Drivers have made their opinion on driver-facing cameras known – and it isn’t positive. A comprehensive study released Wednesday by the American Transportation Research Institute has revealed drivers much prefer to be monitored only through road-facing cameras over those that face them directly when behind the wheel.
“Driver-facing cameras are an important safety tool for carriers, but they must be managed carefully in order to leverage benefits with drivers, insurers, and attorneys,” said Jerry Sigmon Jr., chief operating officer for Cargo Transporters Inc. “ATRI’s research on in-cab cameras provides an important blueprint for both carriers using these technologies as well as carriers still contemplating the investment.”
Despite the rising popularity of in-cab cameras, survey results reveal that drivers are not entirely supportive. Drivers on average gave a mere 2.24 approval rating out of 10 while female drivers had an even lower sentiment towards the technology – with only 1.98 compared to their male counterparts’ 2.27 mark.
ATRI’s findings revealed that low scores in the trucking industry are a result of lack of familiarity with camera systems, perplexity over carrier policies and heightened anxiety regarding privacy.
Drivers found road-facing cameras significantly more agreeable, rating them an 8.19 out of 10.
The study also asked drivers what they would propose to increase the acceptance of driver-facing cameras. These suggestions included:
- 18.8% view only after crash
- 16.7% off when not moving
- 13.7% full driver control
- 11.6 less fault finding
- 9.1% less sensitive triggers
- 7.3% commensurate pay increase
- 7% full driver access
- 6.7% end punitive use
- 5.8% probation drivers only
- 3.3% better communication
In addition, the study included some comments from drivers. Below are a few of those comments.
- “With a driver-facing camera, you get the feeling that you are being watched 100 percent of the time. I know that is not the case, but it’s the perception. The company has to find a way to assure the driver that they are not looking to punish the driver for every little thing that they may do wrong.” – LTL Driver
- “[DFCs] actually endanger my safety and those around me, because I feel stressed and nervous about being watched, even though I’m doing nothing wrong.” – LTL Driver
- “When I was a company driver my company installed driver-facing cameras. That put my stress level through the roof and made me the least safe driver I have ever been. It is also what drove me to purchase my own truck.” – Specialized Driver
- “Female drivers were sexually harassed by staff members with access to the driver-facing cameras. For an OTR driver, it’s no different than if your employer had a camera facing you in your personal car, your working space, in your living room, your bedroom, your kitchen, and even your bathroom on occasion.” – Truckload Driver
- “It’s hard to accept a camera pointed at you in your work/living space. This isn’t like an office job where cameras may be all over a building. The truck is our workspace but also our personal space just like a home. A company may own the truck, but it doesn’t give them the right to have a camera looking at me. Landlords can’t install cameras in their homes to make sure tenants are following rules.” – Intermodal Driver
ATRI reported that about 2,100 drivers responded to the survey.
To request a PDF of the entire report, click HERE.
Source: truckersnews
