What's Happening:
Starting June 1, 2023, HOURCAR will begin installing cameras in all vehicles we operate (including Evie Carshare vehicles). The cameras will detect and record crashes, distracted driving, attempted theft and vandalism, and other acts that could cause harm to our drivers and/or other drivers, passengers and pedestrians, as well as damage to vehicles. We have updated our Member Agreement, Member Handbook, and Privacy Policy to reflect these changes.
Why We're Doing This:
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a rise in car crashes, injuries and fatalities. Among other factors, this increase in crashes is linked to changes in traffic patterns and a sharp increase in distracted driving. We’re installing cameras in our vehicles to help keep our members and other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians safe. We also want to prevent damage to our vehicles so that they can remain available for use by our members. The increase in crashes has led to a vehicle availability shortage unprecedented in HOURCAR’s history. The global supply chain is still under stress, and vehicle repairs are taking months to complete due to extended delays on parts orders. This means that damaged vehicles are out of service longer than ever before.
What This Means to You:
The camera will be mounted on the rear-view mirror, with forward (windshield) and cabin-facing lenses that record video (audio is only recorded in the case of an event). The camera includes advanced detection features that can recognize distracted and unsafe driving and will prompt the driver on best practices, including wearing a seat belt, hands-free driving (no cell phones), and no smoking. Each camera also has an on-demand record button that triggers active video and audio recording when pressed by the driver (note that pressing this button does not automatically notify our office or law enforcement, and is not a substitute for calling 911 in case of an emergency). Certain events may also automatically trigger active video and audio recording, such as a crash, vandalism, attempted vehicle theft, etc.
What We Do & Don't Do With the Footage:
Access to the recorded video/audio footage will be limited to a very small number of credentialed and trained HOURCAR employees at the manager or director level. We do not actively monitor trips. We may review select footage in the event of an incident (e.g., crash, hit-and-run, etc.), member claim (e.g., forgotten items, pet hair, smoking in the vehicle, etc.), or in other select circumstances. Recordings aren’t shared with anyone except in extremely limited circumstances (e.g., in response to a court order, search warrant, or subpoena), as described in our Privacy Policy.
Final Notes:
Tampering with or disabling the camera (including covering the lens) will trigger an attempted theft alert and may subject you to a $250 Technology Tampering Fee as described in the Member Handbook.
By using our service on or after June 1, 2023, you are consenting, on your own behalf and on behalf of any passengers who may enter the vehicle, to video and audio recording while using the vehicle. If you don’t agree to these changes, let us know here and we will close your account before June 1, 2023, when the changes take effect.
We appreciate your understanding of these changes as we work hard to provide you with affordable, accessible, and sustainable transportation options. As always, if you have any questions, please each out to us at [email protected].
A limited group of HOURCAR management and directors have access to review the footage. There are no external parties with footage access.
The footage is stored for five days. If a member requests footage to be reviewed (such as for a lost item in the car), it must be requested within 48 hours.
An “event” is when the camera identifies an extreme action, such as a crash, attempted theft, or when a member presses the on-demand record button. If an event is triggered, audio is recorded and saved with the video.
Failure to respond to distracted driving prompts may trigger an event. Distracted driving prompts include not wearing a seatbelt, driving with a cell phone, and smoking. (Imagine the mom voice and facial expression of “how many more times do I have to tell you?”)
The cameras only record audio if an event is triggered. So chat and giggle like you normally would, we don’t want to hear about your newest bargain deal at the re-use store.
All technology installed into HOURCAR and Evie Carshare vehicles is subjected to a $250 Technology Tampering Fee and may also result in permanent suspension of membership. Covering the camera will trigger an attempted vehicle theft alert.