Dash Cams: An Overview

You may have seen dash cams in action before. Mounted on the dashboard, windscreen or back window of a car, they continuously record footage while the car is in use. Dash cams can be used to capture footage of accidents or other events while driving, and they can also be used to protect drivers from fraudulent claims. Read on to find out more about the advantages and disadvantages of a dash cam.

What Is a Dash Cam?

A dash cam is a small camera that’s usually mounted on the dashboard or windshield of a car. It records everything that happens while you’re driving.

Dash cams come in handy in case of accidents or collisions. They can provide evidence to help prove who was at fault in an accident. Dash cams can also protect you from getting into legal trouble if you are involved in an accident and someone accuses you of being at fault.

Dash cam videos can be timestamped in a way that’s tamper-proof, making them a great source of evidence for any kind of road incident.

Types of Dash Cam

There are three main types: Front-View, Front-and-Back View, and Cabin View. Front-View dash cams capture everything in front of you. Front-and-Back-View dash cams record the view in front and behind your car. Cabin View dash cams provide a bird’s eye view of what’s happened inside your car. These cameras are mainly used in taxis and car services.

Advantages of a Dash Cam

One benefit is that a dash cam can provide concrete evidence in the event of an accident. This can be invaluable when it comes to insurance claims and protecting yourself from legal trouble.

They can also be helpful in case of accusations of reckless driving. If there is footage from the dash cam that proves you were not driving recklessly, these accusations can be easily dismissed.

All types of cameras can act as a deterrent to criminals and a Dashcam has the same effect. A Dashcam can significantly add to your vehicle’s security by acting as a deterrent when it is parked up or left unattended.

Dash cam footage is now accepted by a growing number of insurers as evidence in claims. In some instances, a dash cam can help to reduce insurance premiums.

Also, if you ever break down, a dash cam can act as a GPS tracker which can help the emergency services find you.

Disadvantages of a Dash Cam

Dash Cams are fitted to the windscreen or back window of your car. This means that they have the potential to become a distraction to the driver of the vehicle. It is important to make sure that a dash cam is put in a place that doesn’t obstruct the driver’s view or distract them in any way. If the driver’s view is obstructed by a dash cam, this is dangerous and could cause an accident.

Dash cam footage doesn’t necessarily tell the whole story. While it can be helpful in certain circumstances, it can also offer a very one-sided view. Human witnesses who were present at the time of the incident remain the most important evidence to support an insurance claim.

Your own dash cam footage can be used against you if you’re found to be the driver at fault. And you can’t simply refuse to share the footage should legal action be brought against you; the police are legally allowed to seize your dash cam for its footage.

Are Dash Cams Legal?

Yes, they’re legal on UK roads. You don’t need a licence or any other requirements to use a dash cam. However, you mustn’t install the dash cam where it blocks your view. If your view is impaired when driving, this could be dangerous and could end up leading to an accident. Also, if you have an accident and it’s found that your dash cam distracted you or obscured your vision, you could be blamed for the accident.

If you have a Cabin View camera, you have a legal duty to let passengers know that your business vehicle is fitted with this camera.

Conclusion

A dash cam is a small camera that attaches to your car’s dashboard, windscreen, or back window. It continuously records everything that happens while you’re driving. They can provide evidence in the case of an accident and can protect you in legal disputes. Anyone who is interested in buying a dash cam should do their research to make sure they understand the pro’s and con’s of using a dash cam, and to make sure they are buying a dash cam that is right for them.