Driver safety is one of the most pressing matters on the minds of fleet managers and business owners. Not only do drivers have to watch the road for hazards, pedestrians, and fellow motorists, but they also have to react to sudden and often unexpected events, such as falling debris or unlawful maneuvers of those close by.
Companies interested in keeping fleets safe and protected have a lot to gain by choosing an MDVR (Mobile Digital Video Recording) system that offers enhanced ADAS (Advanced Driver Assist System). With cutting-edge tech like this, drivers will not only receive alerts in certain situations, but fleet managers will also be able to check in and see what’s happening in real time. This can help with coaching safer drivers, avoiding costly repairs, and building smarter fleets in the long run.
For additional details on how Navixy can help, give our specialists a call today.
The dangers of distracted driving
It’s no secret that distracted driving is one of the most common threats that motorists are faced with. According to the article “ADAS: Everything You Need to Know” by Car and Driver, the majority of road accidents are caused by human error, meaning that a person can significantly reduce incidents by paying more attention to what’s around them.
For an added element of protection, ADAS can help enhance situational awareness. After all, noticing a potential obstruction or hazardous scenario sooner can be the difference between a close call and an unfortunate situation.
Some common forms of driver distraction include eating, smoking, talking on the phone, using the vehicle’s infotainment system, speaking with passengers, and looking at a map. Though many of these seem minor on the surface, even a momentary lapse in attention can lead to an accident.
Ultimately, the bottom line is that distracted drivers are more likely to be involved in incidents that disrupt business operations, cost money in repairs and damages, and jeopardize companies’ reputations. Fortunately, many MDVR solutions are integrated with state-of-the-art ADAS technology.
What is ADAS?
To combat inattentiveness behind the wheel, innovators have significantly invested in developing and improving ADAS. Short for “Advanced Driver Assist System,” it has become an integral part of all types of vehicles, from personal cars to delivery trucks. In general, the associated warnings are related to what’s happening outside the cabin, whereas the DMS (Driver Monitoring System) focuses on the behavior of the individual behind the wheel.
Vans, cars, buses, and trucks use sensors and cameras that are connected to the MDVR system to detect other vehicles and objects in close proximity. If a hazard is detected, the system will generally emit an audible or visual warning so the person behind the wheel can react appropriately. Moreover, these take speed and direction into account, giving the driver ample time to react.
In addition to passive warnings, ADAS can also actively mitigate potential collisions by automatically engaging the brakes, turning the steering wheel, or taking a different course of action.
For instance, if a driver isn’t focused and inadvertently crosses the lane markings on the road, Lane Keep Assist will bring the deviation to their attention and will attempt to guide them back within the markings. Meanwhile, if a person, object, or vehicle is detected ahead and the driver doesn’t start slowing down, Automatic Emergency Braking can help them stop in time.
When combined with MDVR, these functions allow business owners to know where and when an incident may have occurred, since this tech includes GPS tracking and event-triggering video transmission.
Types of ADAS Warnings
To fully appreciate the capabilities of ADAS, it’s important to know what the most popular MDVR units on the market provide for alerts and warnings. Here, we list some of the most common safety features offered by this technology. Many of these aftermarket systems use SAE J3016 LEVEL0, which means they are driver support features that still require the person behind the wheel to be actively engaged.
- Forward Collision Warning
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Lane Assistance
- Traffic Sign Recognition
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Surround View Camera
- Rear Cross-Traffic Warning
- Blind Spot Monitor
Advantages of ADAS and MDVR
One of the most crucial advantages of ADAS-enhanced MDVR is improving safety on the road. Not only do drivers receive advanced warning to help them react to danger in time, but they also have an added layer of protection with active assistance. Moreover, fleet managers can use incident data and triggered alerts to train drivers in areas in which they might be weak. Ultimately, this can make fleets safer and less likely to be involved in collisions.
Below, you’ll find two examples of how such data can be utilized. The first, from the Teltonika DualCam, shows the device notification for Crash Detection, which allows you to choose a priority setting and will send a text when a triggering event occurs. Furthermore, the device will automatically send a video clip up to 30 seconds in length to a remote server. Additional data from the collision, such as the speed and location, is sent to the fleet manager for analysis.
To really understand how the actions of drivers impact businesses, it’s vital to have detailed diagnostics. Certain MDVR devices offer a driver scoring system, which rates employees on how often they speed, brake too hard, or otherwise put themselves at risk of collision. The more violations they accrue, the lower the score. And if things don’t change after several warnings, the fleet manager can address the individual and provide coaching.
Along with this, AI-enhanced MDVR provides the addition of machine learning for seemingly continuous self-improvement by recognizing patterns in large data sets. Therefore, it’s likely that driver-assist features will offer even more capabilities in the near and distant future.
While both ADAS and MDVR separately offer a host of advantages, they’re capable of even more when combined. In order to fully understand drivers’ weaknesses, it’s vital to know what sorts of incidents are happening and where. Furthermore, MDVR makes it possible to review accident footage to identify what needs to be improved. Meanwhile, ADAS can keep teams safer by coming to their aid during moments of inattention or distraction.
You can learn more about MDVR, ADAS, and video telematics with Navixy by contacting one of our expert team members.
