Are Dashcams Worth Buying? Worth The Investment?

What Makes a Dash Cam a Decent Investment?

When stepping into a vehicle, the last thing anybody wants is an accident. The reality is that driving is highly dangerous, and in many countries car accidents are one of the biggest killers.

If you’re lucky enough to survive an accident, then the next hurdle can often be the legal aftermath. With insurance companies placing high stakes on car accidents, from compensation claims to hikes in payments due to dangerous driving, it is essential that you are able to fight your ground should you be involved in a crash.

One of the best ways to protect yourself as a road user is to install a dash cam. With legal disputes over road accidents and confrontations increasingly common, it’s no wonder that the sale of dash cams is steadily on the rise. So what are the key benefits of investing in a dash cam?

A Source of Evidence

A dash cam provides a great way in which to record undisputable first-hand evidence that can support your case in the event of a car accident. Solid video footage is one of the best ways to protect yourself from the nightmare of a legal battle over a road accident. If you find yourself in a situation where you are being blamed for an incident that wasn’t your fault, or if the person to blame is shirking their responsibility then dash cam footage can give you the legal foothold you need to obtain justice.

Acts as a Deterrent

If someone is tempted to take their road rage out on you, then the simple presence of a dash cam can be enough to make them see sense and back down. Knowing that their antics are being recorded, most people are sobered into civility. By reducing the wrath of an aggressive driver, you can protect both yourself and your vehicle from harm.

A Form of Insurance

Much like insurance, the whole point of a dash cam is for it to act as a precaution. Although you hope you will never need it, you can rest assured that you have a safety net in place should you face any predicaments on the road. The footage you record can act to second your word in case any disputes arise.

A Third Eye

In the event of an accident, memories can often be blurry as everything tends to happen so fast. It is not uncommon for those involved to genuinely not know the cause of the crash, so in such cases dash cam footage cam be invaluable in clearing up the situation and ensuring that the guilty party is held to account. In some cases, it is able to prove that external factors caused the accident, allowing both parties to be let off the hook. Car accidents can result in expensive repairs or replacements and potential loss of earnings for those who rely on their vehicle for work. For this reason, it is essential that the relevant insurance provider is pinpointed and contacted swiftly to ensure an efficient resolution.

What to Look For in a Dash Cam

When it comes to purchasing a dash cam, the sheer array of options can be dizzying to say the least. There are certain features that are essential and others that are superfluous, so here’s a breakdown of what you should look for when purchasing a dash cam.

Picture Quality

The main purpose of your dash cam will be to record video as supporting evidence in case of an incident, so the picture quality is paramount when it comes to selecting your device. Blurry, lagging or pixelated footage is no use when you need to pinpoint what is happening in an often chaotic and fast-moving scene, so it is advisable to opt for a camera that can record full HD, or 1080p, to avoid such pitfalls.

Field of View

Similarly to image quality, the field of view is essential when it comes to getting a clear picture of the scene. You should opt for a camera that records at least a 150-degree view and you should ensure that your dash cam is positioned correctly to get a full view of the action outside of your vehicle. It is possible to purchase dual-facing cameras which record both the exterior view and an image of yourself driving. These can be useful in obtaining a full picture of an event, but are not essential.

Mounting

Many dash cams do not actually attach to the dashboard as may be expected, but rather to the windshield using a suction device. These are often better than the sticky mounts used for dashboards, as they are easier to move around without losing traction. It is essential to ensure that your dash cam mount has a firm grip in order to avoid it falling off and distracting you whilst driving.

Storage

An aspect that many people forget when it comes to dash cams is the storage – where will all of the footage be recorded to? Many cameras come equipped with a removable micro SD card, the size of which should be considered in keeping with the length of your average drive or commute.

Typically, 32GB is more than adequate for most users, but for those taking longer journeys it may be best to opt for larger cards, anywhere up to 128GB. It is best to check whether your camera comes with a memory card or whether you need to purchase one separately.

You will also need to regularly clear or offload the footage onto a computer in order to make space for new recordings. Alternatively, most devices will have a setting for loop-recording, where they automatically record over footage when the card becomes full. This is a useful feature, but it means you must be careful to remove the card following an incident to ensure that your footage does not end up getting lost.

Audio

Audio can be a thorny topic, as in some countries recording audio on your dash cam has the ability to get you into trouble with the law. If you do opt for a camera with audio, be sure to check your local rules and regulations.

Usually, if you inform any passengers that audio is being recorded, you will be in the clear, and audio recordings can provide a valuable part of the evidence – particularly in cases where words are exchanged between parties.

A Sound Investment

Dash cams are surprisingly affordable and increasingly available. With so many benefits of installing a dash cam, from protecting your legal rights to securing your safety, a dash cam really is a sound investment for any road user.

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