Worker safety is a top-of-mind concern for just about all construction professionals. From implementing codified safety rules onsite to encouraging safe driving when on the road, there is no shortage of daily considerations for construction business owners as they seek to limit the chance of accidents.
With so many things to be cognizant of in the construction industry, fleet vehicle safety is a worry business owners don’t need. However, new advances in fleet management software, specifically the integration of smart video monitoring, are helping improve fleet driving safety and provide peace of mind when it comes to construction fleet drivers on the road.
Combating misperceptions about commercial vehicle driving safety in the construction industry
There is a common misperception among average American drivers that commercial vehicle drivers are more dangerous on the road. According to a recent Verizon Connect study, 83% of respondents believe they are safer drivers than most drivers of commercial vehicles. However, the reality is that only 3% of all severe crashes in the United States involve commercial trucks.
The study also reveals 81% of respondents said they have witnessed a commercial vehicle being driven dangerously on the road, with more than half (54%) of those also saying they have also witnessed an accident involving a commercial vehicle. More than two in three (69%) people who report witnessing a commercial vehicle driving dangerously say they have seen a commercial vehicle speeding on the highway. Other dangerous maneuvers that have reportedly been observed include abrupt lane changes (55%), driving erratically (46%), running or nearly running off the road (38%) and taking turns or corners too quickly (37%).
While consumer perceptions around the level of danger posed by commercial drivers may not be fully accurate, these misperceptions persist. For construction business owners, many of whom have busy fleets of drivers and vehicles, being equipped to protect themselves in the face of such misperceptions and encouraging the highest standards of safety on the road are critical.
Improving fleet safety with smart video monitoring
According to the study, people believe the most effective way to reduce the number of accidents involving commercial vehicles is to monitor drivers when they are on the road. Forty-two percent believe installing a dashboard camera is the number one way to reduce the number of accidents involving commercial vehicles. Seventy-four percent of respondents agreed that commercial vehicle drivers shouldn’t even be allowed on the road without some sort of video monitoring of their driving habits.
Equipped with the latest artificial intelligence (AI) technology, advanced smart video monitoring is helping construction fleet drivers stay safer on the road and protect themselves in the event of any incident. In turn, this is helping construction business owners and fleet managers to not only improve road safety and shift public perceptions of commercial vehicle driving safety, but also drive improved efficiencies and business performance.
Powered by AI, smart video solutions can automatically analyze video data to assess and classify driving incidents and provide automated alerts with detailed reports, providing a host of benefits, including hazard detection and accident prediction and prevention. Smart analysis of video data that provides details of exact speed, timing, position and location of accidents helps to prevent similar accidents from happening in the future.
Smart video monitoring can also help to identify ways to coach and improve driver habits and help prevent drivers from being wrongly held liable when not at fault to help drive improved safety and cut costs. For example, reducing harsh driving incidents will help reduce impact on vehicle wear and tear, and the ability to prove fault in the event of an incident can ultimately result in reduced insurance premiums.
Construction companies and contractors that take the step to implement smart video monitoring can look forward to cutting costs while promoting greater safety throughout their fleets. It is important to debunk unfounded myths around commercial vehicle driving safety and focus on improving safety in the construction industry, whether on the worksite or on the road.
