Everyone should use a dash cam

[Syed117]

There are tons of videos like this on youtube and almost every crash is caused by an idiot behind the wheel.

I got a dash cam recently. Wired directly into the fuse box of my car. It's always recording and also has a motion sensor for when the car is parked. Hopefully I never have to provide footage of an crash, but it's nice to have.

Every single day during my commute I see countless people driving who clearly shouldn't be. There has to be a special place in hell for slow driving in the left lane and people who use their phones while driving. Especially when their cars have bluetooth but they are either too lazy or too stupid to operate it.

Front and rear facing recording systems need to become standard on all cars. I'm sure they will be in 5 years, but dash cams are a good relatively cheap solution for now.

[Blansky]

I have a helmet mounted camera for my motorcycle, but nothing on my car yet.

[Burlington]

I do see more and more of them.

Driving is the most dangerous activity most people will do in their lives, yet not nearly enough drivers give it their full attention.

I suspect you’re right they will become standard fitment in a few more years. The cameras are already in for parking, so just a short step needed.

[Zakalwe]

I bought a dashcam 3 years ago and it paid for itself within a year when a white van man cut into my lane and side-swiped me. He then proceeded to continue on his way as if nothing had happened, which actually demonstrated a benefit of the cam that wasn’t initially obvious. I followed the dude for a minute assuming he was finding somewhere safe to stop, before it dawned on me he wasn’t going to. At this point I started flashing and honking him but tumbleweed. In this scenario, without the cam I’d be tempted to chase the guy and pull up beside him to get him to stop, with the attendant risks. But because I had the cam installed I just laughed it off, smug in the knowledge I could let him think he got away with it.

Naturally when my insurance company contacted his, he denied it and continued to do so even after we sent his side the footage. It took nearly a year to sort out because his insurance company decided to try to delay and frustrate, but in the end they had to cough up, leaving me a couple of grand up compared to if I’d never bought the cam (since it would probably have been cheaper for me to repair my car than take the hit on my insurance premium and loss of NCD).

Every motorist should have one.

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by Burlington

I suspect you’re right they will become standard fitment in a few more years. The cameras are already in for parking, so just a short step needed.

There has to be reason why they are not built-in as standard, since the tech has been available for years.

I have heard - without being able to verify - that manufacturers are reluctant to include tech in the car that could and would be used to incriminate their own customers.

[Chewbacca]

I agree with cams for 2 wheels but in cars -- as mandatory?

Nope.

If you want one, go for it.

Just remember, the cam can also be used against you.

Not guilty for a driving infraction but being sued in civil can bite you hard.

There's already more than enough data being captured on you in a modern car and at light posts and cell towers.

Not to mention the insurance co. scam of monitoring driving to save money. You don't save money when they sell your habits and schedule to others.

Pass, thank you.

[FTX I]

I've been thinking about getting one for my wife's car.

[Syed117]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

Just remember, the cam can also be used against you.

If you are in the wrong, it should be used against you.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Syed117

If you are in the wrong, it should be used against you.

Conjecture much?


Many before you have also said that word 'if'... before saying many other things.

[89Sem]

Originally Posted by Syed117

If you are in the wrong, it should be used against you.

I can tell you right now if I don’t come to a complete stop at a stop sign I’m not going to go home and forward the footage to my local police department.

If someone runs a stop sign and T-bones my car it’s a different story.

[Syed117]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

Conjecture much?


Many before you have also said that word 'if'... before saying many other things.

Accountability exists on both sides.

Originally Posted by 89Sem

I can tell you right now if I don’t come to a complete stop at a stop sign I’m not going to go home and forward the footage to my local police department.

If someone runs a stop sign and T-bones my car it’s a different story.

But if you run a stop sign and t-bone someone, that's fine?


It's depressing that so many are willing to openly admit that they would rather not have a system in place to hold people accountable because they themselves don't want to be held accountable.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

I agree with cams for 2 wheels but in cars -- as mandatory?

Nope.

If you want one, go for it.

Just remember, the cam can also be used against you.

Not guilty for a driving infraction but being sued in civil can bite you hard.

There's already more than enough data being captured on you in a modern car and at light posts and cell towers.

Not to mention the insurance co. scam of monitoring driving to save money. You don't save money when they sell your habits and schedule to others.

Pass, thank you.

Completely agree. I have zero interest.

I drive with a friend every once in a while, he has one. He takes the time to turn it on and off each time.

I have asked what he has ever done with the recordings and the response is "nothing.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Syed117

Accountability exists on both sides.



But if you run a stop sign and t-bone someone, that's fine?


It's depressing that so many are willing to openly admit that they would rather not have a system in place to hold people accountable because they themselves don't want to be held accountable.

OK, so it's both sides.... And who said running a stop was fine?

So, there's no accountability unless we're all on camera? Oh, and on audio? Don't forget the audio, too.

[Blansky]

The legal concept of self incrimination may deter some people.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by beshannon

Completely agree. I have zero interest.

I drive with a friend every once in a while, he has one. He takes the time to turn it on and off each time.

I have asked what he has ever done with the recordings and the response is "nothing.

Exactly.

The second you put the cam in your car you also have to notify occupants.

In some places, you have to have a sticker visible explaining. Commercial vehicle or not.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Syed117

It's depressing that so many are willing to openly admit that they would rather not have a system in place to hold people accountable because they themselves don't want to be held accountable.

How many people have you held "accountable"?

[Burlington]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

There has to be reason why they are not built-in as standard, since the tech has been available for years.

I have heard - without being able to verify - that manufacturers are reluctant to include tech in the car that could and would be used to incriminate their own customers.

Yes true - although phone manufacturers do (albeit indirectly) so its not unprecedented.

Perhaps it would only come as a result of legislation, could be linked into autonomous vehicles for example and sold as a safety feature.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Burlington

Yes true - although phone manufacturers do (albeit indirectly) so its not unprecedented.

Perhaps it would only come as a result of legislation, could be linked into autonomous vehicles for example and sold as a safety feature.

Carriers do. Not the phone manufactures of the phones.

[MSchu]

I put one on my mustang... I never check it though. I am not even sure it works.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by MSchu

I put one on my mustang... I never check it though. I am not even sure it works.

Its a mustang. Doesn't need one. It'll do something.

(cars & coffee mustang vids)

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by Burlington

Perhaps it would only come as a result of legislation, could be linked into autonomous vehicles for example and sold as a safety feature.

I think you may be right about this.

[Pantheon]

There are also courts in certain states that do not recognize dashcam footage as suitable evidence so make sure you check your state laws.


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[RW16610]

After that hit and run in the gym parking lot a few months ago I really want one for my next car. Something good but with a subtle appearennce.

Some of the ones I see look like a mini GPS just hanging from the windshield with wires all over. At least it does the job but certainly worth having, regardless.

[swils8610]

We recently installed them in our company vehicles.


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[214270Explorer]

Recently in inclement weather my dash cam caught an idiot swerving two lanes to pass in front of me to get to a freeway on-ramp. I barely had time to stomp the brakes and must have come within a few inches of a rear end crash.

Had I not had the camera and HIT him, guess who would have been at fault without any video footage or other real witnesses.

He said she said.

Front and rear RECORDING cameras will someday be standard equipment.

[Rock]

My Daughter had a near-death experience on the freeway when an aluminium tressle ('A' frame type) that was unsecured/poorly secured came off a trailer being towed by a Tradie.
The tressle hit the road and bounced open across the road in front of her car.
One of the feet hit her 'A' pillar and the tressle then passed over the roof of her car into the next lane.
One centimetre either way and she was history.
She pulled off the road to collect herself and the Tradie accelerated off into the distance.
By the time she had collected herself there was no sign of him - he knew what had happened and was getting the hell out of there in case he had killed someone.
A dash-cam would have been useful, more so if someone had been killed or injured.

[GB-man]

My brother in law has one and won’t shut up about it. The funny part is he drives like a nut job. He’s in the DC area though. Up in my area the roads aren’t so hectic.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

There has to be reason why they are not built-in as standard, since the tech has been available for years.

I have heard - without being able to verify - that manufacturers are reluctant to include tech in the car that could and would be used to incriminate their own customers.

How many of you (with a relatively new car) have personally hooked up a dealer level scanner to your OBDII port? No audio or video, but all the rest is there.

[dmash]

I never use one in the states but you guys are crazy not to have them in Asia. Literally EVERYONE has them there.

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by pickettt

How many of you (with a relatively new car) have personally hooked up a dealer level scanner to your OBDII port? No audio or video, but all the rest is there.

I take the point. I guess the difference is overt versus covert.

Also, at least here, the cops are not going to start hacking cars to get data to form the basis of a prosecution against a driver who commits a minor traffic offence. However reviewing in-built camera footage on the spot after a "routine" traffic stop? That could happen.