Video monitoring systems are an emerging standard in fleet management. Technological breakthrough or unnecessary expense? Judge for yourself. Here are five direct ways in-vehicle video can improve safety, increase efficiency, and save money for commercial fleets.

1. Advanced Driver Monitoring

For fleet managers, safety is a top concern. In addition to vehicle maintenance and appropriate cargo weight, good driving is crucial for improving safety and preventing accidents.

A landmark study from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in 2009 found that driver distraction alone contributed to 71% of all commercial vehicle accidents. More recent research suggests that driver behavior remains a major factor in accidents on the highway. 

Improving driving is key to improving safety. Cell phone use, tailgating, and falling asleep at the wheel are just a few examples of unsafe behaviors that cameras can capture. The ability to view video footage of these incidents helps improve driving in three main ways. 

1. Drivers are more likely to avoid unsafe behavior when they know they’re being observed. 
2. With video footage, fleet managers can point to specific incidents of unsafe behavior and address it in personalized training. 
3. AI cameras can automatically detect unsafe behavior and warn the driver right away. 

That’s why one study estimates that video monitoring systems have the potential to reduce fatal accident rates by 25%.

2. Efficient Incident Resolution

Despite the driver and manager’s best efforts, accidents happen. When they do, video monitoring systems can make the difference between a drawn-out investigation and a speedy resolution. 

A camera system equipped with data connectivity can send footage of the accident to the claims department as soon as an incident occurs. That means investigators have quality evidence to analyze right away. The faster the investigation happens, the faster the vehicle and the driver can get back on the road, resulting in significant savings for the fleet.

3. Lower Legal Settlements

Accident preparedness is all the more important given that so-called “nuclear settlements” are on the rise: judgements exceeding $10 million have become much more common in the past decade. 

Fleets should have as much evidence as possible to protect themselves in the event of a legal battle. Without a vehicle camera system, fleets are at the mercy of eyewitness accounts and on-scene evidence. Video footage can help provide the clearest possible picture of what happened.

4. Cargo and Vehicle Protection

While protecting lives is the number one priority, protecting property is important too. 

The FBI estimates up to $30 billion in cargo is stolen each year, and less than 20% of that cargo is ever recovered. In addition, commercial vehicles themselves can fall victim to vandalism and minor hit-and-runs while sitting in the lot for extended periods of time.

In both cases, cameras pointed in and around the vehicle can allow investigation of an otherwise difficult-to-solve crime. 

5. Lower Insurance Rates

As commercial accident rates rise, fleet insurance premiums are expected to rise along with them — experts estimate by 20-25% this year. Insurance companies are on the lookout for novel pricing solutions that incorporate the past decade’s technological advances. That’s why many are offering attractive incentives for fleets with video monitoring systems. 

Many companies, like RLI, cover camera installation costs and provide a discount on premiums for fleets willing to adopt video technology. Others, like Protective Insurance, will consider a similar discount for fleets who provide other safety data. Finally, even if an insurance provider doesn’t offer a direct discount, the benefits of a video monitoring system can be a useful bargaining chip in premium negotiation. 

Safety, Efficiency, and Savings

Those reasons are exactly why the National Transportation Safety Board recommends commercial fleets use video monitoring systems. 

In-vehicle cameras help prevent accidents by identifying unsafe driving behavior. And when accidents do happen, video footage provides the clearest possible picture of what happened. That means quicker, more efficient investigations; a lower risk of large, frivolous legal settlements; and more affordable insurance premiums. 

In the case of video monitoring, safety, efficiency, and savings are connected – and that’s why so many commercial fleets are adopting in-vehicle camera systems. If you’d like to learn more about in-vehicle video systems for your fleet, including more on the benefits and the features that you should look for,you can grab a free copy of our eBook right here