A LIMOUSINE company working from Gatwick Airport has tested a new device that captures the moments before and after a road collision.

DriveCam continuously records a journey, discarding the data every 20 seconds. If there is an accident, or the driver swerves or emergency brakes, the system records 10 seconds before and afterwards.

The camera was developed in the US, where it is now standard issue in thousands of commercial vehicles.

DriveCam has been endorsed in the UK by the Institute of Advanced Motorists, which said results in the US, combined with driver training, had cut the frequency and severity of accidents by up to 50% (Fleet NewsNet, June 21).

The camera is mounted behind the vehicle’s rear view mirror and, as well as being useful for resolving culpability issues, can identify dangerous driving.

Anthony Withers Green, sales and marketing director of Tristar Worldwide Chauffeur Services which is testing the camera, said the company would be analysing its trial but safety and corporate liability benefits were already apparent.