A dashcam is a video camera in a small, handy format. It can be installed in the interior of a car. The dashcam records what is happening on the road. With some models, it is also possible to film the interior of the vehicle at the same time. As a rule, dashcams are mounted on the dashboard or on the windshield.
In everyday life, there are numerous situations in which a dashcam can be an extremely valuable aid. But to what extent can you actually benefit from a dashcam in your car in detail? The numerous advantages are presented in the following article.
Preservation of evidence for insurance claims
The purpose for which a dashcam is most frequently used is undoubtedly to secure evidence in the event of an accident. If there is a road traffic collision, for example, it is often not possible to determine who is at fault for the collision from the statements of the parties involved. However, the exact course of the accident can then be traced through the dashcam recordings.
This is not only a valuable aid for courts and the police, but of course also for the insurance company. The insurance company can use the recordings to understand in detail how the accident occurred. The processing of the claim can often be significantly accelerated in this way.
Many drivers feel much safer when they are on the road with a dashcam. Modern dashcams deliver videos in an impressively high resolution. Among other things, the footage can be played back faster, replayed and slowed down. This makes it possible to carry out a detailed analysis of the course of the accident. Any insurance fraud can also be proven or ruled out.
Optimize your own driving skills
It is perfectly normal for athletes to watch their games again on video afterwards. Reviewing and analyzing your own skills in this way is extremely effective in terms of continuously improving your abilities.
However, a dashcam can also do the same for drivers. If it has a practical 360-degree function, it can even be used to film the inside of the car.
If a particularly risky moment occurs during a journey, it is possible to optimize your own skills and behaviour in traffic in the future. This is not only good for your own safety, but also that of other road users.
Revealing parking bumps
Most drivers will probably have experienced it at some point: Returning from the gym or the supermarket to find that your vehicle is emblazoned with a new scratch that wasn’t there before.
In such a case, it is usually extremely difficult to find out who is responsible for the new blemish or scratch – after all, you can hardly keep an eye on your car around the clock. However, a dashcam is also an ideal solution in this context.
If a 360-degree function is available, the dashcam not only shows what is happening directly in front of the car, but also what is happening all around it. In general, it makes sense to carefully compare the various cameras in terms of their range of functions before making a final purchase decision.
Recording your own adventures
Breathtaking views can often be enjoyed, especially when the car is being driven through unfamiliar territory – for example on a vacation trip.
High-quality dashcams are then able to capture the best moments of each journey for eternity. Impressive screenshots can also be cut out of the video footage afterwards, for example. This makes a dashcam an indispensable companion for an extended road trip.
There are also models on the market that have a live transmission function. The images that the camera is currently recording can be transmitted to Facebook or YouTube almost in real time. Regardless of whether it is a vacation, an off-road adventure or a daring drive on a race track: The experience can be shared with numerous people.
Always keep an eye on the car
As a rule, dashcams have the option of putting them into standby mode. The camera then switches on automatically as soon as vibrations are detected in the car.
If there is an attempt to break into the vehicle or if it is rammed by another road user while parked, the dashcam reliably records the incident. This is of course a great help in the subsequent search for the perpetrator.
Capturing bizarre moments
Videos in which a dashcam captures a sudden shower of shooting stars, for example, are extremely popular on social media. But it doesn’t matter whether it’s a celestial spectacle like this, the discovery of rare animals at the side of the road or bizarre people crossing the road in front of the vehicle: Special events can be preserved with the dashcam.
Incidentally, most dashcams are not only able to record videos: they can also take photos. So if the car happens to be at a particularly beautiful vantage point, the panorama can also be captured in a photo at the touch of a button.
Help for accident victims
A dashcam can not only help its owner, but also other road users. If an accident occurs in the immediate vicinity without the driver being involved, a dashcam can provide valuable assistance. The recorded material can then be sent to the parties involved in the accident. They can then easily reconstruct the course of the accident and the question of guilt is clarified immediately.
In this context, it is practical if the camera’s field of vision is as large as possible. It is therefore essential to pay attention to this when buying. For example, some models are able to film what happens in the lane next to yours.
Usability in court
In Germany, dashcams may only be used for specific occasions and therefore for a short period of time – this rule is stipulated by the GDPR. In order to comply with these legal requirements, many good dashcams film in a continuous loop. They only record accident events.
In May 2018, the Federal Court of Justice ruled that it is also possible to utilize the continuous recording of a dashcam without cause in the context of an accident liability lawsuit. Even if the dashcam owner is actually in breach of the GDPR, the recordings may be considered admissible evidence in civil proceedings.
Nevertheless, users of dashcams should always be aware that they would be violating the right to informational self-determination if they were to publish video recordings in which car license plates and people are not made unrecognizable beforehand.