Dual-facing in-cab cameras offer a host of safety benefits for trucking fleets. However, truck drivers often are worried about their privacy when trucking fleets use driver-facing dash cams. 

Motor carriers should address these privacy concerns to increase the potential for maximizing the return on investment in in-cab video systems.

Below are four strategies to reduce truck driver objections to road- and driver-facing dash cams.

1. Use Facts and Testimonials About In-Cab Cameras

Start by presenting your drivers with facts and other driver testimonials (if available).

Share that the passenger car driver is at fault in at least 70% of fatal truck-passenger-vehicle-involved crashes. This fact can help your drivers see how they may be found not at fault based on video footage that proves they were in the right during such a collision. 

Compelling data comes from the April 2023 American Transportation Research Institute’s (ATRI) Issues and Opportunities with Driver-Facing Camerasstudy, which found:

• DFC footage helps exonerate commercial truck drivers in 49% of litigation cases and 52% of insurance claims where video footage was available.

• Approval of driver-facing cameras was 87% higher when carriers used in-cab video footage for safety programs, driver coaching, and training than when there was no proactive safety use.

The widespread use of dash cams in private fleets is also a positive indicator. 

The National Private Truck Council's 2022 Benchmarking Survey confirmed that 72% of NPTC’s member fleets have adopted dash cam systems. Of those, 56% use dual road- and driver-facing cameras. Only 28% use road-facing cameras alone.

2. Implement Protections for Biometric Data

Drivers may also have concerns regarding their personal data being used or misused.

Biometric data such as facial geometry, fingerprints, digital voiceprints, and iris scans are often used to access in-cab technology securely. Many artificial intelligence-powered dash cams also use and store facial geometry data to detect unsafe driving behaviors. 

Several states have privacy laws requiring consent before collecting or storing biometric data.

Keep in mind that as a carrier, you may be the target of litigation that has nothing to do with a crash if you don’t get driver approval for the dash cam and meet other requirements.

Critical state legal requirements to protect privacy include:

• Informing the person of the purposes and retention period of biometric information.

• Receiving written consent to collect or disclose biometric information.

• Implementing reasonable security procedures and practices.

• Maintaining a written policy with a retention schedule and guidelines for permanently destroying biometric identifiers and information.

These steps help reassure drivers that plans are in place to protect their personal and biometric data.

3. Update Your Dash Cam Policy

Your trucking fleet’s dash cam policy should contain critical system-use details to avoid surprises for drivers. 

Another essential purpose is to provide privacy assurances.

Things to consider when creating or updating a fleet policy on the use of in-cab video:

• Obtaining written driver consent before collecting, storing, or using video clips or biometric data.

• Including how and when drivers will be recognized and rewarded for safe driving habits.

• Identifying and prioritizing the focus behaviors (such as distracted or drowsy driving and seat belt use).

• Avoiding excessive coaching for minor incidents.

• Recording video clips for a set amount of time before and after a triggered event for coaching or legal defense and avoiding continuous recording.

• Limiting video access to safety personnel only and securing it from unauthorized access.

• Providing initial and ongoing training to driver coaches on their approach to drivers and privacy.

• Refraining from monitoring drivers in real time except in an emergency.

• Prohibiting audio recordings to avoid legal issues in dual-party consent states.

4. Use Dash Cams to Enhance Bonus and Recognition Programs

Drivers care about improving their behavior and skills. The most effective incentives are often money in a driver's paycheck and recognition for desired behavior changes. 

Make sure drivers can easily understand safety incentive and recognition program criteria and that they see the program criteria as fair.

Focusing on these four key steps can help carriers proactively address driver privacy concerns, which helps to maximize dash cam ROI and avoid legal issues with biometric data, if applicable. 

With the right approach, your drivers should believe in your dash cam system as much as you do. 

About the Author: Lucero Truszkowski joined safety and compliance consulting firm J.J. Keller & Associates as an associate editor in 2022. Her expertise includes process documentation, plain-English writing, and translating complex concepts for customers across a spectrum of subjects, including transportation, human resources, and driver training.This article was authored and edited according to Heavy Duty Trucking’s editorial standards and style to provide useful information to our readers. Opinions expressed may not reflect those of HDT.