Good news: There’s a webinar for that!
Jim Angel, EROAD’s Vice President of Video Telematics, along with Susan Reszczynski, our Safety & Regulatory Compliance Manager, recently provided a ton of great information about how dash cams protect fleets. We encourage you to spend some time (less than an hour) to watch the webinar recording, which touches on the value of dash cams, top dash cam features and other important considerations.
As an appetizer, here are a few of the top dash cam features discussed during the session:
Key Dash Cam Considerations
Video Quality: The ability to capture high-quality video is, of course, the top dash cam feature to consider. “At minimum,” Angel says, “you want a quality, detailed video that gives you the opportunity to see what’s important.” EROAD’s Clarity Dashcam, for example, records high-definition video and is optimized for recording in bright- to low-light conditions.
Camera Configuration: Every dash cam on the market offers a front-facing camera. Many, including Clarity, also offer a driver-facing option. “It an important option to have for those who have needs inside the cab based on specific policies that might have to do with the freight that you’re hauling – for example, hazardous materials and things like that,” Angel says. But, he adds, it’s important to consider driver recruiting, retention and privacy concerns when choosing whether to use a driver-facing option.
Related: How to Get Drivers on Board with Dash Cams
Continuous Recording: Angel suggests going with a camera that offers continuous recording, rather than just event-based recording. “I think that’s incredibly important,” he says. “We found in several investigations that if you have the ability to view video before and after the actual incident, you get additional details that help define what really happened.” The Clarity Dashcam provides continuous recording and stores between 40 and 50+ hours of footage for easy retrieval. It also automatically sends video clips to the cloud when a safety event occurs or when a driver or remote users triggers the camera.
Audio Recording: When it comes to in-cab audio recording, “there’s a lot of information that can be gleaned,” Angel says. However, he adds, just as with a driver-facing camera configuration it’s important to weigh the benefits of recorded audio with drivers’ privacy concerns. Audio recording is an option with Clarity that can be activated fleet-wide if a carrier determines that it is crucial to their safety and operational objectives.
Watch the Webinar for Much More
With all the options out there it can be difficult to determine which dash cam features will best serve your needs.
Some of the best advice we can give is to not lose sight of the reasons you’re investing in dash cams in the first place: to help establish fault in accidents – often clearing your drivers – and to collect actionable video data to enhance fleet safety through training, coaching and safe-driving incentive programs.
