Jaime HayNot only do we film pretty much every aspect of our lives with our smartphones, but we also install cameras in our vehicles. Dash cameras or dash cams have become increasingly popular over the last few years, even though they’ve existed for quite some time now.
One of the factors that contributed to the increase in popularity of these small windshield devices is certainly policy brutality that we so evidently see all over the world, but we don’t want to get into that.
What we want to talk to you about today are dash cams, what do you need to know about them, and what are some of the most common misconceptions people have about them. So, without further ado – let’s get right to business!
1. You Can Mount Them Just About Anywhere
The most common misconception people have is that you can mount and install your dash cam just about anywhere in your car. However, that is not the case. The truth is, the location of this device is very important. Not just because you need to get a good video of whatever it is that you’re trying to record, but also in order to avoid getting into legal trouble. First of all, the device must be mounted correctly and in an appropriate position.
The thing is, the location for a dash cam isn’t regulated by any law, so you will have to rely on common sense when it comes to placement. Be aware of your surroundings and the position you’re placing them in. You’ll want to make sure that the camera records all the necessary footage you might need without anything obstructing its view. Otherwise, if you happen to have to go to court with this footage, an opposing attorney or an insurance company will be able to disregard the footage as evidence.
In addition to that, you want to make sure you properly position the device in order not to break the law. Improper positioning of the dash cam could lead to some legal trouble. To be fair, this won’t lead to any serious issues, but you might end up paying a fine you could’ve easily avoided.
Generally speaking, a dash cam must be positioned in a way, so it doesn’t obstruct your view while you’re driving. An ideal position for a dash cam would be behind your rear-view mirror, with cabling running away from the windshield.
2. It Is Perfectly Legal To Mount And Own A Dash Cam
What many people seem not to realize is that dash cams aren’t legal in every part of the world. According to dashcamsaustralia.com.au, while these devices are perfectly legal in most countries, including Australia, that isn’t necessarily the case in every other country in the world.
Even though the main purpose of this device is to protect you and keep you safe, in some countries, it is outright illegal to own and install one of these in your vehicle. For instance, Portugal and Luxembourg are some of the countries in which the use of these devices can get you in legal trouble. In some other countries, like Germany or Belgium, there are some restrictions to be aware of when it comes to these devices, and if you are not aware of them – legal issues could arise.
3. You Can Keep It A Secret
Another thing to keep in mind is that you can’t have anyone riding in your vehicle and not inform them of the presence of the dash cam in your car. This is essential to know if you’re riding a cab or an Uber.
4. You Can Use It While Driving
Even though we don’t really know why you would do it, some people think that it is okay to control and handle your dash cam while you’re driving. However, it is not. If you intend on manually controlling your dash cam, you’ll have to stop the vehicle. Just like with phones or tablets, handling a dash cam while driving is considered reckless and distracting. And, aside from possibly getting you into legal trouble, controlling this device while driving could also cause you to get into an accident.
5. The Footage Is Not Admissible In Court
Some people are led to believe that dash cam footage is not admissible in court. This piece of disinformation has been floating around for quite some time, and even though at some point, in some countries, this might’ve been true – it no longer is.
This is just a blatant lie that many were fed so they wouldn’t end up installing a dash cam, so that insurance companies, police, and others, could possibly get away with something they nowadays can’t.
The truth is – dash cam footage is admissible evidence in the court of law. However, the footage can’t be edited or tampered with in any way if you want it to stand. Also, as we’ve said, the view must be clear and unobstructed if you wish to keep it admissible, so keep that in mind. Apart from that, there shouldn’t be any issues with admitting the dash cam footage as a piece of evidence in way, shape or form.
6. You Need A High-Quality And Expensive Device
While it is true that there are certain benefits that come from owning a high-quality, expensive dash cam that can record high-quality footage – that is not necessary. Even today, you have low-res security cameras installed all around us, and if that’s enough for a regular business – it is good enough for your car, too.
You absolutely don’t need to break the bank while shopping for a gadget like this one. You will be just fine with spending a reasonable amount of money. Also, just because something’s expensive doesn’t necessarily mean that is high-quality. So, don’t get lured into buying an expensive product.
Conclusion
As you can see, even now, when they’re as popular as they ever were, a shroud of mystery and misconception surrounds them. Hopefully, after reading this article, you have a better idea of what’s true and what isn’t.
Hugh Hay
