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Testing GPS Insight Dash Cams with CMO Sandra Hittle

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Man standing against a blue background holding a tablet with 3 check boxes with check marks floating above the tablet.

Testing GPS Insight Dash Cams w/ CMO Sandra Hittle

Here’s What Happened

 

To get a better understanding of our product, our CEO, Charles Layne, challenged us to experience what our dash cam users feel when equipped with Netradyne Driveri cameras. While these cameras boast some notable features, I was skeptical of having a camera in my car, because I wasn’t sure what to expect. Understandably, I had a few questions: 

    • How often is it recording?
    • How many alerts am I going to have to listen to?
    • What embarrassing habits are getting recorded?

I knew the best way to understand what our customer’s experience, and learn the product functions, was to get one installed set out on a quest for answers. So, with an open mind, and a road full of traffic, I took to the streets of Phoenix to begin testing GPS Insight dash cams in the wild! 

Here’s What I Learned

 

I drive…way too efficiently (a.k.a. fast).
If I didn’t have my front seat driver, I wouldn’t have an idea of how often I break the speed limit, especially on the freeway. The Driveri camera alerts the driver the moment they break the speed threshold and prompts them to slow down. I will say, those alerts got annoying faster than me driving anywhere that wasn’t a school zone, even if they’re friendly. However, I made some noticeable changes within the first few days, just trying to prevent the alerts from triggering. I’ve certainly reduced my hard-braking, tight cornering, rapid acceleration, and more.
 
I don’t like being told how to drive.
The camera’s vocal alerts aside, I really don’t like being monitored while I’m on the road, but I will say it made me a safer driver and I’m more cautious about the way I change lanes, exit freeways, enter parking lots, and so on. Plus, there is a positive, you can speak to your account admin and turn off or reduce certain alerts, once you’ve had time to test out the best cadence for you and your fleet.
However, a few of the alerts, I do appreciate more than others, such as the following distance notifications. The camera will calmly say “Maintain Safe Distance”, to ensure that I won’t get into a fender bender if the line in front of me hits the brakes last-minute (which would trigger a hard-braking alert, so stay frosty!) 
I’m on my phone way too much, even if it’s just at stop lights.
I get alerted by the Driveri, almost every time I touch my phone. Someone texts, alerted. Checking an email, alerted. Switching a song on Pandora, alerted.
I realize, I shouldn’t be doing any of these things, but it’s basic human nature these days. Fleet managers, understand that we are all guilty of this, give your team some grace while they’re getting used to the hardware, but be stern if bad driving habits don’t improve. 
Coupled with Google Maps, the dash cam prevented me from getting a ticket.
Along with the in-cab alerts, the GPS Insight software pulls traffic data from Google Maps, so even though I didn’t have the software on my phone, I pulled up my route in the Maps app and hit the road. I noticed the “Speed Gun” icon appeared, signifying that a speed trap was coming up. Almost simultaneously, my camera notified me that I was teetering on the current speed threshold.
As I dropped back in my lane, I noticed the black and white SUV posted up between the freeway and the entry ramp, trying to catch speeder racers through the zone. I dodged an easy citation from the officer and was able to maintain a comfortable speed until I got to my destination. Whew!
While I just have to worry about myself when it comes to car insurance, this made me think of what a benefit this brings to fleets of all sizes. By helping drivers to operate more consciously, their overall citations will be reduced, which protects businesses from a rise in insurance premiums. Being able to prove that with video evidence, will also prevent the need to battle another motorist in court if there’s an argument over who’s responsible.
GPS Insight Dashboard Google Maps
The camera prevented an accident that wasn’t my fault.
My forward-facing camera caught a driver on my right, drifting in between 2 and 3 o’clock. Without flicking the left turn signal to merge, the driver started to push into my lane and was quickly suspected as a threat by my camera. The audible alert helped me to retract to allow him to enter (as a forgiving motorist does), which reminded me to trigger my Driver Alert Button. This “tags” the event, and after about 2 minutes, my team was able to view the HD video clip inside our Customer Portal. After I got home, I was also have to view the event in my Driveri dashboard which reminded me that this entire exchange is on HD video.
It’s reassuring to know that if something had happened, I wouldn’t have had to deal with the arguing that I was in the right, the camera is there to back me up and corroborate my story. This is monumental for fleets who have multiple vehicles out in the field every day, putting themselves into dangerous situations that could cause damage or drama.
Drowsiness Detected!
This was an interesting one, it’s hard to make yourself look or seem tired when you’re trying to test the camera’s AI. However, I was able to fake a few yawns that the camera captured. After a quick “Drowsy Driving alert, I was able to conclude any truly tired drivers could take this opportunity to stop, stretch, caffeinate, and fuel up before hopping back on the road, refreshed and ready to roll.

Here’s How I’ve Changed

My time with the Driveri camera began as a bit of a struggle, but after getting used to it, and realizing that I have the ability to reach out to a product specialist to alter the frequency of the alerts, it became more of a blessing than a burden. Our relationship started as overbearing and annoying but became more of a collaborative effort to make sure myself and my vehicle are safe; while also ensuring I navigate the roadways in a respectable (and legal) way when it comes to other motorists, as well.

GPS Insight GreenZone Fleet Average Score

If you’re looking for more than just a front- and driver-facing view of your vehicle, and would like to incorporate side or rear-facing camera views, the Driveri Hub-X can offer even more omniscience for concerned fleet managers and owners. Then you’ll be able to exonerate drivers from side and rear collisions as well as any additional damages that a single windshield-mounted dashcam may miss.

GPS Insight DHub Camera Footage Still e1717614425501

I hope this brief synopsis of my time with the Driveri provided some insight for any prospective users who are looking for an easy, affordable way to improve the visibility of your drivers and mobile assets throughout their journeys each day.

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