LKQ decreased risky behaviors by 30% in seven months with only a partial implementation of Lytx’s video telematics and video safety technology.
A global provider of alternative aftermarket, specialty salvage, and recycled auto parts, LKQ Corporation has thousands of drivers and vehicles on the roads throughout North America and Europe. Guided by its strong, safety-first culture, the organization focuses on vehicle technology that helps everyone get home to their families. Fleet Safety Manager Chris Foster sat down with us to discuss the rollout of Lytx® technology and the promising results they’ve seen early on.
Lytx: Welcome, Chris. Can you tell us about your role and how long you’ve been using Lytx’s technology?
Chris Foster (CF): I’m the Fleet Safety Manager for North America with LKQ Corporation (LKQ). We’ve been using Lytx for seven months and the implementation is occurring now. But I used Lytx previously, starting back in 2010, so I’m very familiar with the technology.
Lytx: How did you use Lytx in the past, versus currently with LKQ?
CF: My previous company was an over-the-road trucking organization—the vehicles were long-haul with sleeper cabs. The privacy piece was a big deal for the drivers because [the dash camera technology] was so new. These trucks were their homes and suddenly we’re putting cameras in them. We overcame and now cameras are prevalent in the industry. Currently, at LKQ, we want to use the technology to keep our drivers safe and the motoring public safe.
Lytx: Do you have any tips for other fleets on overcoming objections about putting cameras in trucks? What do you think is the primary benefit of Lytx’s technology for safety managers?
CF: Back when I first used Lytx, we dealt with privacy concerns by using lens covers in the sleeper cabs. Though this is still an option that can be utilized, Lytx now also offers privacy settings as well. This has been really beneficial because we’re letting the drivers know that we care about their privacy and take it seriously.
One of the things that keeps me, and others in my role, up at night is understanding who’s behind the wheel and what they’re doing. The camera essentially allows us to have someone in the passenger seat. This reminds the driver not to speed, put down the phone, or pay attention [to a hazard]. It even alerts them that they’re inattentive. These are beneficial technology functions and help us understand how we can coach the driver to improve their behaviors.
Lytx: While LKQ is still in the rollout phase, can you share your initial thoughts about the launch of Lytx devices?
CF: My initial thoughts are, because the technology is prevalent in the industry, drivers are more accepting as long as the communication is there. We remind drivers of what we’re doing, how we’re using the technology, and who has access to the cameras, giving them the opportunity to voice their concerns. We then listen to those concerns and adapt.
Lytx: On LKQ’s website, it says “Our people are our greatest assets.” Please share a little bit more about what that means and how it relates to Lytx technology.
CF: LKQ’s philosophy is that our people are our greatest assets because they are the front lines. Our drivers are out there attracting, maintaining, and retaining customers. Without them, I wouldn’t have a role in the organization. We’ve really made a cultural push to make sure our people feel important and cared for.
The cameras are in place to protect our greatest assets and everyone using the roadways in general. Getting Lytx technology in the vehicle is what’s going to help everyone get home to their families and loved ones.
Lytx: How does Lytx technology play a role in your day-to-day driving operations?
CF: The technology is just coming into our day-to-day reality. Of course, we have GPS and some telematics information. Our drivers make thousands of decisions every day on the roadway. Is that light going to change? Is that car going to move? Where’s my exit? Being able to show them the events that led up to [their decisions] and what we can do to improve [behavior] going forward will be really powerful in changing our safety vision and safety culture at LKQ.
Lytx: What benefits are you seeing from the machine vision and artificial intelligence (MV+AI)† in-cab alerting?
CF: Using the MV+AI from the cameras has really had an impact.
We just started with the coaching model rollout, so without much coaching, a lot of [drivers] have corrected their own behavior over the last seven months. We all have bad habits and [the MV+AI] acts as a reminder for them.
By giving drivers the opportunity to self-correct and identify some habits, we've seen a decrease of 30 percent in [risky] behaviors.
Lytx: Do you have any stories to share about improvements you’ve seen?
CF: Over the last seven months, we’ve been getting coaching models out and starting to track metrics. We gave the team a grace period to get familiar with the cameras and learn how the portal worked. Now, we’re officially starting the coaching phase. But even at this point, we’ve seen a decrease in coachable events by 30 percent. Again, that’s just the drivers coaching themselves.
Our drivers want to be good at their jobs and are professionals-- this is helping them correct their own behaviors without us intervening.
Lytx: When it comes to driver retention, what are some of the biggest challenges your company faces?
CF: Our biggest concern isn’t retaining drivers, because of our culture. We have a very positive, safety-first culture at LKQ. The employees realize how important they are to us. Our biggest problem is the hiring phase—gaining drivers. I know everyone in the industry has a similar issue with getting drivers in the door. But we have not had a problem with keeping them once they’re hired.
Lytx: Can you talk about the perception that [driver safety solutions] are punitive?
CF: One of the concerns most drivers have is that the device will constantly go off in the vehicle. This is why it’s important to make sure the cameras are set up right and you’re looking at the behaviors that you want to correct within your fleet. Don’t try to do too much at once. You can always add behaviors, but [starting with a lot] and then taking some back is hard.
There will be an adjustment period where drivers get used to the cameras and begin to understand what they’re looking for. Remind everyone that there’s no perfect driver and we all have areas of improvement. Again, it’s important to communicate with employees about how the cameras work and how the organization wants to use [the video] to get buy-in.
Lytx: How does Lytx fit into your safety-first culture? Does the technology help reinforce your company values?
CF: Implementing Lytx is not about putting another piece [of hardware] on the vehicle.
We're using this technology to help drive the safety-first mentality that we have within the organization for our drivers.