What Is a Fleet Safety Camera? Features, Types, and Buying Tips

If you’re managing a fleet, you know how it feels when your crew gets into an accident. Just last year, the FMCSA recorded over 170,000 crashes, and some might’ve been people you know. While most aren’t fatal, some people see these crashes as a way to get money out of your business. 

If you manage a crew of HVAC techs or plumbers, your vehicles are out in traffic all day. 

While accidents happen, so do false claims. A fleet safety camera helps protect your business. 

What is a fleet safety camera?

Fleet safety cameras mount on your commercial vehicles, so you’ve got a record of what’s happening on the road. A lot of them face the cab and the road with one device, keeping you posted if your drivers aren’t wearing their seatbelts, speeding, or tailgating someone. 

You’ve heard of dash cams. A fleet safety camera is essentially that, but for your commercial fleet. They often work with your telematics software to track mileage and idling to keep your fleet efficient. Some even use AI alerts so you know right when your drivers are being unsafe.

Alerts should include:

• Phone use
• Tailgating
• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Wearing seatbelts

You get the most out of these AI-powered cameras when they work with your fleet management software. That way, you can coach drivers on what they should be doing before those behaviors turn into accidents. 

Who are fleet safety cameras built for?

Fleet safety cameras are built for fleet managers who want to keep their fleet safe without feeling like a micromanager. They’re a great fit if you’re trying to focus on growing your business, whether that be HVAC, plumbing, lawn care, pest control, or local delivery. 

But the fleet-tracking systems behind them may be overkill, as some are built for massive logistics teams. If you’re not one of those, look for simple tools that work on your phone and desktop. That way, you can get the info you need without paying for features you don’t want. 

Types of fleet safety cameras

Fleet safety cameras either hook into your vehicle’s engine or OBD-II port, often sticking to your windshield. 

Stick with option one if you’re looking for a simple installation. But option two may be better if you’re also looking for an electronic logging device (ELD).

These types also vary by their features: 

• Forward-facing cameras: Capture what your driver sees on the road, which can help if someone tries to stage an accident.
• Dual-facing cameras: Spot distracted and unsafe driving with cab- and road-facing cameras, ideally with one device
• AI-enabled cameras: Sends you automatic alerts if your driver is tailgating, using a phone, or showing signs of drowsiness.
• Side and rear cameras: Cover blind spots and areas your driver can’t see to protect big vehicles in tight areas.
• Multi-camera systems: Front, cab, and side views that fit risky industries like construction. 

How much does a fleet safety camera cost?

Fleet safety cameras are anywhere from $80 to $400. More expensive ones are more likely to have multi-camera support or AI notifications, but you can often save money by signing up for tracking services. 

Big names like Geotab aren’t upfront about their pricing. Here are a few that are more transparent, broken down by camera: 

If you’ve found a cheaper camera, it might be a regular old dash cam. Keep in mind that commercial cameras work with fleet safety systems. If they don’t, they won’t do much to help protect your crew from risky behaviors.

How fleet safety cameras help your business

Fleet safety cameras help you and your business stay informed. That’s less time spent on managing and more time spent on growth. 

Protect yourself from liability risks

It’s tough to prove your driver wasn’t at fault without a camera. Without one, you could end up with a huge bill and one less good driver. Video proof makes it clear who was at fault, saving your driver’s career and keeping you out of court. 

Dispute traffic tickets easily

Tickets can drive up insurance costs and damage your business’s reputation. But video evidence could help get it dismissed, making your driver and bank account a bit happier. 

Driver coaching and accountability

Getting ahead of bad driving behavior helps you stop an accident before it happens. But drivers may not want to believe they did anything wrong. A fleet safety cam will clearly show them the behavior, transforming an argument into a coaching opportunity. 

Prove you did the work

Customers don’t always think you did the work if it wasn’t obvious. If you work in pest control or HVAC, you know this firsthand. Fleet safety cameras can record when your driver gets out, adding a timestamp in your telematics software for that extra proof. 

Protect your fleet from theft

Stolen vehicles are never fun, especially when you rely on them to run your business. But fleet safety cameras send alerts when your vehicle turns on, snapping candid photos of the thief in action. If they come with GPS trackers, you can even find out where they’re going. 

With Linxup, you can also track trailers, containers, and equipment using GPS asset trackers. If something goes missing, open your phone and show it to a police officer so you can get your gear back fast. 

Help you qualify for insurance discounts

Fleet insurance premiums saw an increase of 12% in the first half of 2024, which isn’t great when running a business. Thankfully, fleet safety camera systems with tracking software can help, providing them with evidence that you care about safety. 

Fleet safety camera features to look for

If you run a small business, focus on features that protect your drivers from claims and spot problems before they happen.

• Video quality: 1080p is usually enough to capture important details and help defend you against false claims.
• GPS integration: Cameras should work with GPS systems to send speeding alerts based on the street their own. Some even use geofences to make sure your vehicles are at the right site. 
• AI event detection: Alerts for tailgating, phone use, or seatbelt violations can help you spot behaviors that lead to accidents. 
• On-board storage: Cameras should support SD card storage so the video goes with the camera. Cloud storage is convenient if you want automatic uploads, but make sure you’ve got that SD card ready as a backup. 
• Fleet telematics integration: Cameras should work with telematics systems to keep drivers accountable and track improvements, creating a culture of safety you can be proud of. 
• ELD dash cam compatibility: If you’re in long-haul, commercial bussing, or hazmat, pick cameras with ELD support. This saves you from needing to buy an extra device.
• Ease of installation: So you don’t have to pay for professional installation, pick cameras that plug directly into your OBD port. 

While not a camera feature, try to pick a company with U.S.-based, human support. If you’re stuck in an AI phone tree and get to someone who doesn’t understand you, you’ll be even more frustrated than you were when you got on. 

Protect your fleet with Linxup’s AI-powered fleet safety cameras

Fleet safety cameras are arguably the most important part of keeping your business safe. Beyond saving you from fake claims, video evidence helps prevent distracted or unsafe driving before it becomes an accident. It can even save you a bit of money.

Linxup’s fleet dash cams can give you that peace of mind without any of the unnecessary bells and whistles that come with enterprise software. 

Install your camera with a suction cup and OBD port, then call our U.S.-based customer service line to help you connect the camera and get on the road within minutes, not hours. When on the road, you’ll automatically receive driving alerts so you can start coaching your drivers and get one step closer to building a culture of safety. 

Try a free demo to see how Linxup can protect your business and crew.

Fleet Safety Camera FAQ

Can fleet dash cams reduce insurance costs?

Yes. Fleet dash cams can help reduce insurance costs if the provider offers a discount. Otherwise, you’ll have to play the long game by coaching your driver so they can maintain their good record. 

Do fleet safety cameras work at night?

Many come with infrared or low-light capabilities so you can see in the dark. Check out the product description page to find out. 

How do fleet safety cameras handle data storage?

Fleet safety cams use on-board SD cards or can transfer videos to the cloud in real time. Ideally, you’ll find one that will do both so you can automatically create backups. 

What's the difference between a fleet safety camera and a regular dash cam?

Fleet safety cams are built for businesses and work with video telematics software to help you track driver behavior. In contrast, dashcams record and store video on an SD card, just like a fleet safety cam, but minus the business features. 

Do I need a fleet safety camera if my drivers aren't professional truckers?

Nobody will fine you for not having a fleet safety camera, but professional truckers can really benefit from having one. Beyond the extra information that helps you coach them, the driver will thank you if it saves their career after an accident.

What behaviors do fleet safety cameras detect?

Fleet safety dash cameras look for tailgating, speeding, phone use, and other unsafe behaviors on the road and in the cab. 

Where does fleet camera footage go?

If you’ve got a camera with cloud sync, it goes to your management system’s cloud storage platform. Otherwise, you can find it on your camera’s SD card. 

How easy is it to access fleet camera video footage?

When using cloud storage, open your fleet management software or app to access the footage. With an SD card, plug it into a laptop, phone, or tablet with a matching slot. 

Can fleet camera video footage be paired with GPS tracking?

Video footage can be paired with GPS tracking if you’ve got a fleet management tool that supports it. Otherwise, you’ll have to download the GPS data and video footage to do it manually.