In a world where you need to ensure your fleet drivers are safe, video telematics makes your job easier. By combining telematics data with HD video footage from dashcams, video telematics systems allow managers to understand their drivers’ behavior and provide coaching opportunities so the drivers can improve.
At Morey, as a leader in connected vehicle technology, we believe in making information about video telematics easily accessible. This article aims to explain how video telematics works as well as the benefits for drivers and fleet managers.
How do Video Telematics Work?
Previously, we’ve covered the basics of telematics and how Morey and Navixy worked to provide customers with outstanding Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS). Now it’s time to dive into video telematics.
Often the main component of driver safety and risk management programs, video telematics uses sensors and dashcams to reveal driving behavior. For instance, sensors on the vehicle can detect harsh acceleration, harsh braking, harsh cornering, and excessive idling time, among other risky driving behaviors.
The dashcams installed in the vehicle record the event and then the video telematics software makes the footage available to fleet managers and drivers, who can use this information to make improvements.
The most advanced technology in fleet management includes AI cameras. By combining video footage with artificial intelligence, fleet managers get a more holistic view of the driver’s experience and then use that data to make important business decisions.
The Benefits of Video Telematics
Because video telematics is such an innovative field, fleet management companies are still discovering all the ways to incorporate video telematics into their business. Here are a few of the top benefits of video telematics, including the use cases for fleet managers.
- Improve Driver Experience: If your driver is involved in a not-at-fault accident, you can all rest assured that the video will provide protection against reputational or legal damage.
- Improve road safety: With the combination of video footage and AI, the road-facing and driver-facing cameras identify risky situations and warn the drivers before a negative outcome occurs. For instance, the road-facing camera might capture tailgating, missing stop signs, speeding, and poor lane centering.
- Combat Fraud: Prove that your drivers are not guilty if an accident occurs. Alternatively, if the accident is unavoidable, video telematics ensures that claims and damages are not exaggerated.
Taking this a step further, when you combine the power of AI with video telematics, there are even more applications, including:
- Breaking Bad Habits– With AI cameras you can identify if a driver is distracted or drowsy, while also acknowledging when the driver takes positive action. For instance, an AI camera might alert the driver if he or she takes out a mobile phone while operating the vehicle. In turn, this redirects the driver and encourages better habits.
- Providing Context – There are always two sides to a story. For instance, a video telematics device might detect harsh braking, but by coupling this with AI, you might find that the root cause was the driver being cut off. On the contrary, if a driver has difficulty changing lanes, the AI camera might detect that this is an issue with leaving enough space between the vehicle in front. By getting the full story, you can provide better coaching opportunities for drivers.
- Automated Coaching – If the AI camera can capture all the information about a driver’s habits, it’s certainly possible to automate the coaching process. Managers can feel at ease knowing that their video telematics system is continuously providing drivers with the support they need to improve.
Common Misconceptions About Video Telematics
Unfortunately, many are wary of employing video telematics solutions due to common misconceptions. Below, we outline some of the arguments against video telematics and why they are false:
- Violation of Privacy: While video telematics does locate a vehicle and, consequently, its driver, the system does not track the driver itself. Many people confuse video telematics with GPS tracking systems, but the two are not the same. While a driver’s GPS is often downloaded onto a driver’s phone, video telematics are solely installed in the vehicle. This means once the driver leaves the car, their location is not tracked.
- Too Expensive: Telematics is only as expensive as you need it to be. If you have a large, corporate-sized fleet of vehicles to equip, telematics may cost up to $1,000 per month. However, for smaller fleets that don’t need to equip as many vehicles, it may be even cheaper.
- Complex Integration: There are tons of video telematics solutions out there, which means it is possible to integrate your video solution with your existing vehicle telematics system. For example, one option is to add a standalone video telematics dashcam to your windscreen, but alternatively, you can fully integrate a video solution into your existing fleet management system.
What Happens Without Video Telematics?
People are very concerned with the potential problems with video telematics, but it’s crucial to understand the consequences that occur with advanced technology. Below, we’ll provide some information about what happens without video telematics.
To start, let’s introduce some unfortunate statistics:
- NHTSA estimates 42,915 fatalities resulting from motor vehicle accidents in 2021
- 74% of all motor vehicle fatalities include a truck
- Each fatality cost $5.4 million on average.
According to the latest NHTSA report, traffic fatalities in several categories showed a significant increase in 2021 compared to 2020. These areas include:
- Daytime driving fatalities (up 11%)
- During out-of-state travel (up 15%)
- In multi-vehicle crashes (up 16%)
- In crashes involving at least one large truck (up 13%)
- In speeding-related crashes (up 5%)
At Morey, we never want to forget that behind each number, there’s a life and a family. Implementing video telematics puts safeguards in place to mitigate risk.
By monitoring all aspects of driving behavior, video telematics allows drivers to correct their mistakes before they become fatal. An early warning is essential for preventing accidents and fatalities.
Conclusion
Video telematics is changing the way companies keep track of their vehicles and ensure driver safety. While there are many misconceptions surrounding the system, video telematics is, in fact, incredibly useful for the everyday planning and tracking of a fleet of any size.
Morey brings smart, connected solutions to life through collaborative design, world-class production, and off-the-shelf hardware platforms. To learn more about partnering with us for your fleet management solution, contact us today.