Thousands of motorists across Wales and millions across the UK now drive with a dash cam fitted in the front of their car in order to capture incidents of dangerous driving or to cover themselves in the event of being in an accident that wasn’t their fault.
However, according to a warning from experts, you could be at risk of a hefty fine and penalty points if you have installed a dash cam in your vehicle. You can get the latest WalesOnline newsletters e-mailed to you directly for free by signing up here.
Around a quarter of UK drivers now have one of the devices fitted in their car, according to What Car? magazine, and footage is used to prove wrongdoing in an increasing number of the millions of motoring offence cases in England and Wales every year. As a result, installing a dash cam is now seen as a major factor in lowering car insurance premiums.
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But while that could save you money, installing it incorrectly could end up hitting you in the pocket. According to the Highway Code, windscreens and windows “must be kept clean and free from obstructions to vision”. If this part of the code is not adhered to, the driver could be hit with a £200 fine and six penalty points.
With that in mind, car experts at Hippo Leasing have said: “When positioning your dash cam, be sure to place it in a way that does not obstruct your view of the road. Also, if the dash cam hinders your field of vision while driving, the footage recorded may be inadmissible if used in a court case in the eventuality of an incident. So to avoid a fine, fit the dash camera in the centre at the bottom of the windshield or behind the rear view mirror to avoid obstructing your view whilst driving.”
Gavin Hill, manager at Adrian Flux insurance brokers, said: “With the rise in ‘crash for cash’ criminals, there’s never been a better time to install a dash cam in your vehicle. Not only can it provide crucial evidence in the event of an accident, but it can also help to lower your annual premium too. That video footage 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. Any material that helps prove a driver’s innocence if there is a dispute over the cause of a crash is usually well received. However, we would strongly recommend that drivers continue to use conventional in-car cameras to capture their journeys while remembering to always adhere to laws about mobile phone usage while behind the wheel too.”
The advice was shared by Tom Preston, founder of Hippo Leasing, who said: “Having a dash cam in your vehicle is the best way to protect yourself in the event of an accident or an insurance claim. Not only can the footage captured be used to bring premiums down, it can also be used as vital evidence in court. We would recommend motorists be mindful of where they position their dash cam gadget so as not to obstruct their view of the road, and to put it away into the glove compartment when the vehicle is not in use in order to deter thieves.”
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