A dashcam is a small camera that can be mounted on the dashboard of a vehicle, and they record what happens when you are driving. They are an important tool for any fleet owner to have and can be used in a variety of ways.

In commercial vehicles, a dashcam can be used to provide evidence in the event of vehicle collisions, as well as record footage that may assist with investigations.

How do commercial dashcams work?

The footage recorded by dashcams is stored on SD cards which need to be periodically replaced as they fill up with data from the dash cam's continuous recording process.

The footage is normally saved in 30-minute increments but can also be set to save more frequently depending on how much storage space you have available on your SD card.

Modern dash cams have many features that make them excellent for commercial vehicles, such as the ability to record high-quality video and audio even when they are not plugged into power or when they are on standby mode.

In addition, most dash cams come with a G-sensor which records bumps and collisions automatically, meaning you do not have to worry about forgetting to press "record" before an incident occurs.

Dashcams provide a lot of benefits, but there are certain tips to keep in mind when using dashcams in commercial vehicles.

1. The drivers of commercial vehicles are aware that there is a camera attached to the vehicle, and so may feel a little worried or conscious about being watched all the time. As a business owner, you should be empathetic towards drivers and establish a policy about how and when the cameras will be used.

        The drivers should be put at ease by assuring them that the monitoring of the vehicle is for professional use, and will not be used as an                      excuse to  pinpoint every move made by the driver.

   2.  Educate the drivers on how these dashcams can help in improving their driving. Since these cameras have features that can enhance the               driving experience, the drivers can benefit from using them. 

        Regularly educating or coaching the drivers with how the dashcams work, even though they are all complying with rules is important to                    encourage them to keep doing the same, and to continue making safe driving a priority. 

   3.  Dashcams can record every move made by the driver and can alert when something unethical has happened. This way businesses can                    keep track of how their driver is behaving on the road.

         To further encourage safe driving, businesses can offer incentives or reward programs to their drivers. This will not only ensure that all the                drivers are complying with the safety regulations, but are also using the cameras to monitor their driving behavior and make the necessary             improvements.

         You can also highlight when any driver followed all regulations while driving, and share the same with other drivers so that they can know                that not only is their compliance with safety rewarded, but is also set as an example to others.

    4.   Drivers should be allowed to contest any falsified regulation made by the cameras. Dashcams are machines at the end of the day and can             provide some false data that the camera feels is unethical, but could be ethical in reality. 

           There could be 1 out of 100 incidents where the camera could be wrong, so the drivers should be encouraged to pinpoint the mistake and                 provide feedback as to where the camera went wrong.

    5.   You should ensure that all your locations comply with the same standards, if you are a branched organisation. If one location has set                         certain safety regulations, all other locations should follow the same ones as well.

            This way there is no confusion for the drivers, as they do not need to keep up with the uncoordinated regulations made by several                                   locations.

    6.  It is the responsibility of the organisation, or business, to maintain a record of the footage recorded by the cameras, as dashcams do not                 have a lot of intrinsic memory storage.

           By maintaining a proper log you can keep track of how the drivers have performed, and should the need arise where you need to compare               recent data from the previous ones, you can simply pull up the file from the saved data, and will not have to rely on the word of the driver.

Dashcams are a great way to protect yourself and your company from liability in the event of an accident. They also provide video evidence and can help educate your employees about their driving habits, and inform them if any improvements are required.

If you want to get started using dash cams for your business, Smart Fits provides a range of cameras that will work in compliance with your business and its needs. We want to make sure our customers are getting the best products on the market so they can maintain their fleet or business vehicles for years to come.

To get started with our commercial dashboard camera solutions, contact us today!