SmartDrive Systems announced Cassens Transport Company, one of the oldest automotive logistics services company in the United States, joins a growing roster of auto transporters that have deployed the SmartDrive program across its entire fleet of nearly 1,200 trucks.

Cassens selected the SmartDrive solution following a thorough competitive review and head-to-head pilot program. Company leaders cited platform scalability and flexibility, intuitive user interface, and superior customer service and responsiveness as key factors in choosing the SmartDrive system. 

“Cassens Transport—and most auto haulers—are 100% responsible for damage to any vehicles they haul, so safety is of prime importance,” said Joshua Suhre, operations and labor manager at Cassens. “When we started to experience an increase in jury judgements against us when our drivers were not at fault, we knew we had to find a video-based safety solution to prove their innocence. Once we installed the SmartDrive program, we quickly realized that the benefits of video-based safety extend far beyond exonerations, enabling us to minimize losses related to vehicle damage, as well as improve driver habits and reduce the number of actual incidents.”

With a rich history dating back 85 years, Edwardsville, Ill.-based Cassens Transport is dedicated to providing premier automotive logistics services, noting its reliance on, “the best people, best methods and best technology.” The company delivers as many as 10,000 vehicles per day for 11 automobile manufacturers in the U.S. and North America. In addition to exonerating drivers, fleet managers also sought a solution that would help reduce vehicle damage, the bulk of which occurs during loading and unloading. 

During the pilot program, Cassens Transport experienced a 58% reduction in high-risk driving events, including following too close, speeding, lane departures and incomplete stops, contributing to a 61% improvement in the fleet’s SmartDrive safety score. Suhre and his team quickly noted the value of SmartDrive 360, which enables fleets to trigger up to four cameras simultaneously for maximum insight to risk. They also appreciate the benefits of Extended Recording, which captures hard-to-get, low impact incidents to provide additional video context and ensure compliance.