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We are often asked about where fleet operators can place cameras in their vehicle recovery trucks. There are many possibilities based on 3 key considerations: Recording of journey footage, driver safety and load monitoring.
So, let’s look at these options in turn:
Recording Journey Footage
When an incident happens, you will need footage to help you defend claims. To meet this need you’ll need a forward-facing camera (fitted just at the top of the windscreen), two side cameras (fitted on the near-side and off-side of the cab facing backwards along the body of the truck), and also a rear camera (which can be installed either low down by the bottom rail or on top of the cab facing backwards).
Some people think that a single dashcam is adequate, which is simply not the case. Have a read of these two articles and you’ll understand why:
Throw Your Dashcam Away Article
Why You Need A Connected Plan Article
In summary, if your primary purpose for fitting camera to your truck is protecting your fleet and managing risk, then you need at least front, two sides and rear cameras.
Driver Safety
Vehicle recovery truck drivers tend to drive in and around cities and can be exposed to abuse, road rage and physical attacks. A dome camera installed inside the cab can record anything that happens.
Another benefit of this is that, in the event of an accident, the driver will have evidence to show that they were paying attention and were not on the phone or distracted in some other way.
The very presence of in-cab cameras has been shown to have a marked reduction in incidences of accidents caused by distraction and mobile use.
Load Monitoring/ Work Safety
A major concern for rigid tow-truck drivers is load monitoring and making sure the loading of a vehicle on a tow truck is carried out safely. There have been cases where workers have been killed on the job so having cameras is crucial to improve training and recording any incident that may occur. To do this a camera on the cab facing backwards over the load will oversee the load and the loading process.
Other considerations
ProVision DVR units accept multiple data inputs that will trigger ‘events’, which includes alarms, doors opening, tailgate operating, reverse gear and indicators, among others. This allows the fleet manager to be immediately notified every time the van doors are opened, say outside of normal hours and in turn this creates an event recording for review.
