DriveCam’s system uses a window-mounted recording device that captures forward and cab-facing video.Lytx, Inc. (formerly DriveCam Inc.), a global provider of delivering driver safety and compliance systems, announced that a new study of heavy truck and bus collisions conducted by The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) found that its video-based driver safety program has the potential to dramatically save lives and reduce injuries.
The study was based on the results of a 2009 field test commissioned by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration where the Lytx system was installed in two fleets to collect data on the reduction of risky driving. The fleets saw reductions of 37 and 52 percent, respectively. The test also showed a reduction of near-miss accidents by 75 percent.
Assuming that all heavy trucks and buses vehicles had the Lytx system installed, VTTI concluded in this most recent study commissioned by Lytx that fatalities, collisions and injuries could potentially be reduced by the following amounts:
|
Potential Avg. |
Percent of Total |
|
|
Lives Saved |
801 |
20% |
|
Collisions Prevented |
25,007 |
35% |
|
Injuries Prevented |
39,066 |
36% |
“If driver behavior is the primary reason for traffic crashes, then approaches that pinpoint and focus on reducing risky driving behavior are likely to be the most effective in reducing crashes,” said Dr. Jeffrey Hickman in the study. Hickman is the group leader for the Behavioral Analysis and Applications Group under the Center for Truck and Bus Safety.
“Motor vehicle crashes are often predictable and preventable. Yet, many drivers choose to behave in ways that put themselves and others at risk for a vehicle crash and/or serious injuries. The most efficacious onboard safety monitoring systems use in-vehicle video technology to gather driving behaviors that can be addressed and corrected, thereby reducing future crash risk,” he continued.
“The results of this study underscore our mission – we harness the power of video, predictive analytics and cloud technologies to prevent collisions, save lives and transform businesses,” said Brandon Nixon, Lytx chairman and CEO. “Someone dies in a vehicle collision in the U.S. every 15 minutes. Each fatality represents someone’s loved one. The sad truth is that 90 percent of these tragedies are due to human error and are avoidable. We’re dedicated to using our technology to help professional drivers adopt safer driving habits and measurably reduce the risk that is happening on our roads every day.”
The study quantitatively evaluated the potential safety benefits of equipping all United States trucks and buses with Lytx’s DriveCam Program by using a large national crash database called the General Estimates System (GES). The GES database included information about the vehicle, injuries and fatalities, violations, and contributing factors for a sample of crashes during calendar years 2010 to 2012.
