Compelling statistics support the use of dash cams based solely on the ability to prove that the driver in your construction fleet was not at fault. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) conducted studies from 2007 to 2009 that reviewed 6,131 fatal crashes involving cars and trucks.
FMCSA’s Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts (September 2022) showed that at least one driver-related factor was reported for 32% of large truck drivers in fatal crashes in 2020, compared with 55% of passenger vehicle drivers with fatalities. accidents
Large truck accidents on the rise
Crashes involving large trucks, including dump trucks and flatbed trucks carrying construction equipment, are on the rise. According to the National Safety Council, between 2010 and 2019 there was a 43% increase in fatal accidents.
Construction companies don’t always buy the shiny new object in safety technology, and it’s no different with dash cameras. They want to make sure that these devices will provide financial savings before investing in them. However, many of these companies have moved to dash cams in recent years due to the value of the exemption.
Exonerating even one driver involved in an accident with significant litigation risk will pay for the investment in dash cameras many times over. In addition, proof of the driver’s innocence avoids having to hire and train a new driver. Dash cams level the playing field, defending drivers and construction companies against wrongful claims.
Dashcam video clips can be instrumental in proving that your driver was doing the right things at the right time. In the absence of video evidence, relying on eyewitness testimony is a gamble, especially when the statistics favor the driver and company not being at fault.
Dash Cam return on investment
No other piece of technology in the cabin offers such a substantial amount return on investment in multiple areas of your company. With dashcams, the ability to proactively manage your risk and improve operations is important.
Even if you can’t completely exonerate your driver, video evidence can still motivate a plaintiff to settle faster and for less than expected. Your video may show that the situation was not as serious as the previous statements indicated.
