Oct 22, 2010 8:58 AM

SmartDrive Systems has been selected by Button Transportation Inc of Dixon CA to equip the trucking company with an advanced, video-based driver safety system.

The SmartDrive safety system uses in-vehicle recorders to capture detailed video and vehicle data during sudden stops, swerves, collisions, and other events. Captured data is downloaded wirelessly and sent to professional safety reviewers who categorize and score the events according to 50-plus safety observations. Supervisors at Button Transportation will then use these results to coach drivers, improving fleet performance and overall driving safety.

The SmartDrive program allows fleet managers to see exactly what happened during the 15 seconds before and after a triggered event. It gives them a detailed view of what led up to an event, and how to avoid it happening again.

“We chose the SmartDrive safety system to help our good drivers become great,” said Bob Button, the trucking firm’s chief executive officer. “The video record of events will also serve as a witness to help protect our drivers from false claims and being wrongly accused when they’re not at fault. As a truck fleet owner, SmartDrive offers me both performance and peace of mind.”

Button Transportation serves the agriculture and produce industries in seven western United States. Its 180-vehicle fleet includes refrigerated units, hoppers, flats, and tankers. SmartDrive began deploying the in-vehicle event and data recorders in July 2010.

For more information, visit www.smartdrive.net.