Drivers have been warned they could face hefty fines if they don’t declare they have a dashcam.
The gadget is widely popular in the UK and is seen as a valuable tool for motorists, helping to protect motorists from illegal driving activity and fraudulent charges.
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But now hundreds of thousands of Brits could risk a £1,000 fine if they refuse to admit they have a dashcam and are prompted to say they have insurance. be.
Experts say keeping ownership secret could be considered “non-disclosure of material information” and could even result in claims being denied.
They say around 18% of drivers across the UK have dashcams, putting them at risk of a £1,000 fine and six points on their license.
Experts at MotorMatch say, “Failure to notify your insurance company about your wired dash cam could be considered a non-disclosure of important information.
“This could result in your insurance claim being rejected in the event of an accident, impacting your future premiums.
“Drivers need to understand that they must follow their insurance company’s policies to improve vehicle security and accountability while maintaining coverage effectiveness.”
Experts explained that while many drivers consider dash cams to be a way to protect themselves in a variety of ways, if they are hardwired, they are classified as modifications.
They go on to say: “Failure to install a dashcam can result in a hefty fine of up to £1,000 and three penalty points under Section 30 of the Highways Act, which requires drivers to maintain a full view of the road. Drivers must make sure there are no obstructions on their drive recorders.” Their view is to avoid these penalties.
“We often see drivers thinking that all types of dash cams are treated equally by insurance companies. However, hardwiring changes the vehicle’s electrical system and is considered a modification.
“Operating a dashcam while driving can be tantamount to using a hand-held mobile device, which is a clear breach of section 149 of the Highways Act. This could result in a fine of up to £1,000. and a fine of up to 6 points, highlighting the importance of setting up and activating ‘check your dash cam before you start driving. ”
Graham Conway of Select Van Lease also recently explained this.
“It’s frustrating to think that it might come back to haunt you when you’ve actively done something to protect yourself from an insurance claim or theft, but drivers should be aware of the legalities surrounding dash cams,” he said. We need to do it,” he said.
“Some of the more expensive dash cams on the market are wired directly to the car’s battery, rather than simply plugging into a socket in the passenger compartment.
“Having the wires connected means the dash cam is better protected and can remain switched on even when the engine is off, allowing it to record even after the owner leaves the driver’s seat. You can continue.
“For most insurance companies, plug-in dash cams are considered simple accessories, whereas wired dash cams are considered ‘modifications’ to the vehicle and you must notify your insurance company that they are being installed. . .
Wiring changes the vehicle’s electrical system and is considered a modification.
“Otherwise, if the worst happens in the end, you may not be eligible for an insurance claim, even if there is clear evidence of wrongdoing.”
This can be a problem for the majority of car owners, with the RAC claiming that 2.9 million people nationwide use dashcams.
Drivers were left divided by dashcam footage showing a cyclist running a red light, but who was at fault?
The video was posted on social media by Surrey Police’s Vanguard Road Safety Team and sparked a heated debate.
The video shows four cyclists crossing the stop line on a main road with a red light on.
The group then takes advantage of a stopped oncoming car to turn right onto a side street.
A police tweet read: “VanguardRST stopped four cyclists who were seen running a red light in Esher.
“FPN’s [Fixed Penalty Notices] issued to everyone. ”
More dangerous drivers arrested using drive recorders
Written by Aiya Zhusupova
More motorists are handing over reckless drivers to police, with the proportion of dashcam footage sent to police increasing to 77% in just two years.
The dangerous behavior on the road was spotted by a fellow driver who provided video evidence.
Freedom of information requests from 26 of England and Wales’ 43 local police stations show a sharp increase in dashcam submissions highlighting dangerous driving.
By 2023, an average of 342 dashcam footage will be transmitted to police every day, which equates to 72,000 videos per year.
Since police introduced the Operation Snap portal in 2017, the number of submissions has steadily increased each year.
This online portal was created to allow drivers to immediately report illegal driving to the police with evidence of illegal driving.
The system was created to help police take action against people who put other road users at risk, and so far it has proven successful.
Approximately 70% of dashcam footage sent by motorists resulted in police intervention.
Police issue warning letters, demerit points, prosecutions, fines and even prison sentences to dangerous drivers.
At least 90,000 fines have reportedly been handed out to drivers on patrol.
If data from all police stations were taken into account, the number of fines and fines imposed on drivers would likely be even higher.
According to the FOI, an astonishing 176,000 dashcam evidence depicting incidents of reckless or illegal driving have been submitted over the past three years.
South Yorkshire has seen a 1,882 per cent increase in postings over the past two years, making it one of the leading places in England and Wales for dashcams.
Humberside saw a 205 per cent increase and Hampshire saw a 469 per cent increase.
Warwickshire and Lincolnshire rounded out the top five for dashcams, with increases of 191 per cent and 172 per cent respectively.
A Lincolnshire Police spokesperson said: ‘There is no doubt that video footage of an offense can be extremely helpful in changing driver behaviour.
“We often hear that drivers are taking less risks and are being more patient and courteous because they are afraid of being seen on their dash cam and being prosecuted.
“From a road safety perspective, this change in driving behavior is invaluable in reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.”
An iCompario survey of 2,000 people found that a whopping 75% of Brits think all drivers should be equipped with dashcams to help crack down on driving violations.
More than two-thirds of those who installed cameras claimed to have witnessed and recorded illegal activity on the streets.
One of the most common dash cam captures is staring cheekily at your phone. Almost half of drivers have witnessed another driver using a cell phone while driving.
If distracted by a mobile phone, offenders could be given up to six points on their licence, plus a £200 fine.
Around 30% of drivers reported witnessing other drivers run a red light, which carries a minimum penalty of three points and £100.
Shocking dashcam footage has revealed some of the stupidest drivers on Britain’s roads.
In one amazing video, a lucky driver was caught within a second of two trucks while overtaking on a country road.
Another photo shows an brazen driver overtaking on the wrong side of the carriageway and narrowly missing an oncoming car on the A5 near Oswestry in the Shops.
A third fool, who was fined £600, overtook a bus at a roundabout and almost hit an oncoming car.