School bus contractor Dell Transportation of Port Washington, N.Y., announced it recently upgraded part of its bus fleet with Rosco’s new Dual-Vision™ XC 2+1 continuous automotive event recorder (AER), which offers a third camera for increased visibility.
Dell officials said they are continually finding new technologies to enhance safety for both the driver and the Long Island schoolchildren they have transported since 1956.
The new third camera option is ideal for the larger Type C and Type D school buses, as cameras can have difficulty capturing images of the deep interiors of the school bus. This is where student misbehavior often occurs, from bullying to assault.
The rising awareness of unsafe driving habits, such as distracted driving or driving while impaired (DWI), has inspired lawmakers to draft legislation mandating harsher penalties including hefty fines. The school bus contractor noted that fines can hurt drivers as well as businesses, with potential fees in the thousands of dollars.
A continuous recording system allows fleet managers to monitor dangerous driving habits, and the video footage is a crucial training tool for both managers and drivers. The AER systems also assist commercial drivers in following federal laws regarding distracted driving and hand-held devices. Studies have shown that AERs may reduce accident rates in fleets by 27 percent.
Dell said it began using the Dual-Vision two years ago for accident prevention and student management security, and today all 145 school buses operate with an AER.
“Our insurance premiums have gone down and our insurance company underwrites nearly 100 percent of the Dual-Vision devices,” said Bob Pape, Dell’s principal of transportation. “Our drivers love having the Dual-Vision in their buses, and it makes them more aware of their environment and gets them to slow down. The device also exonerates them from false accusations and improves safety for both children and drivers alike.”
Rosco’s Dual-Vision XC devices capture interior and exterior footage, supply GPS information, and offer instantaneous feedback to drivers. It can be installed on the interior windshield with minimal visual obstruction. It records audio and video in a 310° range and shares alerts with drivers in real time, such as when they drive over the speed limit.
Rosco Inc., which acquired Mirror Lite last year, is one of the largest suppliers of mirror and camera systems in North America, selling to major OEMs and parts distributors including Navistar/IC Corp., Freightliner/Thomas Built Buses and Blue Bird as well as insurance companies like National Interstate and Lancer.
