At Santee Cooper, safety is a core value that extends to every worksite, including those on wheels. Whether it’s conducting routine maintenance on power lines or responding to emergencies, our crews spend a lot of time on the road. To help keep our employees and the public safe, Santee Cooper has rolled out AI-powered dashboard cameras and telematics systems across our company on-road vehicles.
This initiative builds on our long-standing dedication to safe driving practices and represents a significant step forward in fleet safety management. Partnering with Samsara, a national leader in connected operations technology, we equipped vehicles with integrated systems that go far beyond traditional monitoring.
The primary focus is proactive safety enhancement. These AI dash cams provide real-time detection of potential risks, such as harsh braking, speeding, or distractions, delivering constructive feedback to help drivers adopt safer, more efficient habits. By identifying near-misses and offering immediate coaching insights, the technology empowers our teams to prevent incidents before they occur – reducing accidents and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
“Dash cams are an important tool for improving safety across our fleet,” said Andy Green, Senior Manager of Occupational Safety and Health. “They allow us to review incidents accurately, support our drivers when they’re not at fault, and use real-world examples to strengthen training and prevent future accidents.”
In the unfortunate event of an incident, the systems capture clear, high-definition footage from both road- and driver-facing cameras. This objective evidence not only accelerates claims processing but, more importantly, protects our drivers and the public at large by contributing to fair outcomes.
Studies from similar implementations show substantial benefits: fleets using AI-enabled dual-facing dash cams and telematics have achieved up to 73% reductions in crash rates over time, alongside dramatic decreases in risky behaviors. Since implementation we have seen a considerable reduction in distracted driving and an improvement in seat belt usage.
At Santee Cooper, this technology aligns with our award-winning safety record, including multiple American Public Power Association excellence awards, as we strive for an incident-free environment. This investment underscores our priority to keep our people safe while reliably serving South Carolinians.