If you have been going back and forth about whether to get a dashboard camera (or dash cam), you may have some pros and cons that you are considering. Whether you want a dash cam for safety, security, or simply “just in case,” there are plenty of reasons to want to install a dash cam in your car, truck, or other vehicle.
As you consider your options, weigh the pros and cons. Here are a few things to consider adding to your pros list about why dashboard cams are so essential:
Evidence in Case You Are Involved in An Accident
This is the main reason drivers are getting dash cams for their cars. If you are involved in a car accident and your dash cam is running, you will have solid proof of what exactly happened.
In the past, police and insurance companies would have to rely on the accounts of the witnesses involved (which can be difficult if they were injured), or on eyewitness accounts (if any witnesses were present). Now, if one of the drivers has a dash cam, the footage can be consulted to determine who was at fault and what exactly happened.
If you find yourself in a situation where you were in an accident and have a dash cam, and you need to provide your account to the police, your insurance company, or even a car accident lawyer (if you have consulted one), you can also provide the footage from the dash cam to provide more evidence of what really happened.
Footage of Things You have Witnessed on the Road
Similar to the first point, but slightly different, dash cam footage can also be helpful if you are not involved in a car accident, but witnessed one. For the same reasons mentioned above, if you have your dash cam running and witness an accident, you can also provide this information to the police or parties involved.
Additionally, you may witness other illegal things on the road or things that put other drivers at risk, that you can report using your dash cam footage as evidence. For example, you may witness reckless drivers, road rage incidents, or drunk driving. All of these things, if recorded on your dash cam, can be reported with solid proof.
You may also catch footage of incidents in parking lots or other areas including damage to your car or others, vandalism, and more.
Other Uses for Dash Cams
While the main reasons dash cams are essential are related to footage of accidents or illegal incidents that can be used for safety and also possibly evidence, there are also some positive uses for dash cams, especially if you are into technology and film (like GoPros, etc.).
You can use your dash cam to record road trips that you want to remember, or an especially scenic drive. You can even use some of their built in features (depending on your model) to track things like speed, location, and more.
Overall, a dash cam is generally used to cover yourself in the event of an accident, and can also be useful if you witness an accident or other reckless activity on the road. However, don’t neglect to use a dash cam for positive purposes too, like recording a beautiful road trip.
