Commonly referred to as a “dashcam” or more formally as an “onboard camera”, this increasingly prevalent tool in the industry is becoming indispensable not only for compliance teams but also as a key element in highlighting a carrier’s behavior during hearings before the Commission des transports du Québec (CTQ).
The Commission des transports du Québec
The growing presence of onboard cameras in heavy vehicles on our roads has not gone unnoticed by the CTQ.
Take for example the decision in Transports Jenkins ltée, 2019 QCCTQ 935. In this case, the company’s file was referred to the CTQ for a sixth time due to an alcohol-related incident and reaching the 75% threshold in the “safety of operations” behavior zone.
Summarizing the company’s testimony during the hearing, the CTQ noted:
“[86] Transports Jenkins ltée recently tested onboard cameras in four semi-trailer tractors to monitor driver behavior, notably by linking the footage with truck data.
[88] Based on the evidence presented by TJL, the Commission believes that installing this type of onboard camera in the company’s trucks is likely to improve driver behavior and thus enhance operational safety.”[1](our emphasis and highlights)
Combined with telemetry tools, onboard cameras allow carriers to monitor driver behavior in cases of accidents, infractions, or even sudden braking. This gives carriers a powerful tool to conduct personalized follow-ups with at-risk drivers by directly observing their behavior on the road.
Installing such cameras clearly demonstrates a genuine commitment to improving driver behavior and ensuring the safety of all road users.
In the decision Modu-Loc Fence Rentals LP, 2020 QCCTQ 1811, the CTQ stated:
“[54] Modu-Loc’s heavy vehicles are also equipped with camera systems that reduce accident risks.
[55] These initiatives show that the company is committed to raising driver awareness about adopting safe driving behavior.”[2](our emphasis and highlights)
Monitoring Driver Behavior Records
(hereinafter: 'PEVL file')
Videos collected are undeniably valuable when determining a carrier’s responsibility in an accident. As tireless and infallible witnesses, videos allow for clear and indisputable analysis of each party’s behavior and can potentially prove the carrier’s lack of fault.
Similarly, video footage can recreate the moments of an alleged infraction and provide concrete answers to questions that previously relied solely on the defendant’s credibility in court, such as whether a traffic light was red or yellow.
In negotiations, when a driver’s account contradicts that of the officer who issued a citation, prosecutors almost always refuse to drop charges. However, video evidence allows for an objective analysis of the situation, potentially showing, for example, that the light was yellow and not red, thus avoiding a trial months later and the associated costs.
Finally, as mentioned earlier, using onboard cameras in conjunction with telemetry systems enables the detection of risky behavior and allows it to be addressed proactively before any accident or infraction occurs. This approach shifts the focus from reaction to prevention. Even in reactive scenarios, it facilitates disciplinary follow-up and the implementation of a support plan for drivers involved in incidents or citations.
In conclusion, for onboard cameras to be fully effective, their installation and use must be accompanied by a process for reviewing and managing the data collected by the carrier.
[1] Transports Jenkins Ltd., 2019 QCCTQ 935, paras. 86 and 88
[2] Modu-Loc Fence Rentals LP, 2020 QCCTQ 1811, paras. 54 and 55
This publication was featured in Transport Magazine.