Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/725427
36 commercial carrier journal | september 2016 I f you are a motor carrier, video event recorders are now either the "first thing you do" for safety and risk management or "one of the last things you do because you've done everything else," says Drew Schimelp- fenig, safety product and integrations manager at Omnitracs. "We are ready for any part of the market." The Federal Highway Administration reports that fatal accidents involving trucks and passenger cars are more than three times as likely to result from the car driver's behavior. However, when cases are litigated, the transportation company historically bears as much as 90 percent of the damages. Video event recorders can provide vi- sual proof for fleet managers toward the exoneration of drivers in the litigation of critical events. "At Gypsum Express, our drivers make the difference, and we believe in using all technology of the tools and technology at our disposal to enhance their jobs," said John Wight, owner of the Baldwinsville, N.Y.-based company. "This provides us with the supporting evidence to understand what happened at a given encoun- ter and either supports our driver's actions or gives us tools for ongoing training." About 18 months ago, Omnitracs began gathering feedback – starting with attendees at the company's user conference in Dallas – to develop an integrated video system for its existing in-cab and mobile fleet management platforms. Last month, Omnitracs released Critical Event Video, its new in-cab video solution. Fleets can use the new integrated tool to improve driver training and mitigate the liabil- ity risks associated with accidents and other critical events such as hard braking, hard stops, loss of stability control and improper following distance, the company said. CEV is fully integrated with Omnitracs' Critical Event Reporting to match front- facing and optional driver-facing video with factors such as hard braking, speeding, stability control, following time and collision warning/mitigation, as well as informa- tion about the time and location of the event and the truck's actual speed. Pricing is another differentiator for CEV, as fleets can leverage their existing Om- FOUR-WHEELER'S FAULT: Fatal accidents involving trucks and passenger cars are likely to result from the car driver's behavior. 18-WHEELER'S LIABILITY: When cases are litigated, the transportation company bears as much as 90 percent of the damages. ACCURATE ACCOUNT: Omnitracs gathered feedback to develop an integrated video system for its in-cab and mobile platforms. Keys, camera, action Omnitracs adds video option to in-cab, mobile platforms Omnitracs' Critical Event Video is fully integrated with its Critical Event Reporting to match front- facing and optional driver-facing video with driving factors. Video event recorders can provide visual proof for fleet managers toward the exoneration of drivers in the litigation of critical events.