Thoughts On Forward Facing Cameras.

A few years ago my dad worked for Con-Way freight they installed both foward and driver cameras, there was more than one occasion where one or both of the cameras proved the Con-Way drivers innocence in a accident.

Also a few times it went the other way unfortunately as well.

CFI has both forward and driver facing cams. The driver facing ones are off unless you are new or get in some trouble. They are monitored by the company they are contracted with. They only flag the ones that meet CFI's parameters.

I just drive. If my truck or camera ever tells CFI I did something wrong, I expect I'll here from them. However, I usually tell on myself first.

Donald, are you getting a bunch of video coaching events sent to you or are you just worried about it? I’ve been driving for Roehl for 6 months. My first month solo I had a few videos sent to me for various things. Now I almost never get them. Like Old School said they made me a better driver.

Following are some of the common things that will trigger the camera and how to avoid them. If you drive with the safe seven you were taught in GYCDL, you’ll virtually eliminate the videos.

Slow down & stay back- When the warning light comes on saying you’re too close. You need to get your following distance back. Just back off a bit and you’ll be fine.

Know Whats Happening- come to a full stop at all stop signs, watch for stale green lights.

Expect the expected, Yield to others and reduce the risk- hard brakes are most often a result of either not being aware (see above) or being too aggressive. Expect everyone around you to exhibit the worst possible driving behavior and react accordingly. That driver you see coming up on you fast will cut you off to get to the exit your approaching. Expect it and let it happen. Fight it and you’ll end up with a video sent to you.

Prepare to drive- Have your snacks, drinks, sunglasses, smokes and whatever else you need ready to go. Reaching around the cabin will cause a lane departure. Also, knowing your route and stopping points will help prevent hard brakes, stability alerts and all sorts of other bad things from last minute lane changes.

Hope that helps. If you are getting specific coaching events let us know and we can help. As I mentioned, as you get better the videos will go away. I honestly thing they’re not sent as a bad thing but as a way to help be a safer professional driver.

SAIA wouldn't even permit you to drink ANYTHING while driving with their driver facing camera.

SAIA wouldn't even permit you to drink ANYTHING while driving with their driver facing camera.

Casey's general store in the midwest is the same way. My current job has atleast a dozen guys that came over when they installed cameras on their trucks, including atleast 5 guys that had been there 25+ years. They said if you were flagged for lane departure twice within 10 minutes they called you to coach you about being more alert. Well no crap!

Jokes on them, in my last review my manager told me they're considering installing them due to insurance discounts however they aren't considering driver facing at this time due to many drivers being opposed. It's their equipment, if they want to install them so be it.

We can't forget Errol getting a call about eating Oreos while at swift

Prime only installs driver facing cameras in the drivers "most likely to have an accident". They use them as training resources... there is a great video on Prime's YT channel where the safety manager explains they don't want to "get you"... they want to improve you... then want you to train other drivers to become as good as you. It is win/win for the company.

I have never had a camera.