Different Types of In-Cab Video Recorders: What They Do and Don’t Do
May 10, 2017
Types & Capabilities of In-Cab Recorders
In-cab video recorders are commonly used by commercial carriers to monitor drivers and the driving conditions when a “triggering” event occurs. Intended to promote safety, these in-cab camera systems can be important sources of evidence when truck accidents happen. The footage they record and save can help prove the cause(s) of a truck wreck, establishing liability for that wreck.
If you have been harmed in a truck crash, getting answers about your potential claim and recovery options can be critical to your overall recovery. You can get those answers from an experienced Houston truck accident attorney at the Amaro Law Firm. Tenacious and tireless, our lawyers are focused on advocating victims’ rights to compensation and bringing their claims to the best possible resolution.
Contact us to set up a free consultation. Taking this one step can make a big difference in the success of your potential claim and your future.
How In-Cab Camera Systems Work
Not all in-cab camera systems are the same. Most generally work in the same way, recording continuously and only saving a recording when a specific triggering event occurs. Examples of these triggering events include (and are not limited to):
- Speeding
- Sudden or harsh braking
- Hitting an object or pothole
- Failing to stop at a stop sign.
The recording saved will typically include footage from around 8 to 10 seconds before the event, ending up to 8 seconds after the event. A complete recording will then be electronically transmitted to a specialist or monitor (employed by the camera provider/vendor) for review.
If the recording shows some risky driver behavior(s), it’s then sent on to the trucking company.
What Forward-Facing In-Cab Video Cameras Can Record
Forward-facing in-cab video recorders are commonly mounted by interior rear-view mirrors, with lenses pointing out towards the road. When a triggering event occurs, these recorders can capture footage like (but exclusive to):
- Other vehicles in the front of the truck (More complex systems can also capture footage of what’s happening alongside of a truck.)
- Road conditions
- Weather conditions.
Some in-cab video systems may even:
- Record continuously, allowing a carrier to view live video feed at any given point. These systems usually save recorded footage for a specific amount of time (such as 40 hours, for example).
- Work with other safety systems, such as lane departure systems. For these cameras, an alert from another safety system could be a triggering event to record footage.
What Driver-Facing In-Cab Video Cameras Can Record
Driver-facing in-cab video cameras capture footage of truck drivers and their actions when a triggering event occurs. Some of the driver-related factors that these cameras can capture can include:
- Driver distraction, such as talking or texting on cellphones, eating, or failing to look at the road for any other reason
- Driver impairment, which may be demonstrated by bloodshot eyes, head position, or even footage of alcohol or drug use
- Driver fatigue, which can be evidenced by head bobbing, partially opened eyes, or even falling asleep at the wheel
- Failure to comply with traffic laws, such as failing to wear seatbelts.
It’s important to point out that there’s a lot of resistance to driver-facing in-cab cameras within the trucking industry. Some truck drivers see these cameras as an invasion of privacy and personal space (because a truck’s cab can be living and sleeping quarters for drivers). Others see these cameras as a sign of distrust from their employer.
This has made driver-facing cameras less popular and less widely used than forward-facing in-cab cameras.
Limitations of In-Cab Cameras: What They Can’t Do
In-cab video cameras do have limitations, including (but not limited to) the inability to:
- Record footage of the trailer, shifting cargo, and what’s occurring behind the truck
- Store captured footage for extended periods of time
- Prevent the system from being hacked.
As technology evolves, these limitations may be overcome.
The lawyers at the Amaro Law Firm are experienced at reviewing in-cab camera footage (and other evidence) to determine liability for truck crashes.
Were You Hurt in a Truck Wreck? Contact a Houston Truck Accident Attorney at the Amaro Law Firm
If you or a loved one was involved in a truck crash, contact a Houston truck accident attorney at the Amaro Law Firm to find out more about your potential claim and recovery options.
Call (713) 352-7975 or email us to schedule a free consultation.
At the Amaro Law Firm, our attorneys don’t just promise results for trucking accident victims. We work relentlessly to make sure that our clients get the full compensation they are entitled to so they can cover medical bills, lost income, vehicle repairs, and other expenses related to their injuries.
Our record of success and exceptional representation has earned us 5-star ratings on Google and Facebook.