They can help give drivers a wide range of extra protections - but if you have or are considering buying a dash cam for your car, there are some things that you should be aware of that can catch some motorists out.
Dash cams are legal on UK roads and you don’t need special permission to use them, but there are still some things that you need to be aware of to avoid getting on the wrong side of the law, the Liverpool Echo reports .
The most important thing is ensuring you position your dash cam correctly - if you don’t, you could be hit with a fine. The Highway Code instructs that windows “must be kept clean and free from obstructions to vision”, and you could fall foul of this rule if your dash cam is deemed to be blocking your view, warn car experts at Hippo Leasing .
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The Highway Code states that any obstructions can’t be more than 40mm into the area swept by the windscreen wiper blades, according to Which?. If your dash cam is found to be positioned unsafely, you could receive six penalty points on your licence or a £200 fine.
Additionally, you are legally obliged to tell others if your car is part of your job, for example you’re a taxi driver, and you have a dash cam in use - there are stickers that you can place in the car to make sure that anyone getting in is aware. If footage is used without the consent of passengers, you could face legal consequences.
It’s also worth noting that dash cam footage can and has been used in court, and police can demand footage as evidence to prosecute you. The memory card from the camera can be seized by authorities if they suspect that an offence has been committed, and many drivers have been caught out by their footage acting as evidence against them.
Finally, if you’re planning to take your car abroad, you should check up on what the laws are in your destination country when it comes to dash cams. Countries such as Austria and Portugal, for example, have a complete ban on dash cams, with repeat offenders in Austria being slapped with five-figure fines according to the RAC.
However, alongside these warnings dash cams can also bring some benefits for drivers. Having a dash cam can even lower your insurance premium, according to insurance provider Adrian Flux .
Manager Gavin Hill says: “Video footage (from a dash cam) can not only help settle a claim quickly and avoid lots of added stress at an already upsetting time. But having a dash cam in the first place can lead to discounts of up to 15% off the cost of your insurance because car insurance companies know how beneficial the technology is for all parties concerned."
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