Why Dash Cams Usage is on The Increase

With over 40 million cars on UK roads, the chances of being involved in some sort of accident increases every year. As a result of growing concerns by drivers, there’s been a massive uptick in the number of dash cams being installed, with a recent study suggesting that one in five ( 17%) drivers currently use a dash cam and a further 30% plan on using one in the near future.

Reasons Your Car Needs a Dash Cam

dash cams usage
Image From Wikimedia Common

Why are they being used?

Dash cams are becoming popular with drivers for a number of reasons. The main one being that the use of a dash cam video following an accident can help with insurance claims. It’s not only the success of an insurance claim that a dash cam can assist with. It’s been shown that drivers with dash cams are around 33% safer behind the wheel.

If having a positive impact on driving wasn’t enough, installing a dash cam can help make car insurance cheaper. With some motorists finding that their insurance decreases by as much as 20%.

Disadvantages of dash cam use

Of course, for every advantage, some motorists have found several disadvantages for owning a dash cam. Being distracted by the dash cam is the main complaint. Because they are positioned on either the windscreen or dashboard, they can create a blind spot for drivers.
In addition, dash cams could be a target for theft. Because dash cams are left in plain sight.

Depending on the model of your dash cam, there is a potential risk to your privacy. Some dash cams are Wi-Fi enabled and there’s a potential for the footage stored on the devices to be hacked. Should you be involved in an accident and your footage is vital evidence, your device could become a target.

How to choose a dash cam?

If you’re looking to buy a dash cam there are a few things you should consider.

Video quality: High Definition (1080p) equipment with nigh vision capabilities and a high-quality lens will offer you the clearest video footage. You might also want to consider a camera with motion detectors which will start capturing video of any approaching threats regardless of whether you’re driving or not.

Connectivity and storage: Choosing a camera with larger memory cards will ensure you’re able to store more video footage before being downloaded. This is particularly useful for businesses and drivers who spent a lot of time on the road. Wi-Fi enabled devices make it easier to download footage.

Ultimately, installing a dash cam helps give you and other drivers peace of mind and can help contribute to safer roads overall.

Jasper has been an enthusiast of the automotive and IT industries since the age of 16. He independently writes on the auto industry's recent happenings.