Transport firms turn to cameras for protection

14th May 2014

Transport firms are fitting forward-facing cameras in their lorries in growing numbers, largely to protect themselves from fraudulent accident insurance claims.

“The recordings can show what happened in an accident and put an end, quickly and simply, to potentially crippling insurance claims,” the Road Haulage Association’s director of policy Jack Semple said.  “In addition, many firms with cameras say they are useful tools for managing employees’ driving style.”

Some 54% of the RHA members polled on this issue – from owner-drivers to firms with thousands of HGVs – said they have now fitted cameras, while a further 35% appear to be close to doing so.

While the main interest is in forward-facing cameras, the survey found that all-round cameras are coming strongly into consideration.  Only 7% of hauliers said they fitted them at present, but 35% said they were looking at it.

“The professional haulage industry appears to have reached a tipping point and the fitting of cameras will soon be the norm, rather than exceptional,” Jack Semple predicted.  “The widespread adoption of cameras may also be an interesting trend for those involved more widely in occupational road risk, managing vans and cars.”