Using On-Board Video To Conduct Driver Skills Assessments And Maintain Social Distance

By Del Lisk, VP of Safety, Lytx

Many trucking businesses conduct road tests or skills assessments as a component of their internal safety requirements. This is commonly done by someone with the appropriate competency riding along with a driver to determine if the driver is capable of safely operating a commercial motor vehicle.  The COVID-19 outbreak and the need for social distancing makes these ride-along assessments difficult, if not impossible. Understandably, both driver and/or evaluator may be reluctant to sit side-by-side in the cab and violate the minimum 6-foot social distancing recommendation.

For fleets with the technology, a potential work-around during these times of crisis is to use in-cab video to accomplish a driver skills assessment in such a way that the driver is in the cab while the assessor is in front of his or her computer. For example, the Lytx SF300 video recorder can be configured to capture both a road and driver facing view. In addition to capturing video on an exception and continually recorded basis, this device also has the ability to get a live stream view of the road ahead as well as a view of the driver, if enabled.

Here is what a skills assessment via live stream might look like. The driver is provided instructions in advance as to the route to take, including any maneuvers that may be required. Once the driver is underway, a supervisor with the right access can then log on to get a live stream view of the journey. The supervisor may use a checklist or a notepad to record items of interest while viewing the trip.