Dash Cameras In Korea: Are They In Every Car?

In South Korea, dashboard cameras, also known as black boxes, are extremely popular. While it is unclear whether all cars in South Korea have dashcams, it is estimated that the vast majority of car owners use them. Dashcams are used for insurance purposes, as evidence in the event of a crash, and to deter scammers who throw themselves onto cars to claim insurance money. In addition, dashcams are believed to deter hit-and-run drivers and help prevent traffic crimes. The prevalence of dashcams in South Korea may be due to cultural practices, congested roads, and parking issues.

Dashcams are known as black boxes in Korea

In South Korea, dashboard cameras mounted in automobiles are known as "black boxes". They are called this because, like the black box in an aeroplane, they record video and telemetry of the vehicle.

Dashcams have been popular in South Korea for years, with the vast majority of car owners using them. They are used primarily for insurance purposes, as they can be used as evidence in the event of a crash. Insurers offer discounts on monthly premiums to car owners who use them.

In a survey of South Koreans in 2019, over 92% of respondents agreed that dashcams deterred hit-and-run drivers and helped to prevent traffic crimes. Dashcams are also believed to protect drivers from being taken advantage of in the event of an accident. For example, if a person is hit by a car, it is common cultural practice for them to try to get as much money as possible by staying in the hospital for as long as possible, even with minor injuries.

The cameras are also used to protect cars from being damaged by other drivers when they are parked. Parking is scarce in Korea, and designated spots are often very narrow. Dashcams with collision detection can record events when someone hits a parked car.

They are used to prevent insurance scams

In South Korea, dashboard cameras, also known as "black boxes", are extremely popular. They are used to prevent insurance scams, such as scammers throwing themselves onto the windscreens of slow-moving cars to claim insurance money.

The cameras are used as evidence in the event of a crash, and insurers offer discounts on monthly premiums to car owners who use them. As a result, the vast majority of South Korean car owners use dash cams.

The use of dash cams has led to a substantial reduction in the number of car accidents, injuries, and deaths in South Korea. A Korean Transport Institute study found that traffic accidents were reduced by 17.7%, deaths caused by car accidents were reduced by 18.9%, and casualties were lowered by 19.1%.

In addition to preventing insurance scams, dash cams can also help in hit-and-run situations. Some cameras have "parking surveillance" or "parking mode" options, which allow them to run while the car is parked and protect the vehicle from hit-and-run incidents.

The use of dash cams has also spread to other parts of Asia, such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, and China, as well as Europe, with France seeing particularly high sales.

They are also used to prevent hit-and-runs

In South Korea, dashboard cameras, or "black boxes", are widely used to prevent hit-and-run accidents. These cameras act as a tireless eyewitness, monitoring what's happening in front of and behind a vehicle 24/7. This is especially useful in hit-and-run cases, where often there are no witnesses to provide testimony, allowing culprits to go unpunished. With a dashcam, drivers can easily identify the person who hit their car, even if they didn't notice the damage until later.

The use of dashcams to prevent hit-and-runs is not unique to South Korea. In a 2014 article, a French insurance company spokesman stated that there was a "major shift" towards people equipping their cars with dashcams for use after accidents and in case of a hit-and-run. Additionally, dashcam footage can be used to identify and shame reckless drivers by posting videos of their actions online.

The effectiveness of dashcams in preventing hit-and-runs is supported by testimonials and statistics. Many BlackVue customers have shared stories of how their dashcams saved them thousands of dollars in hit-and-run situations by providing crucial evidence such as the license plate, the culprit's face, and the company's name. According to a 2019 survey in South Korea, the vast majority of respondents agreed that dashcams deterred hit-and-run drivers and helped prevent traffic crimes, with over 92% expressing agreement.

Overall, dashcams have proven to be a valuable tool in preventing and resolving hit-and-run accidents, providing drivers with peace of mind and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.

They are popular due to congested roads and illegal parking

In South Korea, dashboard cameras, or "black boxes", are extremely popular. While it is unclear exactly how many cars in South Korea have dash cams, it is estimated that the vast majority of car owners use them.

Dash cams are popular in South Korea due to congested roads and illegal parking. The cameras are primarily used for insurance purposes, as evidence in the event of a crash. They are also used to deter scammers who throw themselves onto the windscreens of slow-moving cars in a bid to claim insurance money. In addition, dash cams can help to prevent hit-and-run drivers from bolting and protect drivers from being taken advantage of in case of accidents.

The popularity of dash cams in South Korea has led to a thriving industry for dash cam manufacturers. There are many well-known brands that produce dash cams specifically for the South Korean market, such as Blackvue, FineVu, Thinkware, and Lukas. The cost of dash cams in South Korea can range from around €130 for a simple front-pointing cam to upwards of €350 for a four-way cam that covers every angle.

In addition to their use in private vehicles, dash cams have also been adopted by commercial fleets. For example, Singapore’s largest taxi firm has installed cameras in all 16,600 of its vehicles to provide evidence after an accident and to encourage prudent driving.

They are manufactured in Korea, China, and Taiwan

Dashboard cameras, also known as dashcams, are manufactured in several countries, including Korea, China, and Taiwan. These three countries, in particular, are major players in the dashcam market, with a variety of companies producing these devices.

In Korea, companies like Pittasoft Co. Ltd., Jaewoncnc, and Thinkware are leading manufacturers of dashcams. Pittasoft, founded in 2007, produces high-definition dashcams with features such as wide-angle lenses, night vision, and high-resolution sensors. Their products cater to both individual drivers and commercial fleet operators, emphasising safety, security, and convenience.

Chinese manufacturers take a different approach, often producing the same models of dashcams with varying internal components. This results in a single camera design, like the GS1000, being sold under multiple brand names. Shenzhen Dome Technology, known for its Carcam and Blackview brands, and HETAI Digital Technology are prominent examples of Chinese dashcam manufacturers.

Taiwanese companies also contribute significantly to the global dashcam supply. Papago, a Taiwanese manufacturer, supplies about 20% of the global market, selling approximately 1 million dashcams annually. Their products are exported to various countries, including China, Japan, the United States, Russia, and Australia. Instant Technology/Abee is another notable Taiwanese manufacturer in the dashcam industry.

The popularity of dashcams has been growing worldwide, and these devices are now sought-after by consumers and commercial enterprises alike. With their ability to provide evidence in the event of accidents, insurance fraud, or police misconduct, dashcams have become an essential tool for road safety and security.

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