On-board camera captures trucker’s heroic actions

Avatar photo

PITTSBURGH, Penn. — Think on-board cameras are used only to monitor drivers and punish them for bad driving behaviours? That’s not always the case, as evidenced by a recent example in which a camera helped capture a potentially life-saving maneuver, resulting in the driver receiving a distinguished award.

Harry Cogswell, a 25-year driver for Pitt Ohio was driving along I-94 near Ann Arbor, Mich., when he came across an overturned car in his lane. With nearly no time to respond, he steered and braked hard to avoid the collision, just as an occupant of the car was emerging from his vehicle.

While Cogswell parked his truck to return on foot, a bus rounded the same corner and plowed into the car – fortunately, after the motorist escaped.

Cogswell’s truck was equipped with SafetyDirect from Bendix, which provides fleet owners with a Web portal through which they can monitor real-time driver performance data. The system features video-capture capabilities, recording incidences like the one Cogswell was involved in.

“Harry’s driving experience and trained response allowed him to avoid that accident, giving the other driver a crucial bit of extra time to escape safely,” said Jeff Mercadante, director of safety at Pitt Ohio. “The SafetyDirect video and data from that morning show that he had just two seconds to react before his truck would have hit the car. SafetyDirect told the story…The video and accompanying information give us conclusive facts as to what is happening on the roads. This allows us to sit down with drivers and conduct very specific reviews, which enables much more effective coaching.”

Cogswell was honoured with a Truckload Carriers Association Highway Angel award for his actions.

Avatar photo

Truck News is Canada's leading trucking newspaper - news and information for trucking companies, owner/operators, truck drivers and logistics professionals working in the Canadian trucking industry.


Have your say


This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.

*

  • There are countless professional drivers who , because of their professionalism, save lives every day. We just don’t hear of them. Hats off to this truck driver for his quick actions. We need to keep in mind that these men and women are not just “truck drivers”, they are moms and dads, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, grandpas and grandmas. These fine people are delivering our gas to gas stations so that we can get to work everyday and provide for our families. Everything that you use everyday is brought in by a commercial driver. Lets give them a tip of the hat and say thanks!