YOU MAY NOT HAVE THOUGHT about it, but purchasing a dashcam could be the best investment you’ll ever make.
Assuming you’re a safe, conscientious driver (you are, aren’t you?), a dashcam helps protect you, as well as giving you the ammunition to report offences, report incidences of road rage and prove your innocence in the event of a crash where the other driver is to blame.
Prices have come down in recent years, so cost shouldn’t be a factor, and properly positioned, a dashcam won’t restrict visibility.
A dashcam (or dashboard camera) is a compact device that you install in your car, either wired in or plugged in to your 12-volt outlet. It records footage of the road while you are driving. Some people even buy two and install a rear-facing dashcam (or buy a dashcam that records both forwards and behind), so they can record what’s going on behind them.
The benefits of a dashcam
A dashcam can provide vital evidence in the case of a collision or incident, helping determine fault and protect against false claims. Because it is recording all the time, it can capture unexpected events on the road, deter vandalism and theft when parked, or simply record a memorable journey for you to look back on in the future.
New drivers can use dashcam footage to review and improve driving skills and on-road behaviour.
And even though we’re not a nation of “dobbers”, you can use dashcam footage to report instances of dangerous driving or road rage to authorities.
What should you look for when buying?
Video quality should be your priority. Go for a minimum of 1080p resolution and ensure good performance in low light conditions. You can’t prove anything if the vision is murky or indistinct.
A wide-angle lens will allow your camera to capture more of the road, rather than limited views straight ahead.
If you choose a dashcam with GPS functionality, it can prove useful in tracking and recording speed and location.
A loop recording feature means the dashcam will record continuously and you won’t have to empty it every few days.
Parking mode is also well worthwhile because it continues surveillance when your car is stationary, allowing you to record damage to your car while it parked (like being hit by another vehicle, or vandalised).
What should you spend?
Prices vary considerably, ranging from around $50 to more than $750. Choosing a cheaper option can be false economy as you sacrifice vision quality and possibly reliability. One useful tip is that you can often use loyalty points to purchase a dashcam (or subsidise the cost).
Are you allowed to record with a dashcam?
It is perfectly legal to use a dashcam anywhere in Australia without seeking special permission.
Install your dashcam so it doesn’t obstruct your vision when driving.
Dashcam footage collected for personal use will not incur any legal issues, but if you decide to share your footage publicly, there may be privacy issues.
Can dashcam footage be used against you?
In the event of an incident, your dashcam footage may become evidence. Police have the right to seize the footage and if it shows you to have been culpable in that incident, it could be used to prosecute you.
Can dashcam footage be used in court?
Dashcam footage is admissible as evidence in Australian courts. Used alongside witness statements, it can prove vital in proving who was at fault, but the footage must be clear and of good quality.
A dashcam provides great peace of mind and helps make the roads a safer place. However, everyone is still encouraged to drive with care, courtesy and concentration.