The dash cam is a hi-tech gadget that has become a must-have item in a car writes Suzanne Keane
A dash cam is an onboard camera that you can either attach to your windscreen or dashboard. They record the road ahead and see what you see.
Their use has become more common in the past few years with many transport companies using them as video evidence in accidents – especially in cases of insurance fraud. If you’re involved in an accident or are a witness your video evidence can support your case or prove who is at fault.
However, if you capture any dodgy driving on Irish roads you’re better off not posting it online as you could leave yourself open to legal action – contact Traffic Watch on 1890 205 805 or your local Garda station to report the incident and let them know you have video footage as evidence.
For security when you’re parked certain cameras also have motion sensors that will detect movement even if you’re not in your car – ideal in car park hit-and-run cases! Again, it’s not recommended to use the recorded videos for anything other than protecting yourself and your property as improper use could be in breach of data protection laws!
If you’re going on holidays it’s important to remember that their use is banned in certain countries so check the facts before you travel. There are also privacy laws regarding the use of dash cams in Australia and Poland although their use is very common in Russia – have a look at some shocking videos of bad driving on youtube!
When choosing a dash cam it’s important to look at video quality (HD is best), Battery life and type of storage – ideally it will take an SD card that you can swap when necessary. It’s also important not to operate the camera while driving – set it up before you leave home and make sure it’s not obstructing your view!
Suzanne Keane
5th January, 2014
