Let’s start with the fundamentals to bring you up to speed.
What Is A Dash Cam, Exactly?
A dashboard camera, often known as a dash cam or dashboard camera, is a camera that is put on the dashboard of your car.
A dash cam’s primary function is to serve as a “silent witness” in the case of an accident; the dash cam is meant to meticulously and correctly capture every detail that occurs on the road.
Despite this, you may learn a lot about dash cameras by viewing YouTube’s vast collection of weird Russian dash cam films.
Is the dash cam, however, merely a gadget to enable us shoot ridiculous LOL from-the-road films to share on social media?
Every day, we get a lot of “But I don’t need a dash cam!” messages.
Is a dash cam really necessary? Follow along to find out for yourself!
What’s The Point Of Having One?
Dash cameras, believe it or not, are more handy than you would imagine! While the initial cost may appear high, dash cams have proven to help drivers SAVE money in the long run by preventing hit-and-runs, vehicle accidents, and other incidents.
It’s valuable to have the assurance that your car is being secured by your silent witness.
Vandalism and Theft
Ex-Boyfriend Busted!
The dash cam of one of our customers caught her ex-boyfriend vandalizing her car.
Uber Thief
A two-channel IR dash cam was used to capture the footage.Â
An Uber driver caught a crook taking his highly earned tips.
A Dog Life
Dash cam footage from one of our customers.Â
Their dog is out for a regular walk.
Accidents & Collisions
Multi-Car Accident
Dash cam footage from one of our customers.
On the motorway, there was a multi-vehicle collision.
Bus Goes Offroading
Dash cam footage from one of our customers.Â
A public bus deviates from its route.
Don’t Rush Red Lights
Dash cam footage from one of our customers.Â
I’m attempting to create a yellow glow.
Don’t Text and Drive
Dash cam footage from one of our customers.Â
This is why you should never text while driving.
Funny Occurrences
Oops
A customer’s dash cam recorded footage of a motorcyclist on his regular commute.
Just a Little Stuck
A bunch of cyclists is seen riding along the road.Â
However, something unexpected occurs, which is recorded on the dash cam of this client.
Mother of All Sunsets
Our client took this picture.Â
A stunning sunset.
Cruising Down Sea-to-Sky
A stunning drive taken on a dash cam belonging to a client.
Related: 7 Best RV Dash Cams of 2024
I Am An Excellent Driver Who Has Never Been In An Accident
This is the most popular reason for not purchasing a dash camera.
While you may have a spotless driving record, not everyone on the road is, and accidents do occur.
The dash cam was never designed to be an accident-prevention device, but rather a recording device so that you have an impartial record of what occurred in the event of an accident.
Dash cam video is welcomed by insurance companies and law enforcement personnel because it provides a clear image of what transpired.
Protect yourself from unneeded headache and foolishness – having a dash cam is one of the finest things you can do for you and your car.
The he-said/she-said blame game may begin without you being physically harmed or your car being substantially damaged.
It’s always preferable to have a dash cam and be safe than to have no video proof at all.
I Don’t Drive Often Enough To Warrant A Dash Cam. I Already Have A Vehicle Security System.
It doesn’t imply your car isn’t safe just because it’s off the road.
When you are not in your car, a variety of mishaps may occur, including scratches, dents, hit-and-runs, vandalism, and theft.
It’s aggravating to return home to discover your car scraped or badly damaged, knowing it was in wonderful condition when you left.
Yes, the main premise behind a car alarm system is to prevent criminals and burglars, but we all know that “smash-and-grab” vehicle break-ins are still possible.
We’ve become so accustomed to hearing the neighborhood car alarm go off all night that we’ve completely blocked it out.
Don’t leave yourself wondering; use the dash cam’s parking surveillance functions.
Dash cameras aren’t required to cease recording merely because the ignition is turned off.
These dash cameras are meant to provide you with the peace of mind you need at any time, from the comfort of your own home, utilizing your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Related: How To Install Dash Cam? (Complete Guide)
I Know Well Enough To Never Fall Victim To Insurance Scam.
We’ve all seen the many video footage of drivers causing automobile accidents on purpose or pedestrians actively attempting to get struck by oncoming traffic in order to extort money from the purported victim and insurance companies.
They may be amusing to watch, but they are not amusing if they happen to you.
Scammers have a variety of methods for luring you in one direction or another.
You think you’re safe because you don’t reside in a scam-ridden country? Auto-insurance fraud occurs right here at home, too!
Did you know that the top cities for staged accident frauds are Miami, Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, and Philadelphia?
Allowing fraudsters to take advantage of you for something you haven’t done is not a good idea.
Would Putting A Dash Cam In My Car Cut My Insurance Rates?
Unfortunately, not all auto insurance companies will give you a discount if you have a dash cam installed in your vehicle.
However, a dash cam may have an indirect influence on your insurance prices in a variety of ways:
- A dash cam may record the event and offer crucial information about who was involved, as well as being used to assign blame for an accident. It will be impossible to ascertain who was at blame in an accident without video proof. Your insurance rates may rise as a consequence of this.
- You can date, time, and speed stamp your film using the built-in GPS in your dash cam, and you may be able to use all of that evidence to contest an unjust driving penalty that would otherwise raise your auto insurance price.
- Dash cameras safeguard you against vehicle insurance fraud by allowing you to see what occurred in a specific occurrence. Everyone pays a price for fraud; don’t be left paying for something you didn’t commit.
Only Cops Need Dash Cameras.
- Are you a proud parent who just acquired your child’s driver’s license?
- Is it common for friends and relatives to ask to borrow your car?
- Are you in charge of a fleet and find that additional kilometres are piling up for no obvious reason?
- Do you want to supplement your income by driving for Uber or Lyft?
It’s natural to be worried about your car’s safety and integrity since it’s one of your most important possessions.
Would you feel more at ease as a concerned parent, proud car owner, Uber/Lyft driver, or fleet manager if you could track your vehicle’s whereabouts in real time?
Most dash cameras have built-in GPS and Cloud connection, so they can capture every detail of what happens on the road while also stamping it with the time, date, speed, and direction of travel.
You may even use your smartphone to see what’s going on in real time, at any time and from anywhere.
Parents and fleet managers may combat aggressive driving practices and maintain a trustworthy brand image on the road by having knowledge about driver patterns and actions.
I Already Have A GoPro And A Smartphone,” Says The Narrator
Yes, your GoPro or smartphone may be used as a dash cam.
However, there are a few considerations to consider:
I Can Drive With My Eyes Closed Because My Drive Is So Boring.
You may joke that your commute is so monotonous that you can drive with your eyes closed, but this terrifying feeling is no laughing matter – have you ever had the experience of remembering getting into the vehicle and arriving at your destination, but not remembering what transpired in the interim? Our brains go into auto-pilot mode when we get too comfortable with our routes, and we end up driving without actively orienting ourselves.
It occurs to all drivers, whether they are seasoned or new.
Did you know that certain dash cameras have an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) that may provide auditory warning warnings to minimize possible obstructions such unintended lane departure, front collision, front vehicle departure, and so on? When you’re weary or preoccupied behind the wheel, an audio warning notice may be the only way to help you “snap out of it” and concentrate before anything bad occurs.
Do You Have A Dash Cam For My Motorbike, ATV, Or Motocross? Do You Have A Dash Cam For My Motorcycle, ATV, Or Motocross?
Dealing with other drivers on the road is one of the most difficult aspects of being a motorcycle rider.
Near misses and “Sorry, I didn’t see you!” are commonplace among motorcycle riders.
While having loud pipes saves lives, you also want video proof in the event of an accident.
While practically all dash cameras on the market are meant to be mounted inside a car, there are dash cams developed exclusively for use outside – weatherproof and waterproof to withstand all sorts of weather and road conditions to give bright and clear recordings day or night.
You may confidently claim “I’ve got footage on that!” after mounting these sports dash cameras on your motorbike, ATV, UTV, motocross, speedboat, or even agricultural equipment.
Related: Where To Mount Dash Cam: The Ultimate Guide
All I Need Is Anything To Record Inside My Cab, Uber, Or Lyft Vehicle
Many dash cams contain a cabin camera that captures the inside of the car in addition to a front-facing camera, which is a crucial safety feature for taxi or rideshare drivers (such as Uber and Lyft) to monitor what happens within the vehicle.
These in-cabin dash cameras, often known as IR dash cams, include infrared LEDs that allow them to capture details in dimly lit areas as well as complete darkness.
As a taxi, Uber, or Lyft driver, you never know what condition or sort of individual may board your vehicle.
You can defend yourself against fraudulent allegations that might harm your company’s reputation if you have a video recording.
Related: How To Format SD Card For Dash Cam?
I Don’t Want To Be A Target For Crooks. Is It Okay If I Leave A Dash Cam In My Car?
Many first-time dash cam purchasers are apprehensive that a huge, vivid camera may attract criminals.
Size, shape, and color are the three characteristics to consider.
We can all agree that a tiny camera is more difficult to view, and that anything other than black stands out.
The cheaper dash cameras are pretty big and visible, and they would almost certainly act as a theft magnet.
Dash cameras with an LCD screen are often bigger in size as well.
If you upgrade to a premium dash cam, you’ll find that these cameras are not only of higher quality and provide a wider variety of features, but they’re also considerably smaller.
For example, the BlackVue’s tubular form enables it to be hidden behind the rearview mirror, where criminals would not detect it.
Because adhesive mounts are more compact than suction mounts, they not only don’t block your view of the road, but they also enable your dash cam to sit closer to the windshield.
