MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Smile when you feel the need for speed while operating a government vehicle.
Not because you've quenched your insatiable thirst for violating base regulations - but because you've just been caught on camera.
NetworkCar Reader and DriveCam, two devices installed in most government vehicles here, are deterring unsafe driving, said Bill G. Martine, base motor transport's regional operations/maintenance coordinator.
"Driving habits are being monitored," Martine said. "People are taking better care of their vehicles and being more responsible."
The first DriveCam units on government vehicles were installed around November 2002.
"We have 187 units installed, with another 213 units to be installed as needed," Martine said.
The NetworkCar devices were first installed in October 2003.
Approximately 140 units have been installed so far, with another 260 units to be installed in upcoming months, Martine said.
So far, the devices have cost the base more than $680,000.
"DriveCams cost $700 each," said Martine. "NetworkCars cost $500 each, with a Web/cellular service fee of $14 per month for each unit. Both of these devices can be switched from one vehicle to another vehicle as needed."
He says keeping an electronic eye on drivers definitely pays dividends.
"In the past few months we have noticed a significant reduction in speeding vehicles and accident damage," Martine said.
The NetworkCar device connects to the onboard diagnostics port in vehicles manufactured after 1996. It can send information about driving habits even as the vehicle is being driven.
"It allows us to pull info from the vehicle's computer. It then sends this info via cellular phone, along with a global pre-positioning system location, every two minutes that the vehicle is in operation," Martine said.
"The info is made available to us via a private Web site accessible by authorized personnel."
Some of the NetworkCar devices record a wide variety of information, including global position, fleet mapping, odometer readings, miles per gallon, speed alerts and speed history.
The NetworkCar also provides information on vehicle maintenance and troubleshooting, including e-mail service alerts, diagnostic trouble codes, engine performance, emissions systems monitoring and factory recall information.
"All of this information is updated on the Internet every two minutes," Martine said.
Notification stickers are placed on the drivers' door windows so drivers know they're being monitored.
The other monitoring device, DriveCam, is a small digital movie camera that continually records sound and pictures of the inside and outside of the vehicle.
The recording doesn't begin until certain thresholds - for example, high rpm - have been eclipsed.
"It only saves the pictures and sound when the G-force limits have been exceeded," Martine said.
"It saves 15 seconds before and after the G-force trigger. The information can only be retrieved by bringing the vehicle back to our office and (connecting it) to a computer with the proper software for down- loading/viewing."
If data collected indicates a driver - military or civilian - has used the vehicle irresponsibly, he'll be reported to his commanding officer and/or base authorities.
Sgt. Jerry Lewis, a dispatcher with Headquarters and Support Battalion's motor transport section, says Marines are more careful as a result of the oversight.
"The Marines are aware of the cameras. They know they will get in trouble if they're caught," he said.