Car Camera Benefits: Safety, Security, And Peace Of Mind

Car cameras, also known as dashcams, are small cameras that are mounted on the dashboard or windscreen of a car, and sometimes on the rear window. They record the view through the windscreen and sometimes the rear window, and some can record the interior of the car. Dashcams are useful in the event of an accident or road incident, as they can provide evidence of how an incident occurred. They can also be used to help prevent theft, clear up insurance issues, and fight traffic tickets.

Dash cams can help prevent theft

Dash cams are an effective way to protect your car from theft. They act as a visual deterrent, with many criminals avoiding cars with visible dash cams. In the event of a break-in, dash cams can record footage of the perpetrator, providing valuable evidence for the police. This was evident in a case where a $10 dash cam helped prove a driver was not at fault in a crash, saving them thousands of dollars.

Dash cams with features like Intelligent Parking Mode can detect movement even when the car is turned off, capturing any suspicious activity. This can be invaluable in the event of theft or vandalism. Additionally, some dash cams have a 24-hour parking monitoring feature, which can continuously record any activity around the vehicle, providing added peace of mind.

While some people worry that dash cams may be stolen, most are designed to be discreet and can be mounted behind the rearview mirror, making them less noticeable. In fact, many users report that their dash cams have never been touched, even in multiple break-in incidents.

To further protect your dash cam from theft, consider a model with a non-swivel design, as these are less likely to be tampered with. Additionally, pairing your dash cam with other anti-theft measures, such as a steering wheel lock or a tracking device, can provide an extra layer of security.

Overall, dash cams are a valuable tool in preventing car theft and can provide crucial evidence in the event of a crime. By investing in a quality dash cam and taking some simple precautions, you can significantly enhance the security of your vehicle.

They can be used to fight traffic tickets

Car cameras, or dash cams, can be used to fight traffic tickets. They can provide evidence to support your case and protect you from wrongfully issued tickets.

For example, if you are issued a ticket for speeding, a car camera with a built-in GPS can stamp the speed at which your vehicle was travelling on the video footage. This data can then be used to contest the ticket.

In the case of a ticket for an illegal turn, a car camera can provide footage that proves you did signal when making the turn.

Similarly, a car camera can be used to dispute a ticket for distracted driving or cell phone usage while driving. It can show that you were not holding a phone but perhaps scratching your ear, for instance.

Car cameras can also be used to fight tickets for not wearing a seatbelt.

If you are issued a ticket, you can request a formal hearing and present your case using any evidence you have to support your claim. This could include video footage from your car camera.

They can help clear up insurance issues

A car camera can be a critical aid in the event of an accident. While it won't typically lower your insurance rates, it can help clear up insurance issues and protect you from fraud or false claims.

Having a Record of Your Accident

Dash cams can record video footage of the view through your front windshield or rear window, and some can also record your vehicle's interior and capture audio. In the event of an accident, this footage can speed up the claims process and help determine who was at fault. It can also protect you from being found partially at fault in an accident that wasn't your responsibility.

Fighting Insurance Fraud

Car insurance fraud is a common problem, and dash cams can help reduce the risk of being involved in a staged accident. If someone tries to involve you in a fraudulent claim, dash cam footage could help clear your name and save you thousands of dollars in legal fees and increased insurance premiums.

Monitoring Your Teen's Driving

Adding a teenage driver to your insurance policy can be expensive, as they are considered high-risk motorists. While a dash cam won't directly lower your insurance costs, it can encourage safer driving habits and help you address any issues before an accident occurs.

Acting as a Security Camera

A dash cam can also function as a security camera, capturing incidents that occur while your car is parked, such as theft, vandalism, or damage from falling objects. If your insurance policy includes comprehensive coverage, dash cam footage can provide valuable evidence to support your claim.

Dash cams can aid in solving crimes

Dash cams are becoming increasingly popular in both police and civilian vehicles. They are useful in a variety of ways, including aiding in solving crimes. Here are some of the key ways in which dash cams can help:

Deterring Criminal Activity

Dash cams have been shown to have a de-escalating effect on high-pressure situations. The presence of a camera often changes the behaviour of individuals, who are aware that their actions are being recorded and that they will not be able to fabricate a story later. This can help to reduce violent or belligerent behaviour, and officers can de-escalate situations by informing citizens that the interaction is being recorded.

Improving Conviction Rates

Video evidence from dash cams can be highly effective in court. Juries are often technologically literate and favour solid evidence. Dash cam footage allows them to see the incident for themselves and make a more informed decision. Prosecutors also benefit from dash cam footage, with 93% of those surveyed rating the use of video evidence in court as successful or highly successful.

Reducing Fraudulent Claims

Dash cams can provide clear evidence of an incident, reducing the likelihood of fraudulent claims being made against officers. In many cases, complaints have been withdrawn and officers exonerated once citizens become aware that the encounter was captured on camera. This also helps to reduce the police department's liability and saves time and money that would otherwise be spent fighting false claims.

Training and Development

Dash cam footage can be a valuable tool for training new recruits and veteran officers. It allows departments to demonstrate good and bad police actions, and officers can learn from their mistakes or observe positive behaviour and successful tactics. The ability to slow down or review specific frames of footage can enhance an officer's knowledge and perspective.

Situational Awareness

Dash cams provide an additional set of eyes for police officers, especially when integrated with other car-mounted cameras or systems. For example, an officer driving a cruiser can monitor the interior of the vehicle or a suspect in the back through the use of integrated camera systems. This can be invaluable in terms of situational awareness and evidence gathering.

They can be used to monitor driving habits

Car cameras can be used to monitor driving habits. They can be used to monitor your own driving habits or those of other drivers.

In-car cameras first started appearing in luxury vehicles close to two decades ago and have since become more commonplace. They were initially developed to help drivers keep their eyes on the road and have since evolved to support hands-free automated driving. Now, cameras are increasingly being incorporated into what are known as driver monitoring systems (DMS).

DMS technology can be used to monitor the driving habits of someone else in your car (with their consent, of course), such as an inexperienced driver or an older adult. This can be done by using a dash cam, which is a continuously recording, windshield-mounted device.

Dash cams can also be used to monitor your own driving habits. For example, some in-car camera systems use an infrared camera mounted on the steering column to monitor if the driver is looking away from the road for too long. Similar systems are used to support automated hands-free driving applications.

DMS technology is also being used to develop advanced facial recognition systems that can track a driver's head and eye movements and identify individual drivers. This can be used to monitor driving habits and adjust vehicle settings accordingly. For example, Subaru's DriverFocus feature can recognize up to five drivers and tailor vehicle settings such as seat and side-mirror settings for each.

In addition to monitoring driving habits, DMS technology can also be used to detect the actions and health of occupants, such as detecting a baby left in the back seat or sensing if someone got sick in the car.

Frequently asked questions