I disagree with Tom Sorrells (CEO of Motor Coach Industries) characterization of DriveCam as only a crash recorder that doesnt do anything to prevent accidents (Bus & Motorcoach News, Sept. 1). At Classic Transportation, we have demonstrated that DriveCam saves lives by preventing accidents.

Classic has achieved a 60 percent reduction in casualty losses since we installed the DriveCam Feedback and Behavior Modification Program. The ability of Classic and other operators who successfully use DriveCam to reduce casualty losses is "the real soul of safety equipment and training" to which Mr. Sorrells is aspiring.

As a member of the TRAX Insurance Captive, Classic is responsible for the first $300,000 of each casualty loss. Over the next several years our reduction in losses will pay us significant dividends, as well as lower future insurance costs. This cost reduction is directly related to improving safety for drivers and passengers.

Ninety-five percent of all collisions involve driver error. DriveCam records bad driving behaviors before they become accidents. Over the years, statistical studies of bad driving behavior, as well as Classics own DriveCam videos, indicate there are approximately 10 near misses for every accident. DriveCam gives Classic the ability to observe these near misses and to use them to counsel and retrain drivers.

Insurance experts have told us for years that you can control frequency but not severity. With DriveCam, motorcoach operators can observe and counsel frequency of near misses instead of waiting for a severe accident to defend.

Classic also believes that when you focus on the frequency of bad driving behaviors you reduce the opportunity for severe loss. Our own drivers tell us they drive more carefully to avoid a DriveCam event.

I shutter to think what our casualty losses would be like if we didnt use DriveCam. Classic operates in one of the most dangerous, litigious and congested driving regions in the United States. The best defense against this extremely difficult environment is to get the utmost out of the DriveCam system. That is why every piece of rolling stock covered by our insurance is equipped with DriveCam. We would never put anything on the road unless the DriveCam camera is installed.

Mr. Sorrells incorrectly implies that a fire suppression system is a better safety investment than DriveCam. I disagree. We have 34 charter coaches. In the last 10 years we have had four coach fires, three of which were in the engine compartment. That equates to three engine fires during roughly 250 bus years of data. The cost of a fire suppression system is about $10,000 per coach.

Conversely, it costs approximately $1,000 per coach for a DriveCam with all the software. If I equipped all of my coaches with fire suppression equipment it would cost me $340,000, compared to spending $34,000 for DriveCam. Considering our 60 percent reduction in casualty losses, Classic has gotten both a terrific return on its investment and an improved safety record with DriveCam.

Perhaps one day soon coach manufacturers will realize that installing a DriveCam in every coach they sell is clearly in the best interest of all operators and the traveling public.

Bill Schoolman, President
Classic Transportation
Bohemia, N.Y.