The problem of safety and law compliance in the shipping industry forces operators to decide on new solutions. Installing video cameras inside the cab of the truck was one of that kind. The first and foremost reason for this security solution was to improve road safety. However, truckers still consider such an innovation an invasion of privacy.
The latest research provided by American Transport Research Institute (ATRI) shows several important facts about the attitude to this innovation by the industry representatives. Let’s look a bit closer at the report by ATRI on this issue.
The first fact is that shipping companies’ owners are mostly speaking out for the installation of video cameras in their fleet’s cabs as they consider this technology to be helpful for road safety maintenance, insurance claims development, and attorney’s work in case of lawsuits.
Drivers are not so happy with the technology. As the research shows, among 650 respondents, the rate for this solution is only 2.24 (a scale from 0 to 10 was applied). Among the opponents who don’t agree with cameras installed inside the truck cab, she-drivers are in the majority.
This trend is evoking, as analysts say, because of concerns about cameras’ operation. Truck drivers consider them to be an invasion of privacy. Besides, there is a distrust of the operators of these cameras and strong fears that the details of personal life will become available to strangers.
Is there a solution, then? As the developers of this technology say, there are two main operation modes for inside-the-cab cameras. The first is when cameras provide streamlined recording all the time, while the second offers their turning on only in dangerous on-road situations. The last option received more approval among truckers.
From a legal point of view, the use of cameras inside the driver’s cab is quite acceptable, because, in case of disputes, the camera recording will help establish the truth. At the same time, lawyers insist that an operation mode should be used, in which cameras are turned on at the time of an emergency situation. In addition, there is a need on the part of the company’s management to build an algorithm for the operation of cameras and record management in such a way as to protect the privacy of drivers and their personal data as much as possible.