Calgary Fleet Operator Pairs ELD Compliance With AI Dash Cams to Cut Collisions
Equipment Journal reports that Calgary-based STEP Energy Services has expanded its Motive fleet technology stack from basic ELD compliance to AI-driven dual-facing dash cameras across its roughly 600-truck fleet. The oilfield services company, which runs coiled tubing, fracturing, cementing and fluid pumping operations 24 hours a day across Canada and the US, started with Motive’s ELD system about five years ago to automate hours-of-service tracking, then added Asset Gateways for equipment location and, starting in January, dual-facing AI cameras that flag tailgating, phone use, smoking and seatbelt violations. STEP began its camera rollout with 80 units on logistics trucks. DOT Manager Jayme Borgstrom said the system alerts drivers before flagging management, functioning as a “co-driver” rather than a surveillance tool. STEP has since cut safety events by 18% and held its collision rate to 1.2 per million miles, earning Motive’s Global Innovator Award (Canada). The company’s newly acquired Sanjel Energy Services, which brings a 180-truck fleet already outfitted with Motive cameras, will help extend the program further.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- Pressure-truck, vac-truck and coiled-tubing fleets running lease roads can point to STEP’s 18% drop in safety events and 1.2-per-million-mile collision rate as a benchmark when justifying dash-cam and ELD upgrades to insurers or clients.
- Recorded dual-facing footage gave STEP documented proof of driver conduct in insurance disputes, per Borgstrom, which fleet operators can cite when negotiating premiums or contesting liability claims after a lease-road incident.
- Operators scaling similar systems should plan phased rollouts like STEP’s, starting with high-mileage logistics trucks (STEP’s initial 80-unit deployment) before extending to full fleets, especially during M&A integration when acquired fleets carry mixed camera systems.
