DriveCam Initiates Video Event Recorder Pilot Program
IVsource.net
28 June 2001

San Diego-based DriveCam Video Systems has initiated a year-long pilot program with four commercial vehicle fleets to evaluate reduction in losses resulting from installation of the DriveCam video event data recorder.

DriveCam Video Systems (San Diego) has initiated a year-long pilot program with four commercial vehicle fleets to evaluate reduction in losses resulting from installation of the DriveCam video event data recorder.  A palm-sized wide-angle video recorder is mounted at the center of the windshield looking outwards: everything the driver sees and hears in the 20 seconds before, during, and after an unusual driving incident is recorded, according to the company.  Video is recorded automatically when G-forces equivalent to a crash at 7 mph or greater are encountered.

In the pilot program, 150 vehicles will be used to evaluate the impact of the system on the frequency and severity of damage caused by unsafe driving.  Currently, DriveCam is installed in over 1,000 commercial vehicles.

Tran-Star Executive Transportation Services in North Babylon, NY, is one of the fleets in the pilot program.  Within weeks of installing DriveCam in its 65 vehicles, the company purportedly began experiencing loss reductions.  In addition, the company has actually used DriveCam event recordings as evidence in accident disputes to prove its vehicles were not at fault.

"DriveCam adds another dimension to the fleet management process," said Steven Paul, Tran-Star president and CEO.  "It gives fleet managers the opportunity to evaluate a driver's response to unexpected situations.  In addition to reducing accident claims, it gives our managers the ability to counsel drivers about their specific driving habits, such as hitting curbs, cornering too fast, or accelerating too rapidly.  This facilitates safe driving and ultimately can lower our operating costs."

According to Ed Andrew, president of DriveCam Video, "fleets using DriveCam have already experienced a reduction in insurance premiums of up to 20 percent due to fewer losses and faster claims processing."  He goes on to say that the data gathered in this pilot study will be used "to further demonstrate the benefits of DriveCam to fleet operators and the insurance industry."

DriveCam's digital recording mechanism allows fleet managers to easily view an event on a TV, camcorder, or personal computer.  Seeing and hearing an event just as the driver did provides viewers with valuable insight that can be used to improve driving practices.  The complete Driving Feedback System from DriveCam includes a manager's guide, driver guide, instructional videotape, and Event Manager software for logging and tracking vehicle events.

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