Dealing With Anger

Zen J, you said it all.

I was called in to the office about a sudden stop. We all watched the video. In the vid I stopped at the stop sign, looked both ways then a car ran other stop sign and I hit the brakes. Cleared me.

But I was also called in because I was caught eating Oreos while driving.

This reply has been on my mind for a bit.

Zen asks the question why would anyone be against driver facing cameras. It's a fair question. But also a loaded question.

There are indeed many good points to inward facing cams, and there are many bad points to having them without being on control of them. For me, the negative aspects outweigh the possible benefits. But it's not the camera itself, rather who is in control of the camera that matters.

When a company places the camera, it encourages a surveillance state which is the antithesis of freedom and individual liberty and independent thought. Our youngsters have a massive deficit in this area and it shows in their weakening physical motor skills and mechanical aptitude. It also reinforces corporate lordship and subjugation of the individual to the group. Granted, these are philosophical issues, but they matter.

A critical issue is that corporations use the cameras and data as tools to devalue labor. The less responsibility labor has individually, the less skilled they become, and the less the labor costs. It's not the primary reason, but it's very high on the priority list.

Along those lines, the cameras allow corporations to use inferior grade drivers, which are cheaper. The cameras are used to mitigate their poor driving habits and lack of skills and still allow them to be employed.

It may seem counterintuitive, but the corporations use of the camera eliminates personal motivation and accountability. The driver that grows up under the eyes of the Corp via the camera doesn't learn to take responsibility for his decisions, they don't get the real world repercussions of not paying attention. In the same way that we've raised a generation that doesn't know how to loose and take a beating, we end up letting people drive who just simply don't have the skills and judgement to do so at a professional level.

I've maintained for a long time that not everyone makes the team, not everyone makes the cut. If you require your management to supervise and manage your driving, you probably shouldn't be driving.

As far as the benefits go in terms of proving your good habits, I agree completely. In PJs case, he owns the camera, it's his discretion on what footage he allows to be viewed, he's in complete control.

We have no cameras at my company, they trust us to drive as professionals. I have my own cameras, just as PJ does, they are there to protect me. I have that choice though, and my paychecks are not attached to the camera. It's critical that I make that choice, not that the company forces it upon me.

Once again Davy you articulate explanation on your views hit the nail on the head !! lol.....I've never liked or needed "big brother"/ the boss, or especially customers, looking over my shoulder, while I do my job....

I remember 1 time especially at work for a Ford dealer in Cali. I was doing a laundry list of repairs to a gentlemans truck in my corner stall. This guy casually walks up and stands around watching, getting in my way. Customers are ONLY allowed in the shop when the boss brings them over. Anyway, this guy is not leaving, after I told him he needed to go to the waiting room and he is starting to get on my nerves. Finally, I drop my tools on my tool cart, and walked away to the coffee maker up front . He looks at me probably thinking "Where the hells he going?"

Well, I told my shop manager to get the guy outta my way, and up into the waiting room, before I go back to work on his truck!