A better safety record can help commercial fleets stand out. And the quickest way to a better safety record is through dual-facing dash cams that help improve driver performance.
Great safety managers understand that dual-facing dash cams can lead to continuous improvement. And while drivers tend to resist dual-facing dash cams for being too intrusive, they also care a lot about improvement.
So don’t be afraid to introduce dual-facing dash cams into your fleet. If you’re worried about driver resistance, this seven-step guide can help. Follow the tips below to earn driver buy-in and have a smoother onboarding experience.
1. Be transparent
No one likes surprises, so explain your reasons for implementing a safety solution up front. Was a high-profile collision the catalyst? Have unsafe driving behaviors been rising? By explaining why you plan to invest in dash cams, you’ll help drivers understand why they’re needed.
Be clear about how you’ll use dual-facing dash cams and what you want to achieve. Show drivers where the company stands, versus where safety technology can take you.
2. Educate drivers about safety technology
When the onboarding process is rushed, driver resistance tends to be stronger. Take the time to educate drivers about how dual-facing dash cams work and which behaviors you’ll focus on. As AI dash cams become more customized, fleets have more control over which behaviors they’ll root out. Do you want to turn off seat belt alerts and focus exclusively on cell phone use? You can do that.
Tools like the Motive AI Dashcam let drivers grow in their development. Whenever the AI Dashcam captures an unsafe driving event, the video clip is shared directly with your fleet safety department and the driver. Drivers can view the video footage right through the Motive Driver App, getting full visibility whenever an incident takes place.
3. Communicate early and often
From the day you decide to install dash cams across your fleet, to the day they’re turned on, consistent messaging will go a long way in obtaining driver buy-in.
Holding an open forum with your team is a great place to start. Establish a dialog, then take the opportunity to learn what your drivers know about dash cams. From there, you can assess what else they need to learn and establish next steps.
The earlier in the process you establish a dialog, the better off you’ll be. Keep in mind, we’re not talking about a single conversation here. The more touchpoints you offer, the greater your chances of obtaining driver buy-in.
4. Keep it positive
Whether you’re communicating verbally in meetings or sending letters home, the more positive you are in your approach, the more likely drivers are to overcome their fears and accept change.
Drivers will be less likely to resist if you make it clear the technology is not intended to be used as a punitive tool, but rather as one that fosters continuous improvement and safer habits.
A dual-facing AI dash cam like the one from Motive can be used to reward safe driving performance. Share that fact with your drivers. The safest companies use fleet safety technology to highlight what drivers did right, and they use dash cam video clips to illustrate and celebrate safe driving.
For example, you could share videos on a reel in the break room, or reward safe behavior with company swag and gift cards. Even a handwritten note goes a long way.
5. Go ahead and listen
Yes, it’s important to inform drivers of how the technology works. Just as important is addressing drivers’ concerns. What are their pain points? What’s holding them back? By asking for drivers’ input — and listening to it — you can encourage their participation in the process and make them feel like a priority.
6. Find the champions
In every group of drivers are those who recognize the need for an AI dash cam and its ability to improve safety. Cultivate these champions and let them share their views with more reluctant drivers. The power of peers carries a lot of weight, and those on the fence often appreciate what the champions have to say.
7. Show drivers how safety technology can advocate for them
Dual-facing dash cams often make businesses more profitable and efficient, and protect drivers at the wheel. As a professional development tool, a dash cam often enhances awareness, improves productivity, and helps drivers retain their jobs while they improve.
A dual-facing dash cam can protect drivers’ professional reputations, exonerating them from wrongful blame. When rolling out new safety technology, help drivers see the benefits. Once they realize the ways a dash cam can protect the company and themselves, they’ll be more likely to accept it.
Learn how AI dash cams can protect your drivers
Are you thinking about rolling out new safety technology? Motive’s new AI Dashcam can drive down unsafe driving behaviors in your fleet. Request a demo today.
