• Carriers must decide on the metrics to be captured by dashcams, such as speeding, acceleration, hard-breaking, tailgating, cornering too fast, lane drift, and rolling stops.
• Carriers should consider running a pilot program for 2-3 months to establish which event triggers will permanently appear in the program.
• The pilot program requires carrier transparency with drivers, acceptance of driver and union feedback, and dialog between designated coaches.

In recent years, in-cab video systems (dashcams) have become an essential risk management tool. Like other onboard systems, such as electronic control modules and electronic logging devices, dashcams assist motor carriers in collecting and analyzing data on commercial drivers. These safety metrics help identify unsafe driving behaviors before an accident happens.

As dashcams are set up for a fleet, the carrier must first decide on the metrics to be captured and then launch a pilot program to test the equipment and educate drivers.

Choose metrics

As the metrics to be captured are chosen, the carrier must review what is currently being measured, such as hours-of-service limit violations, productivity, accidents and citations, and service.

Cameras can capture many other behaviors, including:

• Speeding and hard acceleration
• Hard-braking
• Following too closely/tailgating
• Cornering too fast
• Lane drift
• Rolling stops

Once “event triggers” are selected, implementation requires testing the equipment and preparing drivers.

Launching a pilot program

Carriers may need to work on driver acceptance by gradually rolling out the dashcam program. Rollout is also a time to work out the kinks in the system and make sure the cameras are mounted in compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).

Mounting dashcams — Before starting a pilot program, carriers should be aware that dashcams must be mounted in accordance with 393.60 which prohibits obstructions to the driver’s field of view by devices mounted to the inside of the windshield. Video event recorders, and other safety devices as defined in 393.5 (allowed under a five-year exemption in August of 2018), may be mounted on the inside windshield of commercial motor vehicles.

• Mounting rules — Since September 23, 2016, these devices may be placed no more than four inches below the upper edge and no more than seven inches above the lower edge of the area swept by the vehicle’s windshield wipers, unless the dashcam vendor has an exception that allows their dashcam to be mounted differently.
• Mounting exemption — J. J. Keller® received a 5-year FMCSA exemption on November 24, 2020, for an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) camera that has artificial intelligence to warn of rolling stops, and other events, to mount dashcams eight inches below the upper edge of the area swept by the windshield wipers, outside of the driver’s and passenger’s normal sight lines to the road and highway signs and signals, as well as mirrors.

The pilot — Consider running a test period for at least 2-3 months, which:

• Sets up a test group. This test will assist in establishing which event triggers will permanently appear in the program. The pilot program may be most effective at company locations with a history of risky driving behavior.
• Starts with a baseline of at least 2-3 weeks where trigger events are just measured, and no coaching takes place.

Transparency and feedback needed — Transparency is needed throughout the implementation process. Carriers should explain to drivers how the video will be used, what is defined as a trigger event, and proposed coaching requirements. To avoid major missteps in a fleet-wide rollout, carriers should consider driver and union feedback during and immediately after the test program.

Testing ground for coaches — The pilot group is also a testing ground for a carrier’s designated coaches. Training for coaches might involve watching a video together, discussing what is being viewed, and coming to an agreement on the event. This dialog should assist coaches in the future, so they are comfortable with asking for a second opinion. During this testing period and going forward, coaches need to be trained on how to approach drivers with the goal of improving drivers’ skills (helping them become more confident, safe, and productive). Be careful not to adopt a “you’re busted” mind-set.