Owning a fleet of vehicles isn’t the easiest job. There’s always the question of maintenance and even greater than that is the issue of security.
It is impossible for you to manually keep track of every single vehicle you own, at all times. CCTV cameras work but only when the vehicles are in the garage.
This is where video telematics and dash cams come in to help you.
What is Video Telematics?
Video telematics is a growing technology which uses cameras and analytics for automobile fleet tracking.
It is especially used by companies that wish to have better control over their fleet, gather collision evidence and for driver risk management.
What is a telematics camera
A telematics camera is the recording device placed in or around your car to track it and gather information on its location, situation and provide data in case of an accident.
Cameras can be placed inside the car like dashcams which provide video monitoring of the car as well as live driver monitoring. CCTV cameras are also an option to consider while looking for a telematics camera.
How video telematics works
Video telematics is not just about video footage that is recorded by the camera in your car.
The device also collects driving data like the speed, condition of vehicle, etc. to provide well-rounded information which you can use to analyse any situation better.
The devices provide real-time video footage which is transferred over a cellular network and they are connected to drive storage spaces where driving data is uploaded and can be retrieved on demand.
You can also set up alert systems to alert you if a driver creates unsafe driving conditions like aggressive acceleration or extreme speeds.
There are mainly four types of camera options which are used to monitor vehicles –
- CCTV cameras
- Only road-facing cameras
- Road and driver-facing cameras
- Front, rear and driver-facing cameras
Who should use video telematics
Video telematics is especially useful if you are the owner of a company with a large fleet of cars. The video monitoring and data can help you keep a close watch on the safety of your vehicles and drivers.
However, dashcams can come in handy in any car. It can help you keep track of a young adult who has recently learnt how to drive. Or, you can keep it as a safety tool which can alert you in-case of unsafe driving practices.
Benefits of video telematics
In case of collisions
If in case a vehicle is involved in a crash, a video telematics device will ensure that you have immediate access to the first questions that come to mind – who, what, why, when and where. You will have access to the speed of the vehicle and the footage of the driver as well.
At such times, the video cameras will ensure that you receive timely notification about the incident (also called FNOL or First Notification of Loss).
Video monitoring
As a fleet owner, it can be difficult to track the behaviour and driving practices of your employees.
Distracted driver monitoring is something you can take care of using video telematics. Through the data from the video devices, you will be able to identify and modify risky behaviour.
After video monitoring and identifying key issues, you can enforce the needed measures for safer driving for the benefit of both your employees and your automobiles.
Proof for claims and insurance
Since video telematics gives the ability to access all information of the vehicle almost instantly.
In situations as simple as a car crashing into a roadside mailbox or one as complex as a car crash, you will be able to provide the insurance with proof.
Another benefit is that you as well as your insurers will know when to fight and when to back off. The proof may help you exonerate your company or driver from false claims.
Real-time alerts
Newer options in video telematics technology gives you the option to receive warnings which are triggered whenever you cross your set limits.
This means that you can set alerts for speeding, aggressive acceleration and more. This tool is incredibly useful to inculcate better driving habits in drivers.
DashCams vs CCTV
DashCams are exactly what they sound like – cameras placed on the car’s dashboard to keep track of the happenings inside the car.
Here is the reason why you should invest in Dashcamera!
They watch driver habits and actions as well as monitor the statistics of the car and send this data to a cloud storage drive.
CCTV (closed-circuit television) cameras are video cameras placed to monitor a particular place. They are widely used both in commercial and private places to keep a watch on what is going on at a particular location.
Why DashCams are better than CCTV
Though CCTV cameras have been more commonly used to look over fleets of automobiles, DashCams do have some advantages over these traditional devices.
Here are a few –
- DashCams are placed inside the car, so you can have a proper recording of the events going on inside the car. This includes the behaviour and reaction of the driver. Having this information can alert you to issues that a driver may be facing or causing.
You will also have a better idea about the condition of the inside of your vehicle through the DashCam.
CCTV cameras, on the other hand, are mostly placed outside the vehicle on a wall or pole. While this offers a better idea of who is around your vehicle, it won’t show you what’s going on inside.
- Another advantage that DashCams offer over CCTV is the range of information they can provide. It’s not just a video recording but also other metrics like speed, acceleration, gas, and more. This information can be analysed to draw more well-rounded conclusions. CCTV can only provide video footage.
- You can also wire your DashCams to alert the driver to negative driving habits. This makes the roads safer and keeps your drivers and automobiles safer too.
Conclusion
Video telematics is an up and coming technology which can be very beneficial in tracking data pertaining to automobiles. It can be especially helpful for someone who has a fleet of vehicles to manage.
Combining data and video footage gives you insights on how to improve driving habits and keep your automobiles and drivers safe and happy.