Following a successful trial of the Lytx DriveCam safety program, Manatee County Emergency Medical Services (MCEMS) in Florida has decided to sign on with Lytx for a full fleet deployment, according to the company.

Manatee County EMS evaluated the DriveCam safety program as a solution to reduce preventable collisions and costs, as well as a driver-training tool that would reinforce driver and public safety as a top priority within the agency. During its three-month trial, MCEMS experienced significant improvements, including:

• 100% reduction in near collisions

• 60% reduction in both frequency and severity of risk

• 58% reduction in cell phone violations

• 65% reduction in following distance violations

• 49% reduction in traffic violations

• 87% coaching effectiveness, which shows drivers are not repeating behaviors for at least 60 days after being coached.

“Safety is in our name — the Department of Public Safety is who we work for — and it’s our job to use every tool we can to provide safety for our staff and those we serve,” said Manatee County EMS Chief Paul DiCicco. “We want to be the safest division in Manatee County, and Lytx has helped us make remarkable steps toward achieving that goal.”

Since implementing the program in April 2018, Manatee County EMS has experienced three separate incidents where video clips from the Lytx DriveCam safety program have led to the exoneration of EMS drivers and uncovering the cause of mystery damages. These include an incident where an EMS driver was thought to be at fault but found to not be and an instance where the event recorder recorded vehicle damage caused by an outside vendor, allowing the agency to receive full compensation for damages.

Chief DiCicco credits the program’s success to management’s non-punitive approach and heavy focus on driver coaching. Since implementing the program, the department has given out numerous driver recognition awards for good driving habits, including collision avoidance. MCEMS has seen its driver training and coaching processes transformed with the use of current, real-life video.

Not only is the DriveCam event recorder installed in each of Manatee County's ambulances and emergency warning-equipped SUVs, but also in each officer’s and supervisor’s vehicle as well.

“I’m not exempt; I have a boss who reviews my clips,” said Chief DiCicco. “A few times I’ve had the urge to pick up my cell phone and look at e-mail, but I know I’ll be held accountable and I rethink it.”

DiCicco continued: “Since adopting Lytx, there’s been a huge improvement in our overall safety culture. Our local government was so encouraged by our pilot that our risk manager is going to recommend we adopt this solution county-wide to all government vehicles.”