Driver Facing Cam Question

In typical fashion, the “camera discussion” takes a turn...

Mark, the content of most replies to the OP; provided valid and tangible reasons why the camera; both internally and road facing can be a highly valuable teaching tool and record actual events and driver behavior that preceded any accident or incident. Thus potentially clearing a driver of any wrong doing, as the example given by Bobcat Bob and the relevance of my reply to his post; “not to be feared”.

Pontificating the frivolity or validity of a lawsuit and the website of an ambulance chasing attorney, is neither useful or relevant. Please try to focus on the information presented as a way to increase knowledge/understanding and not as a catalyst to take the exchange in a completely different direction. The “camera” is an important discussion...especially when someone is completely wrong or misguided in their understanding of use, operation and how they can be a supplemental “insurance policy” that costs the driver nothing.

Please ask yourself this question...

How was your reply valuable to the OP or anyone else reading this as a new comer. I don’t mean to single you out, honestly I don’t, but please try to read the entire contents of a thread before attempting to post a reply. Especially when a reply based on firsthand experience is called for like it is here. Otherwise the initial context of the thread can be quickly lost or diluted.

I have a few questions about these cameras. Seriously. Are they always on? Are they triggered by an "event? Are there different systems? Have any major companies tried them and then abandoned the program?

I have a few questions about these cameras. Seriously. Are they always on? Are they triggered by an "event? Are there different systems? Have any major companies tried them and then abandoned the program?

Always on? Depends how the owner (company) configured it

Event triggered; uploads 10 seconds before and after the event. They do not stream and contrary to what many would have you believe they do not stream in real-time and cannot be enabled to upload remotely. The driver can manually upload to capture something they want the company to see. I manually uploaded several tears ago when I was witnessing a road rage event...

There are many different systems; google them.

Swift abandoned the driver facing capability for our cameras over a year ago.

There is tons of content on cameras...use the search facility and you’ll find days worth of reading.

Past Camera Discussions

OK G. Points taken.

I believe I read the entire thread. Followed the link and was responding to what I saw. Seemed like a natural evolution not an abrupt turn or hijack at the time, to me, anyway.

So I once read about a company turning on the driver-facing camera at night when the driver was in the sleeper berth on his "10". The claim was that they did it more details than once and with the intent to harass. Seems unlikely but...

I have no issues with "event triggered" driver facing. So to upload 10 seconds before the event it would have to always be recording - maybe just not transmitting until the event.

Pretty easy to catch a driver not doing something like mirror scans every 8 seconds in 11 driving hours out of a 14 hour day.

Don't forget other technology in the truck. JB Hunt knows if you are using your phone while driving once their Drive app is installed on your smartphone. It won't let you access the app if moving (even as a passenger or co-driver/trainee). If they had a driver-facing camera it would show whether or not that use was hands free but company policy prohibits both!

Marc Lee wrote:

So I once read about a company turning on the driver-facing camera at night when the driver was in the sleeper berth on his "10". The claim was that they did it more details than once and with the intent to harass. Seems unlikely but...

Total, unadulterated BS. Myth...lore and "internet truth" at it's finest. If in doubt, hang your cap or t-shirt over the lens..."done".

I have no issues with "event triggered" driver facing. So to upload 10 seconds before the event it would have to always be recording - maybe just not transmitting until the event.

You got it. They constantly record, and only store 20 seconds worth of content.

If your company has camera technology they are required by law to fully disclose their existence and how they function, including how they are triggered. Swift has this published on their driver portal.