DASH CAM.....PARANOIA?

[Orren Zook]

Several of the truck fleets around here use a camera system that records the video front view, left side, right side, rear and interior of the cab, plus speed and a multitude of driver reactions - such as brake application, rpm, etc. in real time. Conversations with principles indicate that recording devices are necessary for protection in liability cases - peace of mind and to help keep insurance cost down.

[rahangman]

Several years ago, after the Ricky Gates incidence (Railroad locomotive sideswiping a Passenger train) the FRA mandated "Black Box" recorders in all locomotives. They have evolved into systems not too different than the Airlines Black Box. Along with all kinds of recording of engine/operator techniques and performance, I should think they could also incorporate a video readout also. Now most Railroad Locomotives purchased have a video recorder system as part of their standard equipment, and the RR's are all installing after market units as after market devices. Good idea, best if able to incorporate into existing equipment if affordable or available.

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Ordered today.

http://www.amazon.com/Dash-Dual-Came...9598885&sr=1-2

This one was a little pricey, but it has the GPS feature so my speeds and locations are recorded. I hope I never have to prove its value.

[Will Garner]

As previously posted, I have a pet peeve about Highway - Rail Grade Crossing crashes. Some time ago AMTRAK apparently has equipped their locomotives with video cameras as well. One crash in SC the train based video showed a Cadillac with several baggy britches type in it passing a stopped vehicle at the crossing, the gates down and finally the right front passenger about to take a hit on their chin. I think the body count was four in the Cadillac and zero on the train. Remember, at all Highway - Rail Grade Crossings, if it is a tie YOU lose!

One here in NC this year showed a Mother, on her cell phone, driving around the down gates and being hit on the passenger side rear door of her SUV. Her child in the rear seat was killed instantly. The local buzz was the gates weren't working, the train company had been called multiple times and had not responded to the calls. This went on for about three days, until the video was obtained and broadcast by local media outlets. Suddenly the business community in Mebane had nothing to say anymore.

Some people will never get the message they are not a multi-tasking computer, that they are in a dynamic and changing environment where 100% concentration is required for the safety of persons in their vehicle as well as those operating around them. No one ever mentions how the locomotive engineer, who can do nothing more than throw the train into emergency braking and hold on until the crash - hoping he does not get derailed. How sad and stupid can one get than to drive carelessly when approaching and crossing railroad tracks.

[Alan__]

Jon - This could be priceless footage as I see it takes the inside also. I can't wait to see the facial expressions on Lady Di as various idiots cut in front of you. Her stories are hilarious of the many previous episodes. Be sure to have plenty of digital storage so you don't over write some of the close calls!

[Jon Wehrenberg]

I have to be sure the sound is turned down. Lady Di has used some expressions that are not suitable for public consumption.

The facial expressions will not necessarily be as interesting as the hand signals.

[Don]

It is not only Teenagers, truck drivers, little old ladies, mature men that will pull directly in front of you.
2 + years ago, March 2008 to be exact I was traveling around the Capital Beltway approaching the Baltimore Washington parkway in Prince George County Maryland on my way to Florida.

I noticed a County cop in a marked car following me for several miles; suddenly he was almost rubbing my coach as he was passing me at a high rate of speed. If that was not enough he abruptly dove in front of me and slammed on his brakes. Fortunately I had applied my brakes as soon as I had observed him passing me so close, which helped me avoid the jerk cop.

He then tried his best to make me hit him by slamming on his brakes again and again I had slowed down to I guess 10 to 20 MPH when he sped off. Did I get his License # or car # h— no I was to shaken up emotionally to do any thing but thank God I was OK besides can you imagine telling the PG County or a Judge that one of their FINEST had done such a thing. As far as insurance is concerned hitting a cop I would have lost.

I am looking to install something to document things of this nature. To show his commissioner
Then again he probably was the commissioner. Knowing PG County

[gmcbuffalo]

Anyone made a move on these Dash Cams?
Greg

[Will Garner]

How about a sign, everybody thinks one of those will solve their problems, posted on the drivers side engine bay door. The sign would say, "Drive Safely, CAMERA EQUIPPED VEHICLE." Maybe even a very large sign so we cover those "very experienced" drivers out there!

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Maybe something as esthetically pleasing as the signs that say "this vehicle makes wide right turns"?

I would confess to being opposed to signage which in a lot of cases implies the reader is a damn idiot lacking common sense. Is there anyone who has an IQ at or above room temperature that is not aware the bridge freezes before the road surface? Thank goodness the sign on the semi said it makes wide right turns. I didn't know that. I assume by the silence on the subject that its left turns are not so wide.

Do smokers need to be told that smoking is bad? Or that sleeping pills can make you drowsy?

Now I am beginning to see signs to warn drivers not to pull in too close after passing. As a nation we are apparently so stupid we have to be told the obvious. It is my opinion that the idiots that will be caught on tape on a dash cam causing an accident don't need to be told because if they lack the brains or common sense to drive properly having a sign warning them won't change their behavior.

Di wants me to install a large cannon on the front of the coach to blast these fools off our highway. I might be persuaded to put a sign on the back of the bus to warn the fools about that. If we blast some fool for pulling in too close and then hitting the brakes at least we know they will have been warned. My only hope is that these people will not have had an opportunity to breed before we blast them.