Cameras In Tractors?

I think that was also back when navigation menu had a cartographer and star charts

I think that was also back when navigation menu had a cartographer and star charts

I am old too, but proof that an old dog can learn new tricks.

THAT'S WHERE MY HAT WENT!!!!

We had a discussion about this not too long ago. It got pretty intense. Some folks just don't mind it while others refuse to work for a carrier that uses them. They see it as an invasion of their personal space. To each his own. I personally have my own dash cam because it's the smartest investment you can make.

Now as far as this VHS thing goes. I have no clue what that even is so I can't help you with that. Errol was around back when Ox carrages were the main transportation so I'm sure he can help you with any ancient technology like the VHS.

Yep, I'm one of those that does not want a camera facing me all day/night. I don't like it, I don't agree with it, and think that would be the one thing that would push me out of trucking. More a matter of principle than anything. As for the outward facing camera(s), I have no problem whatsoever with those. A couple months ago I purchased my own camera and have it aligned so that it catches not only the road in front of me, but also both fender mirrors that shows down both sides to about the back of the sleeper area so that you can plainly see if I drifted into another lane or not. It's really pretty cool.

I know that this could be used to screw myself, but if I am in the wrong, then I am in the wrong. However, if I am in the right I want proof of it. Too many people/witnesses only see what they want to see or are fuzzy on the events once they start talking to the police or insurance guys. I've seen this first hand when people involved in an accident didn't even know what direction they were traveling...kind of weird, but it is what it is.

Yep, I'm one of those that does not want a camera facing me all day/night. I don't like it, I don't agree with it, and think that would be the one thing that would push me out of trucking

That would be the last straw, eh? Not the 10 years of work history they require, the constant stream of drug tests, DOT inspections, in-cab searches they can do anytime, logbook checks, fingerprinting and Federal background check for Hazmat , sensors streaming real-time information of every aspect of your truck's position & speed & performance day and night, the recording all of your conversations over Qualcomm , the 1,000+ cameras you're on everywhere you go every day of your life, and the million other things they're monitoring about you every second of your life? All of that was tolerable, but this is too much?

No it's not. You'll get used to it. It's probably coming for everyone at some point.

A lot of experienced drivers react the same way at first about automatic transmissions. They hate the idea, then they try em, then they like em. You may not like driver-facing cameras, unless they exonerate you at some point, but you aren't going to care after a short time. You're on camera all the time - everywhere you go - every day of your life. You also carry a picture camera, video camera, accelerometer, GPS chip, and microphone in your pocket or by your side every second of your life that can all be activated and monitored remotely.

So don't sweat it. It's going to feel weird at first but you'll get used to it. Just pretend you're a celebrity and wave to your fans once in awhile.

....oh, and by the way....only a fool would live without one of these awesome hats in the North!

That's me in 2011 tailgating at a Buffalo Bills game. We just cooked up some big steaks from the steers I raise every year.

We had a discussion about this not too long ago. It got pretty intense. Some folks just don't mind it while others refuse to work for a carrier that uses them. They see it as an invasion of their personal space. To each his own. I personally have my own dash cam because it's the smartest investment you can make.

Now as far as this VHS thing goes. I have no clue what that even is so I can't help you with that. Errol was around back when Ox carrages were the main transportation so I'm sure he can help you with any ancient technology like the VHS.

Guess that means I was around for that too. I fondly remember my loony toons VHS. Memories...as for the camera issue, they really are a godsend for the industry. A wise O/O has one. Save your butt if a 4-wheeler decides traffic laws don't apply to them or they want to retire a couple decades early. The fact is, if these cameras are doing what they need to, which is protect the company, they will weed out the dangerous truckers and make sure the safe ones stay on the road. It's that easy. Playing on your phone and you killed someone, that's 100% on you driver. Camera proved it. Got hit by a speeding 4-wheeler? Camera just saved your CDL. The ones who complain about the cameras are the ones who shouldn't be driving a CMV.

Yep, I'm one of those that does not want a camera facing me all day/night. I don't like it, I don't agree with it, and think that would be the one thing that would push me out of trucking

That would be the last straw, eh? Not the 10 years of work history they require, the constant stream of drug tests, DOT inspections, in-cab searches they can do anytime, logbook checks, fingerprinting and Federal background check for Hazmat , sensors streaming real-time information of every aspect of your truck's position & speed & performance day and night, the recording all of your conversations over Qualcomm , the 1,000+ cameras you're on everywhere you go every day of your life, and the million other things they're monitoring about you every second of your life? All of that was tolerable, but this is too much?

No it's not. You'll get used to it. It's probably coming for everyone at some point.

A lot of experienced drivers react the same way at first about automatic transmissions. They hate the idea, then they try em, then they like em. You may not like driver-facing cameras, unless they exonerate you at some point, but you aren't going to care after a short time. You're on camera all the time - everywhere you go - every day of your life. You also carry a picture camera, video camera, accelerometer, GPS chip, and microphone in your pocket or by your side every second of your life that can all be activated and monitored remotely.

So don't sweat it. It's going to feel weird at first but you'll get used to it. Just pretend you're a celebrity and wave to your fans once in awhile.

Brett- my O/O trainer at Prime was real proud of himself- eating when driving. I was permit student driver. He was a 100% neat-nik. I would put him up against any of the 5000 Prime drivers for a clean, neat, no dust or dirt whatsoever inside truck cab. He would be #1 or at least top 5 drivers with cleanest cab. Also he told me not to roll down window, but instead open door at toll both to pay. That way no scratches on window to keep it nice and help resale of truck.

Anyway what about eating when driving? Absolutely stupid, irresponsible, and dangerous? And arrogant? And stupid because he should set an example for the student driver?

A previous thread said a Swift driver was fired for eating a salad while driving and caught on camera.

While eating and driving at the same time, my Prime trainer would crouch forward and catch any food drops on paper towel. Therefore close to 100% clean and neat. Like I said he was a little proud of not spilling.

I did honestly respect him as a driver- 2 million accident free miles, and the night at 2am a 4-wheeler at interstate speed cut in front of us slamming his U-haul truck pulling a 2-wheel car Dolly with car loaded into our truck- My trainer immediately took shoulder with fully loader reefer avoiding crash. As a student, I was thrilled because he avoided crash but also because I was still getting used to feel of trailer, and very concerned about trailer tipping.

Also this would be a good question for a survey. 1 Do you eat while driving?- and how often- daily... Etc. 2 If you eat while driving- What is reason? (My trainer it would be to save time) 3 Is eating while driving an act of _______ (fill in blank) Stupidity? Total driver arrogance and irresponsible? Etc

So Brett, what about eating while driving??

Well there is a big difference between eating a protein bar or something and eating something that requires two hands like a salad. I notice that some foods tend to be distracting even if they are one handed, like messy burritos, so I eat in or wait until I get home. I dont know, probably one of those things you have to use your head for and some people dont or cant so companies make stupid policies hoping to reduce the liability of hiring idiots.

I wouldn't work for a company that used driver facing cameras, thankfully there are plenty of companies that indulge this preference so its not something to get my panties in a twist over.

Belluavir believes:

there are plenty of companies that indulge this preference ....

They might "indulge" - until the insurance company, or the State, tell them to quit indulging and get the cameras installed already.

And besides, just what are you doing that you don't want your boss to see you do just before your accident? I thought "observant driver" would be a good thing to be doing just before the fender bender.