The Pros And Cons Of Using A Dash Cam

The UK is, as famously said by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, a ‘nation of motorists’. While driving is an inherent part of the UK’s infrastructure, there are still some difficult statistics associated with it; for example, more than 130,000 motor vehicle thefts occur in the UK each year on average. Dashcams are a vital instrument in the fight against such statistics, but what are they, and what are their advantages and disadvantages?

What Is A Dashcam?

For the uninitiated, a dashcam is a dash- or window-mounted video recording device, which can be used to record a view of a vehicle’s interior or exterior. The technology has existed for some time now but has become more and more evolved – from bulky closed-circuit-style systems to standalone cameras the size of a matchbox.

These have multiple different potential use cases and can provide benefits to motorists in several key ways. However, there is also more than one potential sting in the tail for the average driver.

Why You Might Need A Dashcam

Dashcams are a valuable modern installation into vehicles of all stripes – public, private, commercial, and personal. For one, dashcams are a powerful tool for winning insurance claims in the event of road traffic accidents or incidents. If you cover yourself with car gap insurance, your dashcam can help you win the full value of your claim, should an accident occur that wasn’t your fault. The presence of a dashcam can also help reduce your conventional car insurance premiums.

In the same way that dashcam footage can apportion blame to third parties in the event of an accident, it can also identify criminals in the process of a car theft or burglary – thus can help assist police with investigations. Finally, dashcams can be a deterrent, particularly where incidences of road rage in other drivers might end in attempted violence against you.

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Potential Demerits To Dashcam Ownership

However, some possible downsides might cause some drivers to pause for thought. While legal in the UK, there are other countries in which the recording of others without permission is illegal – rendering the installation of a dashcam tacitly unlawful. A universal demerit comes in the form of the quality of evidence garnered; not all dashcams are guaranteed to produce objectively ‘readable’ footage, and video evidence in an awkward position can work against your version of events in some circumstances.

While dashcams can be a deterrent in some situations, there is also the possibility that they could incentivise crime. Depending on the brand or form of dashcam you install, you could be demonstrating to would-be burglars that you have money or other expensive items.

Speaking of expense, the final piece of the puzzle is indeed price. Good dashcams are hard to come by below a certain threshold of value, making them potentially prohibitively expensive for some. Thankfully, there is a wide range on the market that can allow all to access the basic functionality of this safety technology.

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