Connected safety with CameraMatics
Connected vehicle camera systems provider CameraMatics has outlined how its technology can be employed to protect drivers, businesses and other road users.
“Managing a fleet of vehicles is not simply about transporting goods from A to B or efficient route planning,” said Mervyn O’Callaghan, CEO of CameraMatics
“Today’s fleet manager is responsible for managing risk, maximising safety, protecting drivers, and ensuring compliance. Safety is, and should be, a priority. Fleet operators have all this to juggle whilst running on lean margins and needing to create efficiencies and protect the bottom line.
“Each of the above areas of responsibility is complex in itself; they are distinct but interconnected. To succeed, fleet operators need full visibility, control of vehicles and drivers, and meaningful data.
Highlighting the dangers posed by high levels of distracted driving, multi-tasking at the wheel and mobile phone use, Mervyn contends that the need to mitigate risk has never been greater.
“All the evidence shows that a close call behind the wheel does not always change driving behaviour, so driving management is an ongoing task – there is no one-off fix,” he continued.
“Accidents and incidents not only impact business but can – and do – destroy lives.”
Adding CameraMatics technology including connected cameras to a vehicle not only helps exonerate drivers from false claims, but also aids driving, says Mervyn.
“Commercial Vehicles such as HGVs and LCVs are notorious for blind spots – something other road users can be unaware of. Increasing visibility for drivers has a significant impact on road safety,” he said.
“There’s a reason the Direct Vision Standard has made a blind spot camera and left turn alert mandatory for HGVs – the reason is safety. I expect similar standards to be rolled out across the UK and Ireland.
“Adding connected cameras, and a monitor, sensors and alerts to a truck or van gives the driver an extra set of eyes and ears, making collisions less likely. While most drivers have excellent driving standards, the reality is these can slip when the pressure is on, days are long and busy and frustration hits.
“Additionally, drivers cannot control the behaviour of other road users, but for instance, alerting cyclists to the vehicle turning left is a simple but life-saving change.”
It is also about the long term and changing habits, he adds.
“Connected cameras, sensors, alerts and collision avoidance alert technologies such as ADAS and DMS lead to changes in driver behaviour. Over time drivers take fewer risks, leading to fewer collisions and ultimately safer roads and fewer deaths.
“At CameraMatics we’re committed to driving new safety standards across fleets, globally. Our technology has been continually developed and enhanced over the last five years with safety in mind.
“CameraMatics offers much more than cameras; we provide complete Fleet Risk Management solutions. Every development is built around safety and the needs of our customers – and tested by them.”
Mervyn highlights features the company has incorporated in its offering, including accident reporting and first notification of loss (FNOL), paperless vehicle check management, and fuel purchase logs. A recent addition is driver scorecard technology which gives managers an overview of driver performance and behaviour, highlighting the biggest risks and assets and enabling targeted training.
“You need visibility: to see each vehicle’s location and status in real-time,” he said.
“You want instant notification and logs of driving events such as harsh braking, harsh steering, swerving, and of distracted driving.
“You need control: over your fleet, wherever you are – from desktop or mobile – whether that’s verified vehicle checking procedures, improving driving to reduce collisions or instant live-camera feeds.”
The information provided is also crucial in identifying risks and assets, and informing training with historic video, says Mervyn, while the system also provides the evidence necessary to protect against false claims and scams, and to demonstrate a safety culture, maintenance and duty-of-care.
“In a collision, you need to ensure drivers collect key information, and have incontrovertible evidence of what happened before and during the incident.”
He added: “The powerful CameraMatics Suite, comprising a dashboard and Fleet Safety Centre, gives all the information you need, in as little as three clicks – from desktop or mobile. You get complete visibility and the tools to manage every aspect of fleet safety, in one easy-to-use platform.”
Prospective customers can book a demo via the website.
