The best dash cams give you peace of mind while you're out and about on the road. This is because they act as a second eye in the event of an accident, as they continuously record the open road ahead. They come in all shapes and sizes…so, how do you know what to look for when you buy one? Vanarama's Laura Day reports.
It may have taken a little while for the trend to gather momentum, but dash cams are slowly but surely becoming more and more popular on UK roads. It's easy to understand why: they're relatively cheap, easy to use and their benefits speak for themselves.
In the event of an accident, having one installed could help you prove what ACTUALLY happened, should there be a dispute. Dash cam footage is now accepted and regularly used by both the police and UK courts.
So, having a dash cam fitted could be the difference between you proving that a crash wasn't your fault or not.
But, what should you look for in a dash cam?
TOP TIPS
1. Different types
One of the decisions you'll have to make is whether you want a single camera that just records the road ahead, OR a multiple-lense system (offering both forward-facing and rear windscreen cameras).
2. Recording quality
Make sure you shop around to find a dash cam with high-quality footage. If the image quality isn't good enough, you might not be able to use the footage in the case of an accident, to prove you're not to blame.
3. Dash cam features
The essential ones are:
- GPS – location tracking will allow you to pinpoint your exact location at the time of the crash, the route you've travelled and the speed you were going.
- G-force sensors – dash cams record on a continuous loop, meaning that footage will be recorded over when the SD card is full. Dash cams with G-force sensors automatically save moments of high G-force (during a collision or other impact), protecting these from being overwritten.
- Parking mode – this will allow your dash cam to automatically start recording if it detects a collision or impact while you're parked. This can be useful to see if someone bumps your car while you're not around to witness it.
There are a whole variety of dash cams out there, with prices ranging from as low as £15, up to £200. The dash cam you decide to go for largely depends on how much you want to spend.
But, to help you make that all-important decision, we've listed Amazon's top 5 bestselling dash cams to get you started…
- Nextbase 312GW Full 1080p HD In Car Dash Cam
- Nextbase 512GW 1440p QUAD HD In-Car Dash Camera
- TOGUARD Dual Lens Dash Cam
- Xuanpad S3 Mini Dash Cam
- APEMAN 1080P FHD In Car Dash Cam
Pearls of wisdom
The important thing to remember is that dash cams are there to serve a serious purpose.
Not only do they encourage better driving, but they are a second eye AND some insurance companies will offer you a discount if you have one fitted!
What do you think about dash cams? Have they ever helped you prove your innocence in the event of an accident? Let us know in the comments below. Or, if you have any questions, call us on 01442 838195 – we are always happy to help.
