BASE Coach Sales and Centrad are celebrating almost a decade of working together on the fitment of CCTV systems to vehicles supplied by the Lancashire dealership by highlighting the ever-increasing importance of such equipment on insurance coverage.
The relationship began when BASE was recommended to Centrad, which has an extensive record of working with coach operators. It now provides eight- and 12-camera systems to Beulas and MOBIpeople coaches imported by BASE. Those units capture footage around the exterior of vehicles as well as inside them, including the stairwells.
BASE notes that comprehensive CCTV coverage is even more important given insurance costs. Says General Manager Nick Dodgson: “With insurance premiums being at an all-time high, the importance of having evidence-based solutions retrofitted onto our vehicles has never been more vital.
“This is further highlighted by the fact that we have had numerous conversations with customers who have been informed by their insurers that without vehicle camera systems in place, they are more or less uninsurable.”
Mr Dodgson adds that the hierarchy of road users introduced in recent years means that coach and bus drivers bear an even greater burden to reduce the danger posed to other road users by their vehicles.
“With greater expectation and responsibility placed on drivers to ensure that they are operating safely on the roads, technological support, such as CCTV camera systems, is required in order to mitigate the threat of unsolicited claims or claims where the coach driver is not at fault.”
BASE sits closely aligned to operator Holmeswood Coaches. Mr Dodgson says that there has been a “huge” shift in driver attitudes towards cameras.
“Where previously they felt that such solutions evoked a Big Brother feel, many who drive for our customers now claim that they feel they cannot carry out their role without them – largely because they know they have a safety net at all times if an incident does occur, whether that involves passengers, other vehicles, or vulnerable road users.”
On the dealership’s work on CCTV with Centrad, Mr Dodgson says that BASE sees as major positives the supplier’s respected position within the coach and bus industry and its approach to quality and aftersales support, alongside its willingness to listen.
“Camera systems ultimately remove the debate in identifying who is at fault in the event of an incident, as operators can use footage as clear and tangible evidence.
“Without such solutions in place, insurers openly state that fighting insurance claims would be extremely difficult – highlighted by the fact that the vast majority of customers now request to start day one with their vehicle having a camera system installed. Nor would we recommend otherwise.”
