Research Shows Why Truck Drivers Aren’t Thrilled With Driver-Facing Cameras

A report by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) shows that out of 650 users surveyed, the approval rate of driver-facing and road-facing cameras among truck drivers remains low. When asked their opinion of driver-facing cameras, truckers gave the technology a 2.4 rating on a 10-point scale. Why such a low acceptance rate??

According to the ATRI report, the lack of privacy is the primary reason for the low acceptance rate of driver-facing cameras. When surveyed, women truckers rated driver-facing cameras 24% lower than did male drivers, citing that not only did camera use fail to protect their privacy, but in some cases, it invited “voyeurism, unwanted comments about their appearance, and even sexual harassment from employees tasked with reviewing DFC footage,” according to the report.?

Another key concern regarding driver-facing cameras is that with enough footage, it is presumed that plaintiff attorneys would have more material to nitpick minor behaviors or actions, magnifying truck driver negligence and affecting court outcomes.?

Other issues include:

• Drivers having limited experience in using the devices.
• Confusion as to how video footage will be used.?
• A lack of clarity regarding carrier policies.

Road-facing cameras are preferred over driver-facing cameras

The surveyed drivers currently using road-facing cameras gave them a higher approval and acceptance rate than driver-facing cameras, with a rating of 8.19 on a 10-point scale — 266% higher — according to the ATRI study. Truckers who prefer road-facing cameras stated that their preference is because driver-facing cameras give them the feeling of being watched 100% of the time — a perception that the ATRI says isn’t the case.?

Despite the resistance to driver-facing cameras, legal and insurance experts remain proponents of the technology, citing that in 52% of insurance claims and 49% of litigation cases, camera footage aids in the exoneration of drivers, and leads to settlements in 86% of cases (rather than claims heading straight to a court trial).?

Improving acceptance of in-cab cameras

When truck drivers were asked about how to improve driver-facing camera acceptance, they offered the following suggestions:?

• Camera footage should only be viewed after an accident.?
• Cameras should be turned off when drivers are off duty, on a break or parked or when fueling.
• Drivers should have full control over the use of the device.?
• Less emphasis should be put on trying to find the driver’s faults.?
• Cameras should only be activated in significant safety events.
• Additional compensation should be awarded for properly using the devices.?
• Drivers should be able to view the footage.
• Camera footage should not be used to enforce punitive actions.?
• Cameras should only be used with new drivers or drivers who have safety infractions.?
• Policies and procedures surrounding the usage of driver-facing cameras should be more transparent.?

About MCIEF

The Motor Carrier Insurance Education Foundation (MCIEF) was formed in 2012 as a nonprofit foundation. Its purpose is to educate insurance professionals serving the transportation industry through a vast offering of learning opportunities, including an exclusive designation program. MCIEF also hosts in-person meetings to provide networking opportunities and share the latest trends and news in this unique space. For more information on MCIEF, please visit MCIEF.org.?