Australia’s highways are among the most dangerous in the world. With driver fatigue accounting for approximately 14 percent of collisions, kangaroos jumping out at dusk, and other surprising road hazards, truck drivers need to remain alert behind the wheel. Dash cams are essential to help drivers avoid dangers on the road and improve driver safety. Here are five dash cam benefits, especially when driving on Australian roads.
1. Minimise Fatigue-Related Accidents
Among the biggest risk for Aussie drivers is fatigue. Distances along country roads and highways can be huge. Drivers who are not used to travelling such long journeys could experience fatigue—possibly nodding off at the wheel. Concentration lapses while driving can be unexpected and deadly. Just a couple of seconds of distraction is enough to cause a fatal collision.
Fleet drivers need to monitor their behaviour and take breaks every few hours to evaluate if they are still alert enough to continue driving.
‘You need to look at your own driving behaviour. You might have a newborn baby that’s kept you up, or you’re not feeling well and you’re trying to drive to Mount Barker, 50 kilometres away, and fatigue hits’, says Great Southern Police traffic officer in charge, Sergeant Derek Grimes.
Furthermore, integrating an electronic work diary (EWD) into your fleet management allows you to track how long a driver has driven, helping to manage fatigue caused by over-working while staying safety compliant. EWDs also help fleet managers and drivers monitor driving schedules by recording a driver’s work and rest times to further minimise the risks of fatigue.
2. Deter Thieves
Thieves are getting more sophisticated in their attempts to rob vehicles. The best way to protect your assets is to invest in the right tech. Dash cams can help deter thieves, who will hesitate to break into a vehicle that’s outfitted with a camera. They also help fleet managers stop the theft in action by providing real-time data that can help authorities locate the vehicle.
3. Prevent False Claims
Truck accidents and speeding fines can lead to hefty financial penalties. The average cost of a single claim in Australia is now around $5,000. This makes it crucial that drivers and fleet businesses are able to dispute false claims supported by dash cam video footage. Having dash cam data also means claims can be processed faster. Without this evidence, settling a claim could take a few years.
Considering vehicle crashes are the largest contributors to work-related injuries and fatalities in Australia, fleet companies are exposed to liability. By using a fully integrative fleet management solution, fleets companies can provide the necessary proof to protect their drivers, finances, and reputation.
4. Better Driver Coaching
Dash cam footage can be used in training sessions. While this can be especially helpful for younger drivers with less experience and driving skills, many fleets now use dash cam footage for better coaching and development of all drivers in the company.
A major cause of fatal roads deaths is speed. Dash cams are being used to train drivers to respect the rules of the road, including how fast they drive. Fleet managers can also provide feedback and take disciplinary action if necessary, so drivers can improve and learn from their performance.
5. Dodge the Kangaroo Population
Here’s a problem that’s unique to Aussie drivers. Australia has an estimated population of over 34.5 million kangaroos, giving it the highest population of kangaroos of any country in the world. The sheer number of these large animals crossing our roads means that they’re often difficult to avoid.
Even if a ‘roo’ doesn’t directly hop onto your path, another driver could hit it. An installed dash cam provides the necessary footage to prove you didn’t cause an accident if another driver hits a kangaroo and the blame falls on you.
How Fleet Complete Can Help
When it comes to protecting your fleet and your drivers, dash cams play an essential role in improving driver safety and protecting your fleet and assets.
Fleet Complete is a leading provider of fleet and asset management solutions, including dual-facing dash cams, online driver coaching, and access to important resources and information.
If you have any questions about Fleet Complete’s fleet management solutions or how our dual-facing dash cam can support your drivers, contact us to learn more.
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