FMCSA permits changeto in-cab video camera placement

April 16, 2009
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is granting an exemption to DriveCam Inc that will enable video event recorders to be mounted on commercial motor vehicles lower in the windshield.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is granting an exemption to DriveCam Inc that will enable video event recorders to be mounted on commercial motor vehicles lower in the windshield.

According to information published in the Federal Register April 15, the exemption would allow the lower location that is currently prohibited by the agency's regulation.

DriveCam requested the exemption so that commercial motor vehicle operators would be able to use video event recorders to increase safety through identification and remediation of risky driving behaviors such as distracted driving and drowsiness; enhanced monitoring of passenger behavior for CMVs in passenger service; and enhanced collision review and analysis.

FMCSA said it believes that permitting video event recorders to be mounted lower than currently allowed, but still outside the driver's sight lines to the road and highway signs and signals, will maintain a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety achieved without the exemption.

More information is posted in the online Federal Register.