Swift In Cab Camera

I hate to being up this thread again, but I thought it was worth noting that we just got a company-wide message from Swift that there will be a new update to the drivecams mid-September. They will have a new "privacy mode"--when the truck shuts off, the inward-facing camera and the mic will deactivate, so there is no any chance of you being recorded when the truck is off. The lights on the DashCam will change to indicate when privacy mode is activated. And as always, you can still out a ball cap over the inward facing camera when off duty if that makes you feel more comfortable.

Looks like Driver won't have to blaze the trail after all!! Haha

Holy typos Batman! Forgot to "preview"...

I hate to being up this thread again, but I thought it was worth noting that we just got a company-wide message from Swift that there will be a new update to the drivecams mid-September. They will have a new "privacy mode"--when the truck shuts off, the inward-facing camera and the mic will deactivate, so there is no any chance of you being recorded when the truck is off. The lights on the DashCam will change to indicate when privacy mode is activated. And as always, you can still out a ball cap over the inward facing camera when off duty if that makes you feel more comfortable.

Looks like Driver won't have to blaze the trail after all!! Haha

Like I suggested in my last diatribe, it's new technology, a work in progress. Fortunately Swift has recognized this as a shortcoming.

I saw that too, you're a braver man than I for bumping this.

Dang, I am out of popcorn.

"Blaze the trail afterall.." That is funny.

I was going to update this thread later this week, but might as well now.

My attitude towards the camera has changed almost 100% and want to provide some positive feedback.

When I switched trucks, I new there was going to be a camera and I was not excited. In fact, the first day, I hard braked enough to cause qualcomm to record an event and the camera, of course created a video. I was so focused on the device, it felt like my every move was being watched.

I have since had time to review Swifts policy and FAQ in detail, documentation from Lytx website and read through the California 1945 Assembly Bill along with numerous articles.

How the camera is implemented at Swift, is that on average only 10 seconds of video is uploaded daily. With good driving, you can go a week without any uploads! It's not creating these massive amount of daily videos, that I first thought.

When the red indicator lights activate, you know that a file is being saved. So, the camera is not secretly video taping you. This also gives you live feedback.

With off duty privacy. The trigger threshold appears to be set high, geared for high gforce, hard breaking, collisions, etc. I've purposely tried to active a video by going over large pot holes, speed bumps and it has not triggered. It did create a video, when I had to quickly stop for a red light, but it was scored a zero(non issue). It takes more than someone backing into you at a truck stop, they have to really ram into you. I guess it could happen, but the chance is in the millions. I don't think about it.

If I could suggest improvements, it is to allow 24hr video in the front camera. If there is an accident with a pedestrian/motorcycle, etc. the driver has to remember to manually initiate the record button, to guarantee a video.. Second recommendation is a beeping sound during video creation.

I recently spoke with a driver that draped his seat belt over his waist, rather than secure the buckle while driving. Another, was a team and they were not using the safety netting when sleeping in the bunk. Changing those habits may have saved their lives!

I feel comfortable driving with the camera now and I hope anyone thinking of working for a company that has an in cab camera, does not stop them. If you are at a company that will be installing them, relax and don't jump to conclusions. The key is how each individual company implements their program.

I hope this feedback provides better understanding, because this is a new technology.

Stay safe out there!

HALLELUJAH WE HAVE A CONVERT!!!

I am actually really glad someone took the time to do the research and read the materials available and get the CORRECT information instead of listening to all the conspiracy theorists out there....

HALLELUJAH WE HAVE A CONVERT!!!

I am actually really glad someone took the time to do the research and read the materials available and get the CORRECT information instead of listening to all the conspiracy theorists out there....

You mean I really don't need these glasses?

If you are at a company that will be installing them, relax and don't jump to conclusions. The key is how each individual company implements their program.

Man, everything you said sounded perfect until you had to ruin it with that last statement. No, it's not about how each individual company implements their program. They're all going to be implemented pretty much the same way. It's still about the same thing that trucking has always been about - being the type of person that's willing and able to shoulder the responsibility of driving someone else's 80,000 pound death machine surrounded by everyone else's families. That's a life or death proposition and if having a camera on you making sure you're doing your job the safest way possible is more than a person can handle then so is this job in my opinion.

If I could suggest improvements, it is to allow 24hr video in the front camera. If there is an accident with a pedestrian/motorcycle, etc. the driver has to remember to manually initiate the record button, to guarantee a video.

I recently spoke with a driver that draped his seat belt over his waist, rather than secure the buckle while driving. Another, was a team and they were not using the safety netting when sleeping in the bunk. Changing those habits may have saved their lives!

I agree and I stand by a point that Old School had first mentioned; there's no denying the fact that knowing a camera is on you will make you a better driver. I don't care who you are, it's going to make you better. You're going to be more attentive. You're going to focus more on your driving habits. Those who would normally be willing to take risks they shouldn't, like texting or reaching down to the floorboard to pick up something they've dropped, will think twice and almost certainly not take that risk any longer.

Glad to hear you're more at ease with it though. And in my opinion you should be. If you have what it takes to do this job safely and professionally then you can certainly do it with a camera there. It's all about personal responsibility and to me your evaluation sounds like it's coming from a professional that's willing to shoulder that level of responsibility.

You can add McElroy To the list of companies adding cameras. We've had some trucks running them as test vehicles and at our meeting today it was announced that they are signing up tomorrow to implement the system fleet wide. I forgot what company it's going to be but I'll find out and update later. Thought of cab cameras is initially kind of weird but I do think it's a positive thing.

Driver said "If I wanted to live in a country that does not value our rights, I would move to Russia. This is what makes america great and different from other countries. I don't own a firearm and personally would lIke all of them to be confiscated from the USA because the are "unsafe", but will fight for anything that restricts guns, because it is our constitutional right."

Driver , other than a trigger problem Remington had a while back on the 700 (corrected now). Guns are safe.

Driver , other than a trigger problem Remington had a while back on the 700 (corrected now). Guns are safe.

Sure, so are big rigs......unless the driver uses it to kill someone. To say something that is meant to kill people is "safe" kinda sounds dumb. Along those lines of thinking nuclear bombs are safe cuz they rarely go off accidentally.

We're not getting into a gun debate so let's drop that.

I applaud everyone that quit swift over the front facing dashcams. It's nice to see some people with integrity and a backbone around.