mode
A feature that some dash cams have. This mode is important because the dash cam can record incidents even when the vehicle is parked. When the vehicle is parked, movement on or around the truck will trigger the motion detector on the dash cam causing it to turn on and begin recording. This feature will help you identify incidents of vandalism or break-in attempts when you are away from your truck.
ELD Integration
An electronic logging device that is capable of recording a driver’s driving hours and duty status automatically. This feature can help you streamline your trucking logs.
Loop Recording
How most dash cams work. This means that when the memory card is full the camera overwrites the oldest videos and replaces them with the newer ones. This ensures that recording always happens and you don’t need to remember to delete old footage.
G-sensors
Used to detect sudden changes in direction or impact, similar to an accident. When there is an accident detected, the dash cam will automatically lock the relevant footage, ensuring that it is kept in your files. By doing this, the G-sensor prevents the video recording from being overwritten in the loop recording process. Many dash cams come with this feature.
GPS
A feature that will help you in every drive that you have. The basic function of GPS is to provide directions to your next location. However, the GPS feature in dash cams is more extensive. It will detect upcoming route complications and recommend alternative routes. Furthermore, it will provide a record of the vehicle’s speed, helping you maintain safe driving habits. This feature is not only beneficial for truck drivers but fleets as well. Providing drivers with a dash cam with the GPS feature allows your company to better understand driving patterns, how they impact fuel consumption/vehicle performance, and help you improve delivery efficiency.
Future of Dash Cams
Similar to all other technology, dash cams will continue to evolve in the future. Some of the key features that are projected to continue to modernize the dash cam industry are Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning capabilities. These technologies have the ability to analyze real-time footage to detect risky behaviors like drowsy and distracted driving, or traffic signals and speeding violations. They provide in-cab audio and visual alerts that warn the driver of these detected behaviors or violations to help drivers ensure safe driving habits.
Additionally, the use of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) will continue to enhance safety. This technology will provide real-time collision, lane departure, and forward-collision warnings to help prevent accidents before they occur. Lastly, the Cloud Connectivity feature will cover more powerful connectivity. This will lead to real-time video streaming and data analysis for fleet managers allowing them to have quicker response times and seamless integration with previous fleet management systems.
Dash Cam Laws By State in 2023
Although there are not many negatives when it comes to getting a dash cam for your truck or fleet, it is important to be aware of the laws and regulations that each state has regarding dash cams. For example, privacy concerns when you record the video and sometimes audio may infringe on someone's privacy rights. You can find more information about these laws here: Dash Cam Laws By State in 2023.
Are you ready to purchase a truck dash cam?
If you are ready to purchase a truck dash cam, make sure to keep all of this in mind while you are making your decision on what truck dash cam to purchase.
