As new technology is constantly popping up, one of the largest transportation companies has plans to install a new and controversial camera system.
Swift Transportation will be installing DriveCam cameras in about 6,000 of their company trucks starting in May.
These dual-facing cameras are there to record the outside and inside of the truck. Of course, a lot of the controversy comes from the fact that the camera will be recording the inside of the truck, aka the driver. As much as it sounds like an invasion of privacy for the truck driver, the system is set up in a way that is supposed to protect the truck driver.
“The in-cab coach is controlled by your driving behaviors,” said Richard Stocking, Swift Transportation’s President to Live Trucking. “In fact, the video recorder will only record when there is an event like swerving or braking. And then it’s only capturing 10 seconds before and 10 seconds after the event.”
Not all truckers who drive for Swift will be impacted by this installation, however. Owner-operators who are contracted with Swift will not be included in the implementation at this time (and are most likely happy about that).
According to a Land Line Magazine article, rumors have been circulating that the driver will be monitored constantly, regardless of his or her behavior.
Stocking addressed this by saying, “I am personally asking that you resist listening to all the rumors and misinformation that seems to be circulating.”