An increasing number of cars and trucks are now equipped with dash cams. In North America, an estimated 18% of vehicles carry the devices. They certainly aren’t ubiquitous yet, but the number is rising. There are reasons for this – potentially lower insurance costs, cheaper devices, easier integration – but road safety is of growing importance.
Over the last five to six years, dash cams have increasingly come with integration with artificial intelligence. An AI dash cam compared to a regular dash cam is a bit like comparing a landline telephone to an iPhone. The AI devices do so much more than just record video of the road ahead of the driver: AI dash cams tend to act as a de facto copilot, keeping the driver safe, anticipating potential hazards, and providing many other ‘nudges’ that add up to a safer journey.
AI Dash Cams Can Improve Driver Behavior
But how is this achieved and how effective is it? Should we all use an AI dash cam? Let’s look at some of the evidence.
Before looking at the technical specificities, we should first examine some of the psychological impacts of having an AI dashcam on board. A 2023 study by Driver Technologies, for example, looked at the habits of 17,000 drivers over a 20-hour period. The study found that the drivers were 11 times less likely to speed, 4 times less likely to run a stop sign, and 3 times less likely to tailgate. In this case, the dash cam itself acted as the deterrent, keeping drivers alert and responsible.
Data and Real-Time Alerts
On the technical side, the two key aspects overall are based on constant data analysis and real-time alerts. For the former, most AI dash cams will monitor traffic, potential hazards, and other vehicles. There is also data monitoring of the driver, looking for signs of fatigue, aggressive driving, and other distractions (like cell phone use).
Data is important for hindsight analysis, too. Near collisions and collisions can be recorded and analyzed, which is becoming increasingly important when it comes to insurance claims and other disputes. Some AI dash cams are also capable of event logging, such as when the vehicle runs a red light or speeds. All of this data can be retrieved and used as evidence to showcase the safety of the journey.
The real-time alerts are of crucial importance, and it’s arguably where the magic of AI really lies. Fleet drivers, in particular, may make use of in-cabin alerts, informing them of unsafe behaviors, such as swaying out of their lanes. Forward collision alerts will warn drivers if they are approaching a vehicle ahead on the road too quickly and a collision is imminent.
The Falling Cost of Insurance
Fleet companies and other commercial vehicle companies have also increasingly used these data points and alerts to coach drivers. Companies can use the footage in training programs, driver selection, and even reward programs for the safest employees. There is a huge incentive for those companies to use AI dash cams, as the costs of avoiding accidents and providing data to insurance companies for cheaper premiums can be extensive.
Moreover, AI dash cams can transform the data collected into actionable insights for long-term behavioral changes. This technology allows for a tailored coaching experience where specific driving habits can be targeted for improvement. For instance, a driver prone to frequent hard braking can receive focused training on maintaining safe following distances and smooth deceleration.
We mentioned insurance, and it is important to stress that these companies now recognize the safety benefits of AI dash cams. It varies by type of vehicle and industry, but some studies have shown an 86% decrease in accident-related costs for fleets when introducing AI dash cams. Some insurers have been known to drop costs by up to 18% for commercial fleets that use them. Insurance companies are far from stupid, and we know they will only do this if there is tangible evidence that AI dash cams improve road safety.
Small Gains Adding Up to Better Safety
All of the above probably feels like small gains. But when you start to add them up – and factor in that more and more drivers will be using AI dash cams – the sum of the parts can lead to fewer accidents on the roads. The combined benefits of improved safety, reduced insurance costs, and enhanced driver accountability suggest that AI dash cams are a valuable addition to modern vehicles. Their ability to act as both a preventive and reactive safety measure makes them an essential tool for drivers and fleet managers alike, ultimately contributing to safer roads for everyone.
