Bolt, Kenya’s quickly growing ride-hailing startup, has released a new dash cam app in response to increasing passenger and driver safety concerns. With this clever program, drivers may use their smartphone as a dual-facing dash camera to record images of the road ahead and inside their car.
Bolt anticipates this will mitigate larceny, harassment, and disputes by furnishing transparent and dependable video evidence.
Enhancing driver and rider safety with technology
In Kenya, the ride-hailing community has experienced increased safety concerns as drivers and passengers encounter more road hazards.
Bolt’s General Manager for Rides, Dimmy Kanyankole, said, “Driver partners frequently share that dash cams provide not only enhanced security and peace of mind, but also greater accountability in their trips.”
He noted that Bolt teamed with Driver Technologies to offer the premium software at a 75% discount, making it available nationally because many drivers found the expense of standard dash cams to be a barrier.
The dash cam application operates in the background of the Bolt app, allowing drivers to monitor the recording process without disrupting ride functions.
Video recordings are securely preserved in the cloud, which simplifies the process of providing evidence in the event of disputes or incidents for customers and drivers.
“This empowers drivers with tools that improve safety, support accurate clarification of incidents, and foster greater trust between drivers and passengers,” Kanyankole said.
Building trust and supporting accountability
Over the years, problems like different stories of accidents have made it hard for people to trust Bolt’s promises to make ride-hailing safer and cheaper.
This new technology provides a valuable way to increase faith. Additionally, the recorded video can be used to back insurance claims and police investigations, making everyone safer.
Marcus Newbury, Co-Founder at Driver Technologies, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership: “We are delighted to have partnered with Bolt to help driver partners and passengers feel more secure with a reliable dash cam product that meets their requirements at a discounted rate.”
The dash cam application is not mandatory; however, it is strongly advised that accountability be enhanced throughout Kenya’s vibrant ride-hailing network.
The dash cam software is the latest addition to Bolt’s existing safety tool suite, which includes Rider Verification, pick-up codes, and Trusted Contacts.
Bolt’s decision is indicative of a dedication to ride safety in Kenya’s rapidly expanding ride-hailing market, which is achieved through implementing practical technological innovations and restoring trust between drivers and passengers in this competitive environment.