In the past decade, technology has played an invaluable role in the efficient and effective management of haulage work and freight forwarding. You may already be using telematics and tracking systems, but one of the most important pieces of technology that you should invest in is a dashboard camera.
The latest 3G cameras, an upgrade on the older SD versions, roll constantly, providing high-quality footage of drivers’ conduct. By providing a visible record of their behaviour on the road, these cameras have been invaluable in increasing driver safety and liability. They also offer a variety of logistical and financial perks for the purpose of fleet management.
Don’t believe me? Let me explain some of the benefits of installing 3G dashboard cameras.
Clear Footage that Can Be Reviewed Immediately
As I’m sure you know, insurance companies require pages and pages of reports whenever an insurance claim is filed, from both you and the other party involved. They may even ask for eyewitness accounts.
With a 3G Dashboard Camera, however, the entire incident gets recorded. After an accident, the video footage can simply be downloaded and reviewed straightaway. Providing a clear explanation of what occurred and how, making a claim will become a quicker and more straightforward process.
Faster Incident Notifications
Thanks to live 3G connectivity, you can receive text messages and emails, which warn you that an incident has just occurred. Not only can you immediately check up on the health and safety of the driver who was carrying out haulage work, but you also won’t have to wait for their collision report to file a claim. You’ll automatically receive all of the data relevant to the accident, and can then send it to the insurance company and make a claim within minutes, radically speeding up the whole process.
Easily and Remotely Maintained
Unlike SD cameras, 3G cameras can be maintained remotely. Rather than wasting time by going for manual check-ups that put the vehicle out of action, you can look up whether the camera is performing correctly online. You’ll only need to hire someone if there’s a technical malfunction that needs fixing, which will reduce the costs of labour, too.
Potentially Reduced Insurance Costs
As you may know, vehicles equipped with dashboard cameras benefit from discounted insurance rates. Although this doesn’t apply to 3G dashboard cameras just yet, their increasingly popularity suggests that fleets that boast these installations will soon receive the majority of insurance companies’ fiscal benefits.
Reliable
Put simply: footage doesn’t lie. While eye-witness accounts can be inaccurate or unreliable, particularly when they’re taken while the drivers are still in shock, dashboard cameras record the events as they happen. The footage can’t be tampered with either, so facts can’t be falsified to support incorrect or unfair accusations. The culprit(s) will be held responsible, and the case quickly put to rest.
All in all, 3G cameras have a positive impact on both the safety of your drivers carrying out haulage work and on the cost of insurance. Why put off installing them in your fleet when you could start reaping the benefits today?
Norman Dulwich is a Correspondent for Haulage Exchange, the leading online trade network for the road transport industry. Connecting logistics professionals across the UK and Europe through their website, Haulage Exchange provides services for matching haulage work with available drivers. Over 5,000 member companies are networked together through the Exchange to fill empty capacity, get new clients and form long-lasting business relationships.
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