Have you ever wondered how much safer your fleet could be with an extra set of eyes on the road?
For Canadian fleet managers, dash cams are becoming an indispensable tool in promoting driver safety and accountability. Beyond just recording footage, these devices help reduce accident risks, provide crucial evidence, and offer insights into driver behavior.
In a country where varying weather and long distances present unique challenges, dash cams provide added security and peace of mind.
In this blog, we'll explore five compelling reasons why dash cams are essential for ensuring the safety and efficiency of your fleet.
Unbiased Incident Recording
However, despite all preventative measures, accidents are likely to occur. Notably, statistics from Transport Canada indicate that in 2022, motor vehicle accidents alone were over 1931. When such incidents involve your fleet, it is common to experience challenges in ascertaining fault and liability. This is where dedicated commercial dash cams stand out. They simply tell the ‘whole story' by recording the events unfolding.
Consider a scenario where a driver from your company is driving down the Trans-Canada highway in the middle of a snowstorm and, unfortunately, gets involved in an accident for which the other party is largely to blame. In such scenarios, the absence of video evidence can lead to a ‘he said' – ‘she said' matter, leading to higher premiums on insurance or even court proceedings.
In such a case, the dash camera will answer this uncertainty as it provides video footage to back up the claims made by your driver and help speed up the claim settlement process.
Proactive Driver Coaching & Development
Dash cameras are designed to anticipate certain situations, with a primary emphasis on the driver. They can also be used for driver training and development. Extensive video footage from the installed cameras onboard makes it possible for transit company executives to be aware of all the merits and demerits of the drivers, particularly given the rather hostile Canadian driving environment in which they operate.
Take, for example, a scenario where the driver tends to compromise the required safe distance between his car and the one ahead during the snow. Such a driver can be described as one who usually ignores rules. In such cases, proper and improper driving images are used to encourage good driving and discourage poor driving habits.
Lower Insurance Premiums & Operational Costs
Purchasing dash cams for your fleet can be an expensive investment, but they can eventually save you a lot of costs. In Canada, most insurance companies will offer rebates or reduced prices to fleets that keep dash cam technology. The footage from these cameras reduces the dangers involved and helps speed up the claims process.
There are situations where a dash cam can prove useful:
- Lower liability costs: Establish who is at fault in an accident and prevent expensive legal battles, which can be very expensive in Canada's courts.
- Reduce claims processing time: Once there is video footage, a claim can be processed faster, so the client does not have to stay idle for longer due to the loss.
- Minimize fraudulent claims: Prevent false slip-and-fall situations and injury claims that are worse than the actual accident, which makes insurance rates higher in Canada.
Considering that gas prices in Canada are roughly $1.70 per liter, it goes without saying that even minor enhancements in fuel efficiency will translate to major cost benefits for fleets.
Improved Prevention & Protection of Vehicle
Purchasing commercial dash cams with additional features such as parking mode and getting these vehicles GPS enabled enhances the security of one's assets. This is especially important within urban regions such as Toronto or Vancouver, where the vehicle theft rates are very high.
Dash cams are also handy in discouraging vehicle thefts and robberies. The simple installation of such a camera is enough to make criminals hesitate about attempting to steal your vehicle. Furthermore, if there are thievery incidents involving the vehicle, any recorded activities can also help track back the troublemakers and recover the losses incurred.
According to Statistics Canada, more than eighty thousand auto thefts were recorded in the country in 2021. Having dash cams with such security features enables you to safeguard the fleet from these rampant risks.
Enhanced Customer Care & Brand Enhancement
The Canadian business environment has become very competitive, so relying on a good image alone can be a recipe for failure. Interestingly, dashcams can enhance the brand image by providing better customer service and dispute resolution.
For example, suppose a Montreal customer complains that the delivery is delayed because of traffic or an accident. In that case, the dashcam footage can be reviewed to confirm the complaint and check for any issues from your end. This allows you to resolve such problems quickly and fairly and show that you value your customers' satisfaction.
By using dash cams in the business, you can show your clients that you care about their safety, and this will reap benefits in return by making them see more value in you and your brand.
Conclusion
In Canada, dash cams have matured from basic cameras used for recording to crucial components of fleet safety. They encompass everything required to shield your drivers, your property, and even your whole company from the dangers of driving in Canada. When you picture dash cam technology, it is not just a camera you purchase. It transforms your fleet into safer, better, and economically efficient vehicle management.
