The independent vehicle fleet solutions company has teamed up with vehicle CCTV and safety systems specialist SmartWitness and fitting specialist eDrive to provide in-vehicle video recording cameras – so-called “dash cams” – to its fleet clients at a special rate. Cameras can be fitted to vehicles and then transferred to new vehicles on defleet.

The technology is said to have the ability to significantly modify driver behaviour with spin-off benefits also including improved road safety, reduced fuel economy, and vehicle wear and tear and maintenance cost improvements due to a reduction in harsh acceleration and braking. 

Additionally, in the event of a road crash or other incident, the windscreen-mounted camera that records a driver’s view of the road ahead can provide court admissible evidence and protection against fraudulent claims, including whiplash, “cash for crash” incidents and false accusations of driving offences. 

Evidence filmed by the camera on a 44-hour video loop could also prove helpful to businesses and drivers in the event of a dispute with a customer perhaps over a vehicle delivery or appointment. 

The technology can also work in tandem with telematics and vehicle tracking solutions sourced via Days Contract Hire’s partnership with Quartix so that a real time notification of an incident/accident can be sent instantly to a driver’s employer. 

Adam Wild, strategic partner manager at SmartWitness, said: ‘Historically, vehicle CCTV cameras were only fitted by a handful of companies to HGVs. But the corporate focus on occupational road risk management, the growth in fraudulent insurance claims and insurance companies concerned at the changing profile of claims means demand for the technology is increasing across public and private sector fleets. 

‘No other on-board recording system delivers benefits that include lower insurance costs, enhanced safety, driver appraisals and cloud upload to insurance brokers and insurance companies allowing fast resolution of claims. 

‘Within two hours of an incident, a fleet manager can submit a report to their insurer that shows exact location, vehicle speed, deceleration, road conditions, as well as video footage of what really happened.’