What is a dash cam - our guide to this increasingly popular gadget

If you're a driver, then the thought of purchasing a dash cam for your car may have crossed your mind.

But is a dash cam necessary and should you consider fitting one? Well, there are many benefits for drivers if they have one in their car.

For the past few years, dash cams have been popular in the commercial sectors for fleets of vans and lorries, as well as emergency vehicles, though regular drivers often worry that dash cams are too expensive.

However, thanks to big steps in technology, their cost has come down there's been a reduction in size of dash cams.

Below, we look at dash cams, how they work and the benefits of owning one.

What is a dash cam?

A dash cam is a video camera that is mounted on the dashboard or windscreen of a car.

It is generally powered by the vehicle’s 12v system, and it continuously records the view of the road and traffic through the windscreen.

What is dual dash cam?

A dual dash cam records footage from both the front and interior of your car. This type of dash cam will provide extra footage, which can help protect you in the event of an incident.

How does it store footage?

A dash cam will continuously record video footage, either on an internal memory or a removable card, such as an SD card.

However, usually, when the memory becomes full, the camera automatically overwrites the oldest files.

Why should I have a dash cam for my car?

There are many reasons why having a dash cam for your car can be beneficial.

Firstly, and perhaps a bit obviously, dash cams document and record your driving journey, which enables you to record anything that happens on the road.

Because of this, dash cams can help reduce your no claims bonus and insurance premiums.

Having hard evidence on what happened in a crash can protect you from any false claims involving the police.

Bryn Brooker, Head of Road Safety at dash cam maker Nextbase, said: ‘If drivers cannot prove they have acted legally, they will take most if not all responsibility for financial damages and risk prosecution.

‘We recommend drivers protect themselves by installing a dash cam into their vehicles to act as an independent witness.’

Similarly, first-hand evidence in the event of a car accident can prevent you becoming the victim of insurance fraud.

'Crash for cash' is a term used to describe a fraudulent insurance claim for a motor collision. These scams can be anything from paper-based fabrications to physical crashes involving innocent road users.

If you can show the relevant authorities video evidence of an incident, it can help prove your innocence and protect you against any potential fraudsters.

It has also been argued that dash cams can help deter theft. If any would-be robbers see a vehicle with a dash cam fitted, they might think twice about committing a crime, as many dash cams have wireless functionality and GPS monitoring, giving you a clear idea of where your vehicle has been taken and perhaps even video evidence of the thieves.

On a more positive note, if you have a dash cam that records a particularly memorable journey, such as a family road trip, it will be good to have the footage as a nice memory to look back on.

Do I have to tell others that I’m using a dash cam to record?

No. In the UK, if the car is yours and yours alone, and you are not using it for business (such as taxi work), it is legal to use one without notifying anyone else that you’re recording.

How many dash cams are in use in the UK?

Data released in 2021 from insurance company Compare the Market revealed there are approximately 126,247 road accidents in the UK a year, which works out as almost 346 each day.

In turn, this has led to more drivers turning to dash cams to help them have recorded evidence if they are unfortunately involved in a collision.

At present, only 18 percent of UK drivers have a dash cam. According to government figures released in December 2023, there were 41.3 million licenced vehicles in the UK at the end of September 2023. 18 pe rcent of this works out to roughly 7.4 million dash cams on the road.

Where’s the best place to fit it in my car?

When fitting a dash cam into your vehicle, it’s obviously important not to obstruct your forward vision.

The optimal place to fit your dashcam is in the centre of your windscreen, behind the rear-view mirror.

Can I save on insurance by having a dash cam?

Similar to many insurance companies' black-box policy, having a dash cam fitted in your car may cut your car insurance premiums.

In some instances, providers have been known to give discounts, ranging from 10% to 25%, if you use a dash cam because they believe it will make you drive more safely and prevent fraudulent claims.

However, this will be entirely up to a provider’s discretion and having a dash cam doesn’t automatically guarantee a reduction in your insurance policy.

You will not need to tell your insurer if you do decide to fit a dash cam, as it is not considered a vehicle modification.

Can I share my dash cam footage with the police?

Yes, and it’s fairly simple! You can upload your footage to any police force in England and Wales using the National Dash Cam Safety Portal. There have been plans for a Police Scotland portal, but these remain under review.

What sort of offences would be suitable?

You could submit dash cam footage that shows dangerous driving, driving without due care and attention, using a mobile phone, not wearing a seat belt, contravening a red traffic light, contravening solid white lines and other offences where the driver is clearly not in proper control of the vehicle.

Would I need to go to court?

The typical process is that you complete a ‘statement’ when you upload your footage. This involves answering a few pre-formatted questions. Estimates suggest that fewer than two per cent of people submitting dash cam footage have to attend court.

However, if you are not prepared for the possibility of attending court, then you should not submit the footage.

Could the footage recorded on my dash cam be used against me?

Yes. If you’re involved in a collision or are stopped by the police for committing an offence, then officers could seize your dash cam or could require you to present its footage for them to review.

Will a dash cam record while my car is parked?

The good news is that dash cams can still record footage even when your car is off.

In standby mode, cameras can continue recording, which may capture any incidents or suspicious activities while your car is parked.

What is 'parking mode' in a dash cam?

Parking mode monitors your car's surroundings while the car is parked and the engine is turned off.

It automatically begins saving to the micro SD memory card when the external-facing camera detects motion, either visually or physically with its built-in motion detector.

What is a G-Sensor?

A dash cam’s G-Sensor is extremely important when you have been involved in a road collision and keeping the recorded footage safe.

The G-Sensor is an accelerometer that registers values based on the amount of force applied during an impact.

When a pre-set value is reached, this will cause the recorded footage to be protected and moved into a folder that cannot be overwritten by any further footage you record.

What are the disadvantages of having a dash cam?

If the dash cam isn’t fitted or mounted in a correct position, usually on the car’s dashboard or windscreen, it could block a driver’s view or distract them from what’s on the road in front of them.

If a driver’s vision is impaired by the dash cam, it could ultimately lead to an accident.

Where can I buy a dash cam?

There are a wide range of dash cams available to buy from. We have the popular Road Halo dash cams, as well as options that offer three-year warranties.