Truckers not fans of driver-facing cameras due to privacy concerns

by Today's Trucking

Truckers do not hold driver-facing cameras (DFCs) in high regard, with users giving them an approval score of 2.24 on a 0-to-10 scale, the latest American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) report reveals.

Low scores are driven in part by limited experience, confusion over the variety of camera systems, unclear carrier policies, and strong concerns about privacy. Women expressed concerns over the protection of their privacy with driver-facing cameras 34% more than did men.

Picture of a camera
(Photo: iStock)

Insurance and litigation experts expressed preference for event-based DFCs over continuously recording cameras, and they concurred with drivers that primary video footage access should be limited to safety managers as much as possible.

“Driver-facing cameras are an important safety tool for carriers, but they must be managed carefully in order to leverage benefits with drivers, insurers and attorneys,” said Jerry Sigmon Jr., chief operating officer for Cargo Transporters. “ATRI’s research on in-cab cameras provides an important blueprint for both carriers using these technologies as well as carriers still contemplating the investment.”

On-off notifications

Research showed that drivers with event-based cameras gave DFCs an overall approval rating 22% higher than did drivers with continuously recording cameras – primarily due to privacy concerns.

ATRI recommends that carriers should leverage privacy modes that ensure DFCs are inactive whenever a truck is parked, and they should only use cameras that have on-off notifications.

Overall driver approval of DFCs increased by 87% when carriers used footage for developing preventive safety programs, new driver training, and ongoing driver coaching, the report said.

Legal concerns

Legal experts expressed concerns that plaintiffs can use footage or policies that result in excessively frequent coaching against drivers even when not directly related to a case; these concerns were also shared by truck drivers.

ATRI suggested carriers should delete footage that does not depict an incident as soon as internal review or coaching is completed, in accordance with formal carrier policies. To protect against unnecessary disclosure of video, incidents should not be documented by the carrier as requiring coaching if, on review, the driver made no mistake.

Research also showed that most insurers did not offer DFC-related premium discounts (79%) or hardware installation discounts (75%).


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    • Good one. Further, you made a very good point to make in the recruiting ad. This is all going a little too far.

  • Gee I wonder why it would be so unpopular? Someone monitoring your entire shift behind the wheel, potentially visually and audibly. Control hungry bottom line.

  • They are ALL constantly recording… Just cause it doesn’t send it till it’s flagged and sent, doesn’t mean it’s not recording… If it can go back 8-11 seconds before the incident (Lytx) then it is ALWAYS recording.

  • If a driver facing cameras are needed as a important tool in a truck then it is a very important tool to the driver to have cameras in the office to watch all corners as well. Many of times drivers can not get an answer from a dispatcher or from human resources, or for what ever reason. Also it is on the same playing grounds as for the driver ” if the office must see drivers, then the drivers need same rights and see the office in all corners, the desks, the lunch room, the washroom, the boardroom this be the same as in a truck. It be the office the control center, the lunchroom, livingroom, bedroom, changeroom. And this camera systems need to be placed in every vehicle and every commercial building that has activities. If you cannot till what a driver is doing from a regular out facing camera then you and that driver need to move to some other job. It’s time to remove drivers that are unfortunately not qualified to drive and it shows on the outside faster then a inside camera. They are infringement of our privacy

  • I’ve drove a 26′ box truck for going on 28 years for the same company. I make residential deliveries. We are in city and rural . My company has installed cameras around outside and inside cab. I understand outside cameras to a point, however, inside adds more stress and a feeling of an invasion of my privacy. I’ve NEVER had an accident and don’t understand after 28 years the need to watch me inside the truck. I’m really struggling with this, because it’s already stressfull driving in the situations we are faced with daily in traffic and I find myself uncomfortable and nervous more than ever. My question is, how can this be safer , having the driver trying to focus on his/her job while being stressed out. We also are assigned points for any mistakes the computer assigns as a violation. I’m turning 59 this year, and have too much time vested in this company. I’m trying to tolerate and just make it to 62. However, I’m also considering other options with less intrusive and stressfull conditions.

  • This is pushing it a little too far. I am sitting unemployed because I won’t drive a truck that some weirdo is sitting there watching me 24/7 it’s an invasion of our privacy 100% & your not ever going too justify it too me…!! We are hired as professionals out here & we never had DFC’s before & I’m “NOT” going too allow myself too be video taped while I’m doing my job it’s totally rediculas if you ask me. I am a veteran driver of 32yrs behind the wheel but it looks like I will be changing professions unfortunately because this is all I know how too do & I’ve dedicated my whole life too the trucking industry & now I’m sleeping in my car & homeless because I disagree with a lotta things this “NEW GENERATION” of steering wheel holders are allowing too happen too us…!! I always thought that this was America land of the free & boy have I been wrong…!! Having this Mandated & that Mandated & it really put all of us “OLD SCHOOL TRUCKERS” in a whole different world & speaking for myself I don’t like it or appreciate it one bit…!! Back in the day you had too be a professional too drive a truck now a days you guys got them driving theirselves hope all you law makers & politicians are pleased with what you have turned this industry into because it makes me sick…!!