Five years ago, no one knew what a dash cam was, but nowadays you can pick them up for less than a meal for two. What exactly are dash cams, and should you be considering one for your own vehicle?
What is a dash cam?
This is a camera that you place on your dashboard. It records everything in front of the car, and in the event of an accident, it can be used as vital evidence of what really happened. Some more advanced cameras also have a backward-facing camera that records anyone who comes into the back of you.
How common are they?
At the start of 2017, it was estimated that there were over 800,000 dash cams in use in the UK. That number is expected to triple by 2022.
How is data collected?
Data is held on a memory card, and users have to wipe and reuse the memory card all the time. This is fine because you will know if you need to keep something, but always have a back-up memory card in case you can’t back the data up immediately. A budget camera with a 32 gb memory card will usually record up to four hours of footage.
Should I get one?
For people with no privacy concerns and those who want to avoid lengthy insurance or criminal investigations, the cameras can be an easy way to prove your innocence in car accidents. For those who also get agitated by bad drivers, they can be a great way to report misdoings on the roads.
In addition to recording accidents and absolving yourself in the case of a collision, dash cams are thought to improve the driving of those in the vehicle. Parents are increasingly choosing to fit their children’s car with one, not only to help in the event of an accident but to encourage safer driving. For the very best models, look for nationwide vehicle accessory installations from a firm such as http://www.vehicle-accessories.net/Driver-Recording-Systems, who can get you up and running in no time
Dash cams are only going to become more common and can certainly make life easier in the case of an accident. With prices going down all the time, this may be the year to get a good deal.