# This Is Why You Need A Dashcam
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [April 12, 2014, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953 "2014-04-12T19:10:51Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@toofs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toofs)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2014, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/1 "2014-04-12T19:10:51Z")
Having [video of your own accident](http://jalopnik.com/border-patrol-accuse-man-of-running-red-in-crash-dashc-1562276258) can be useful in court.
---
### Author:  [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2014, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/2 "2014-04-13T01:28:19Z")
This is the reason I ordered
[this one.](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CXB186Y/ref=oh_details_o01_s01_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1) You can get it new from Amazon for $200.00 (well, I did). Wonder what make of dash cam the driver had in his car? What kind do you have?
---
### Author:  [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2014, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/3 "2014-04-13T01:42:12Z")
> [@toofs](#):
>
> Having [video of your own accident](http://jalopnik.com/border-patrol-accuse-man-of-running-red-in-crash-dashc-1562276258) can be useful in court.
The dashcam caught a very interesting incident here - I agree with the driver that his light was indeed green, but as an experienced driver, when I see two lanes of traffic stopped for a green light, I don’t want to pass them until I know what they’re stopped for - it could easily have been a jaywalking pedestrian, and now you’ve killed someone, instead of just nailing a border patrol van.
And yes, dashcams are a fantastic idea - I have plans to get one for myself.
---
### Author:  [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2014, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/4 "2014-04-13T01:44:04Z")
There’s a reason why they’re everywhere in Russia — or so I understand.
---
### Author:  [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2014, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/5 "2014-04-13T02:41:42Z")
Do keep in mind that if you screw up, the dashcam will record that, too.
---
### Author:  [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2014, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/6 "2014-04-13T03:29:03Z")
> [@Alley\_Dweller](#):
>
> Do keep in mind that if you screw up, the dashcam will record that, too.
But then you keep your mouth shut about it and if the police notice it you request a warrant before turning it over to them.
---
### Author:  [@toofs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toofs)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2014, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/7 "2014-04-13T04:58:47Z")
I have a GT-550WS. Paid about $125 shipped for the camera and a 32gb Sandisk Class 10 micro SD card. When I received it about 4 weeks after placing the order (ships from Singapore if I remember correctly) it took me about 5 minutes to route the cable under the floor matt, tuck it under the weather strip up the A-pillar, then tuck it into the headliner at the top of the windshield. Easy.
Now that I have had this 1080P 30fps kick ass camera for about eight months, I have captured… nothing. No exploding meteors, trains derailing, high speed police chases, nada, zilch, zip.
Next up is 24/7 front and rear cameras **Ducati** style.
---
### Author:  [@Inna\_Minnit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inna_Minnit)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2014, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/8 "2014-04-13T06:11:08Z")
Clearly if you have right of way you should never look to the right or to the left before proceeding through an intersection. Yes, the white van did not have the right of way. But car-cam dude had lots of time and space to see it and avoid being hit. It’s called driving defensively.
---
### Author:  [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2014, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/9 "2014-04-13T08:13:56Z")
> [@toofs](#):
>
> Next up is 24/7 front and rear cameras **Ducati** style.
What dash cam would this be? I’ve only seen one dash cam with a camera in from and one in the rear. Problem with the rear camera is that it needs a power source. Suggestions appreciated.
---
### Author:  [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2014, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/10 "2014-04-13T09:36:23Z")
I liked this comment:
“Obviously it was his speeding that caused the light to appear green. Stupid Doppler shift.”
---
### Author:  [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2014, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/11 "2014-04-13T10:27:23Z")
> [@Alley\_Dweller](#):
>
> Do keep in mind that if you screw up, the dashcam will record that, too.
Can a court compel you to provide your dashcam footage if you do not want to provide it? Would the 5th Amendment come into play?
---
### Author:  [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2014, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/12 "2014-04-13T10:37:25Z")
> [@bienville](#):
>
> Can a court compel you to provide your dashcam footage if you do not want to provide it? Would the 5th Amendment come into play?
Absolutely yes – the 5th Amendment does not cover physical evidence, AFAIK. (And destroying the footage would potentially be Obstruction of Justice, even without any warrant.)
In some jurisdictions, it’s a moving violation to pass stopped vehicles even if the light’s green – there may be pedestrians in the crosswalk, or some other kind of traffic hazard, as this video clearly shows. In any case, even if this driver did nothing legally wrong, he was clearly being careless & unsafe.
> [@Leaper](#):
>
> There’s a reason why they’re everywhere in Russia — or so I understand.
The story I’ve heard from some Russians is that the cameras prevent the police from demanding a bribe and then arresting you anyway.
---
### Author:  [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2014, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/13 "2014-04-13T12:33:24Z")
> [@buddha\_david](#):
>
> Absolutely yes – the 5th Amendment does not cover physical evidence, AFAIK. (And destroying the footage would potentially be Obstruction of Justice, even without any warrant.)
Can obstruction occur by inaction? Say the camera is set to record over previous recorded material each day unless the operator saves the data. Although my continued driving destroys evidence, I’ve done nothing actively to bring this about; I may even claim it was unintentional.
---
### Author:  [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2014, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/14 "2014-04-13T12:43:47Z")
> [@kayaker](#):
>
> Can obstruction occur by inaction? Say the camera is set to record over previous recorded material each day unless the operator saves the data. Although my continued driving destroys evidence, I’ve done nothing actively to bring this about; I may even claim it was unintentional.
Any intentional act with malice aforethought is still a crime. However, the onus would be on the prosecution to prove your “intent” to erase the data, and from your side of the courtroom, “Oops, my bad!” is a perfect valid defense – how are they going to prove otherwise?
Disclaimer: IANAL, but I play one on the Internet. 🙂
---
### Author:  [@Pine\_Fresh\_Scent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pine_Fresh_Scent)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2014, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/15 "2014-04-13T13:16:17Z")
The video review of the camera **Little\_Pig** linked to said the camera can detect rapid deceleration - like stopping short and accidents - and will automatically save those events.
Military bases don’t allow radar detectors. Does anyone know if there’s a ban on dash cams too?
---
### Author:  [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2014, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/16 "2014-04-13T15:11:43Z")
I have watched the seen through several times and I’m not getting the “terrible driver should have been more careful” angle.
Sure, the cars on the left were slowing down, but there weren’t any squealing brakes or sudden jerky maneuvers; there was about 3 seconds of “my, those cars are bunching up a bit” until the van became visible.
Note that there were only 2 cars (in each lane) stopping. If I saw that scenario from my car I would be thinking “waiting for a left turn” (not knowing whether a random intersection allows left turns).
---
### Author:  [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2014, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/17 "2014-04-13T15:55:59Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#):
>
> I have watched the seen through several times and I’m not getting the “terrible driver should have been more careful” angle.
>
> Sure, the cars on the left were slowing down, but there weren’t any squealing brakes or sudden jerky maneuvers; there was about 3 seconds of “my, those cars are bunching up a bit” until the van became visible.
I had an accident quite like this many years ago. What saved my legal ass was nearby pedestrians who volunteered that the light was green before, during and after the crash. The other car was threatening to sue me for running a red light until I brought three witnesses forward.
I was driving a low sports car and went to the right of another car in the left lane, much like this driver. The opposing driver said, “I didn’t see you, so I turned,” and my response was, “If you didn’t see me, then obviously you weren’t looking, because I wasn’t invisible.”
The one thing that this taught me (and this is the only fault I can find with the dashcam driver) is if you see cars slowing or stopping, especially at an intersection, _there might be a good reason_, so extra caution is advised. I don’t know if this philosophy is taught in driver’s ed classes, but it should be.
The converse, from the van driver’s perspective, would be, “if you can’t see around the line of cars to assure a clear passage, extra caution is advised.”
---
### Author:  [@toofs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toofs)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2014, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/18 "2014-04-13T16:34:36Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#):
>
> What dash cam would this be? I’ve only seen one dash cam with a camera in from and one in the rear. Problem with the rear camera is that it needs a power source. Suggestions appreciated.
**Ducati** is a poster here. In another thread about daschcams he mentioned that he runs two separate cameras, one front and one rear, both wired to constantly hot 12V. In other words, 12V not switched by the ignition. Both of his cameras are always on, always recording onto 64GB memory cards 24 hours a day. He has posted about the results. Search by his screen name.
---
### Author:  [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2014, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/19 "2014-04-13T18:09:03Z")
> [@Pine\_Fresh\_Scent](#):
>
> The video review of the camera **Little\_Pig** linked to said the camera can detect rapid deceleration - like stopping short and accidents - and will automatically save those events.
> Military bases don’t allow radar detectors. Does anyone know if there’s a ban on dash cams too?
That sounds like a good idea.
> [@minor7flat5](#):
>
> I have watched the seen through several times and I’m not getting the “terrible driver should have been more careful” angle.
>
> Sure, the cars on the left were slowing down, but there weren’t any squealing brakes or sudden jerky maneuvers; there was about 3 seconds of “my, those cars are bunching up a bit” until the van became visible.
>
> Note that there were only 2 cars (in each lane) stopping. If I saw that scenario from my car I would be thinking “waiting for a left turn” (not knowing whether a random intersection allows left turns).
Looking at the video again, I think the driver with the dashcam is even MORE in the wrong - the two left lanes seem to be straight-through only lanes, which should have alerted him even more to be cautious while passing cars that were stopped for no apparent reason (and yes, this is taught by qualified driving instructors - you don’t just drive through green lights without looking to see if it is clear to do so, regardless of your right-of-way).
I don’t imagine this is unique to Calgary - when I’m driving past a lane of stopped cars, I’m always on the alert for drivers who have decided to stop waiting in line and are coming back out into the lane with cars driving in it. I believe I would not have driven past the stopped cars without wondering what they were stopped for, which would have prompted me to be slowing down and craning around, trying to see what was in front of them.
---
### Author:  [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2014, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/20 "2014-04-13T20:13:09Z")
[Here’s an “almost” with an ambulance.](http://smg.photobucket.com/user/ural/media/videos/POSVsRescue23_zps96513563.mp4.html) My passenger (a cop) had a lengthy opinion to share.
I’ve spared you the details. 😃
[This girl’s hood flipped up.](http://smg.photobucket.com/user/ural/media/videos/HoodUp_zps8894ce13.mp4.html) Second time that day she said.
[Billy Bob lost his.](http://smg.photobucket.com/user/ural/media/videos/hood_zps4db1a141.mp4.html)
Because I have red strobes all around, I’ll stop and help or block traffic when I come across road trouble.
Having cameras just makes sense to protect yourself in so many ways.
\*\*\*YOU \*\*\*ran the light? What camera? 😉
[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953.md?page=2)