As the popularity of GPS tracking devices has grown within the fleet management industry, so have dashboard cameras in recent years. Fleet managers find that the ease of being able to keep track of their drivers throughout the workday is just as invaluable with GPS technology as it is with dash cams. You may be wondering, what are dash cams and how can they be integrated into your business? We have all the answers for how you can enhance your fleet management software with dash cams.
What are dash cams?
Dash cams are cameras that attach to the dashboard of your vehicle that can record the events both inside and outside of the vehicle. With dash cam technology, it’s finally possible to keep tabs on your vehicles 24/7. Many fleet operators find the ability to monitor their fleets with cameras to be invaluable to knowing what is happening with their vehicles round the clock. (Read more: 4 Reasons GPS Tracking is Crucial for Fleet Managers)
Benefits of dash cams
Dash cams are easy to install and operate
Linxup dash cams take a total of six minutes to install. Plus, they are free of harsh adhesives that can cause damage to windshields or dashboards. Dash cameras aren't all complicated, especially not this one.
Adding a dash cam is also an easy next step that allows you to have a fully integrated monitoring system that connects flawlessly with your new or existing Linxup GPS tracking devices.
24-hour fleet protection
Dash cams are the extra eyes you need to keep up with your fleet throughout all hours of the day. Whether your vehicles are in parking mode or in motion, you can receive video or image alerts for:
- Nearby movement
- Collisions
- Breaking glass
- Harsh braking
Dash cams also have video recording features that can capture certain events that happen in an instant. Once these traffic events are recorded, the clips can be found in the cloud database. Both the front and rear-facing cameras have a wide field of view.
Reduce false claims and liability
Observe what’s happening with your fleet thanks to the help of front and rear-facing cameras that capture both driver behavior and traffic events. Being able to see all aspects of your vehicles allows you to reduce false claims and liability when it comes to accidents, theft, and more.
How to incorporate dash cams into your fleet
Many fleet drivers can show reluctance when it comes to changes, especially when it comes to vehicle monitoring. If you’re worried about how your drivers will react to incorporating dash cams into your fleet, don't! Here are a few tips to make the transition easier and approachable for employees.
Transparency is Good for the Workplace
It’s always best to be open and honest with your employees when it comes to changes within the company. Adding dash cam software to vehicles is a change that directly affects your drivers, so you should be completely transparent about the fact that new dash cams will be used in each vehicle.
Also be clear about how the dash cams will be used. Your best employees will be thankful for it. Transparency builds trust with your employees and allows them to feel more comfortable about the dash cams being there. But it also provides a layer of safety and security that protects the right people, and deters the wrong ones.
In addition to transparency about the dash cam devices themselves, inform them about how the footage will be used. Be sure to explain potential consequences and responsibilities that are expected. Be very concrete explaining any misuse on the driver’s part that you do not want to see.
A system in which warnings will be issued first as a cautionary protocol, followed by more serious consequences if certain poor behaviors continue is one way to implement dash cams. Another way is to incentivize safe driving behavior.
Dash cam tutorials for your fleet drivers
The best way to start using dash cams as a part of your fleet of vehicles is to offer an overview on how the technology works. Make it safe to ask questions so no one feels intimidated by new technology.
Having an open platform for drivers to ask questions, and seek help if there’s anything they may not understand about the new device will help the drivers you employ to adapt quickly and adopt the changes.
Ultimately, dash cams are intended more for driver safety than it is for driver surveillance. But with either case, the business owner deserves to know what is going on with their equipment and make decisions based on those facts. With a dash camera business owners can get important information sent to them immediately.
Linxup dash cams record and store footage in the cloud database when certain events take place. If drivers understand that only certain footage is uploaded and when these events can be viewed, they’ll be more open to the idea of the technology being used on a day-to-day basis.
Bottom line: The dash cams speed up your ability to respond and act when important events occur with your employees, vehicles, and customers.
(Read How to Prevent Fleet Vehicle & Asset Theft)
Start a rewards program for safe drivers
Get your drivers more engaged and excited about work with a rewards program for safe driving. Offering incentives for good driving behavior will make your drivers better on the road while allowing them to not worry about the dash cam in their vehicle. The better their driving is, the less they need to think about the dash cam capturing any poor driving events.
Dash cam technology can help improve your overall fleet performance, ensure the safety of each driver and vehicle, and prevent theft. As GPS tracking is becoming more prominent in fleet businesses, dash cams are also beginning to be on fleet operators’ radars.
For more information about the dash cams that we offer, check out our site here.
