In car dash cameras
You’re behind the wheel of your family saloon, quietly minding your own business, when a souped up sports car suddenly flies past and cuts you up just as you reach the motorway exit. Seconds later it’s gone, with nothing to show but a trail of smoke.
Not so long ago there was no getting back at reckless drivers like this guy (unless you employed the tactics of the driver in the photo!) but in-car cameras now offer the chance to bring them to count.
An absolute given in countries like Russia, Japan and the USA, only 3% of British drivers currently own a dash cam, but the trend is on the increase. A recent RAC survey found that 4 out of 10 car owners would consider buying one, and that a fifth of current dash cams are used to guard against ‘cash for crash’ scams.
False insurance claims are growing, and one common way of faking it is to set up a collision and claim the crash was the fault of the innocent party. If you’re the victim in a case like this, capturing the event on camera could help prove your innocence and bring the bad guys to justice.
Good footage from a dashboard camera is admissible evidence in court, so if you are involved in a genuine accident it can offer proof of what really took place. You can also use it to protect your vehicle whilst parked. The camera will come to life when damage is
66
detected. Dashboard
cameras, which are
mounted on the windscreen, record onto memory cards whilst the ignition
usually is
on.
Recording is constant, which means that once the card is full, old files are overwritten. Recording time depends on the size of memory card and the bit rate of the camera, but can run into several hours.
Installation is by suction or adhesive pads. Cameras are most often wired into the cigarette lighter, but can also be hard-wired directly into the car battery - the only way if you want a model with parking mode.
When choosing an in-car camera, first consider the size. Smaller models are more discreet, and black is the best low-profile colour. Next, look for one with a decent video resolution. The current standard is 1080p, which will pick out number plates and other details - essential if required as evidence. Check what the night video quality is like, and decide if you want a model that can save footage you might want to keep. Other useful options include date and time stamps, and dual or multiple channels which record what’s behind as well as what’s in front of you.
Finally, don’t forget that dash cams can be fun! They are a great way to capture details of memorable trips, and film the more unusual sights we come across from time to time!
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