Dash Cams are growing in popularity but what are the legal advantages and disadvantages

Dashcams are becoming extremely popular with footage of erratic driving and serious crashes going viral all over the internet. Australians are especially getting behind the technology with 57% of Aussies supporting the use of dash cams and the Facebook page, Dash Cam Owners Australia, raking more than 250,000 followers.

Dash cams or dashboard cameras, are installed on the windshield not blocking your vision, and continuously records whatever is in front of the vehicle. There’s no doubt that the popularity will continue to rise with many dash cams costing under $100, and the footage being captured becoming more relevant in court dealings.

Camera footage from dash cams is admissible as evidence in court, so long as the dash cam is not used to record a private activity. The clear advantage of dash cams is being able to easily provide irrefutable evidence of who was at fault during an accident, without having to rely on independent eyewitnesses. This can cut out the ‘he-said-she-said’ scenario which may burden your claim.

Dash cams are especially helpful when faced with those notorious crashes such as a hit and run, or when the dreaded driver fails to leave a note after hitting your vehicle while parked. It’s extremely difficult to argue against video footage however the judge will be the one to determine how much weight should be given to the dash cam evidence. Many motorists have even turned to dash cams as a cheap form of insurance however drivers should not become complacent when on the roads.

A dash cam will only be beneficial to your case if you are not in the wrong, and if there is video evidence of you driving irresponsibly this may work against you. Whether you have a dash cam or not, or are thinking of installing one, it’s certain that dash cam footage will be used more frequently especially for insurance claims.

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