CINCINNATI -- SmartDrive Systems' video-based safety system can now support additional cameras, giving 360-degree coverage of the vehicle. The announcement was made at the National Private Truck Council Annual Conference and Exhibition taking place in Cincinnati, Ohio, April 30- May 2.

It expands on the SmartDrive 360 platform’s on-demand video capability, with triggering on up to four cameras simultaneously, based on high-risk maneuvers, to provide better insight into the causes of collisions.

“Since 35% of collisions are side and rear incidents, a growing number of fleets are adding more cameras to their trucks,” said Steve Mitgang, CEO of SmartDrive. “By capturing triggered video across these additional cameras, fleets can now gain immediate visibility to the highest risk — and most costly events — in and around their vehicles."

With SmartDrive 360’s multi-camera triggering, a more complete picture of high-risk events is provided to SmartDrive customers. When a vehicle with SmartDrive 360 experiences a risky maneuver, such as swerve, U-turn, high impact/collision, or the driver initiates a manual recording, video is captured from all four cameras. The video is then automatically offloaded from the SmartRecorder, along with the in-cab and forward-facing camera views.

Video can be offloaded in minutes and reviewed by a driving analyst within an hour in most cases, according to SmartDrive. Confirmed collisions and alerts are sent to customers so they can react to the accident quickly. The immediate access to video is aimed at allowing fleets to improve safety programs, reduce claims processes, and increase safety measures.

The video was previously available only on-demand but it is now available in a shorter amount of time to allow fleets to understand and process an event more quickly.

"Not only have our drivers fully embraced the SmartDrive video-based safety program, but they also recognize that additional cameras equal more protection for them in collisions or other incidents where they are not at fault," said Michael Lasko, safety manager, T.F. Boyle Transportation. "Additional video from different areas around the vehicle gives us a deeper understanding of what happens on the road and which drivers need coaching to improve safety."