What if one video could save your company thousands – and prove your driver’s innocence?
When unexpected incidents happen on the road, facts matter. Mapon fleet cameras let you know what exactly happened so that you can protect your drivers from false accusations.
In this article, one of our clients shares how video footage has been critical in ensuring fair treatment for drivers and strengthening the company’s commitment to safety. One piece of video evidence can cut company costs by up to 15 work hours and €5,000 – read on to see how!
Our Client – Lähivaara Oy
The family-owned company Lähivaara Oy, based in Kuopio, has been in business since 1959 when Lassi Lähivaara started working with licensed freight transport. Originally specialising in raw timber transportation, the company has since expanded into factory and terminal operations in wood processing.
Building a Safety-First Culture with Video Telematics
“At Lähivaara Oy, safety isn’t just a priority – it’s at the core of everything we do. We actively listen to our drivers when adopting new technologies and processes to ensure their needs are met,” says the entrepreneur Kari Lähivaara.
Over the years, some of the company’s drivers have been wrongly accused of accidents that were actually caused by other road users. These experiences drove Lähivaara Oy to equip its entire fleet with camera systems.
In one serious case, one of the company’s vehicles was involved in an accident that could have resulted in severe charges against the driver. Fortunately, the cameras captured every detail, providing undeniable proof that cleared the driver and ensured a fair outcome.
Following this, the company’s occupational safety committee decided to install fleet camera systems in all their vehicles to protect drivers’ rights. Today, Lähivaara’s entire fleet of 26 vehicles is equipped with Mapon’s fleet monitoring system and our camera solutions.
“We’re committed to continuously improving our safety culture and promoting transparency. The video data we collect not only helps enhance transport safety within our company but is also valuable to forestry companies looking to elevate their safety standards,” says Kari Lähivaara.
He adds: “We’ve also shared video footage with SKAL (The Finnish Transport and Logistics Association, representative organisation for road haulage and logistics companies) to highlight hazardous road conditions – this benefits all road users and is part of our broader safety efforts.”
Fleet Cameras Bring Security, Fairness, and Cost Savings
Since implementing Mapon’s video monitoring system, Lähivaara has seen significant financial and operational benefits. For example, this winter, one of their vehicles slid off the road due to inadequate road maintenance. Thanks to the readily available video footage, the company was able to prove that poor road conditions, not driver error, were to blame.
“The cost savings from the Mapon camera system are substantial. Resolving just one false damage claim saves our management team 10–15 hours of work – not to mention avoiding insurance deductibles, increased future premiums, and other unnecessary expenses,” says Kari Lähivaara.
“In cases like this, savings range between €2,500 and €5,000. In fact, a single resolved case can cover the cost of equipping 15 vehicles with cameras.”
Prioritising Ease of Use and Automation
For Lähivaara, an essential requirement was that the cameras function automatically, without the need for driver intervention. Mapon video monitoring stands out for its user-friendly design, making it easy to access footage exactly when needed. Users can watch real-time camera feeds, automatic event recordings, or footage from specific timeframes.
“Beyond a system that is easy to use, we were looking for reliable customer support and robust data security. As a large international fleet management provider, Mapon meets both our and our clients’ expectations in these important areas,” summarises Kari Lähivaara.
“I recommend every transport company to implement Mapon camera systems”
Protecting Drivers, One Vehicle at a Time
Over the past few years, poor winter road maintenance, reckless driving by other road users, and various safety concerns have been growing issues for Lähivaara. Drivers have embraced the camera systems, knowing they provide crucial protection in accident disputes or ‘one word against another’ situations.
“It’s reassuring to know that our employer supports us and ensures legal protection when unexpected incidents happen on the road,” says Lähivaara driver Nate Ruuskanen.
Want to protect your fleet and employees while also cutting costs? Get in touch with us, and we’ll help you find the perfect camera system for your needs!