Why Pottle’s Transportation was Ready for a Video-Based Safety Program

Founded in 1962, Pottle’s Transportation is a family-owned and operated business with second and third generation family members currently in key management positions. The company provides truckload, logistics, yard management and warehousing services primarily in the eastern United States, with terminals located in Allentown, PA and Bangor, ME.

Pottle’s Transportation elected to employ a video-based program to support and exonerate the company in collision litigation. Without video evidence of an incident, litigation can drag on for months and cost companies millions of dollars.

“After consulting with other commercial trucking companies and industry professionals—and evaluating two systems in a head-to-head pilot program—we chose to adopt the SmartDrive video-based safety solution to better protect and exonerate our drivers.”

Chelsea Pottle Demmons, vice president of Pottle’s Transportation

Why the SmartDrive® Program is the Smart Choice for Pottle’s Transportation

With the SmartDrive system, video can be offloaded and sent to a driver’s mobile phone within minutes of a collision, often exonerating drivers on the spot and allowing them to return to work quickly. After a competitive review of other solutions, Pottle’s Transportation cited the supportive, hands-on customer service provided by SmartDrive and immediate access to video events as decisive factors in choosing the SmartDrive program.

During the pilot, Pottle’s Transportation achieved a 69 percent improvement in its SmartDrive Safety Score, demonstrating a significant reduction in risk. Similarly, Pottle’s Transportation noted savings on vehicle maintenance, since worn tires and other maintenance issues can be detected with video, and addressed before they become larger, more costly problems.

Pottle’s Transportation is committed to improving safety in the trucking industry through active involvement in organizations including American Trucking Associations (ATA), Truckload Carriers Association and Maine Motor Transport Association. Barry Pottle, president and CEO of Pottle’s Transportation is the current second vice chairman of the ATA, and will assume the role of first vice chairman at the ATA Management Conference and Exhibition in October 2017, and the role of chairman the following year.

“As opposed to focusing on punitive action, the SmartDrive program is clearly designed to reward good drivers, as well as offer tailored coaching to those who need it. This was a major factor in our drivers being so accepting of the new program; they understand it’s for their safety and protection. Some drivers have even shared with management that they are more conscious of their driving skills when making certain maneuvers such as wide turns and exiting highways.”

Chelsea Pottle Demmons, vice president of Pottle’s Transportation

Learn More About Video-Based Safety for Your Fleet

Contact Us