As urban growth makes roadways more congested and car accidents more frequent, drivers–especially commuters and younger drivers–seek technological solutions to add safety and peace of mind. For some, that means high-tech driver assistance systems that autocorrect when the car sways too close to the other lane. For others, it means a dash cam – a once-niche gadget now becoming mainstream.
A survey recently found that 16 percent of American drivers now own dash cams. For many, the dash cam was a reactive purchase, with 39 percent of dash cam owners sharing that they purchased it following a car accident or near accident. One in every five dash cam owners has used cam footage in an insurance claim, and 12 percent have used it in a legal case.
Roughly half of those who have purchased a dash cam (48 percent) say they have less stress while driving than before they installed the cam.
Uses of Dash Cams
In November, a Brooklyn man was charged with staging a car accident after a video showing him backing his vehicle into another went viral. Without the camera footage, the incident might have produced different consequences. Conventionally, when a collision occurs between the front of one vehicle and the rear of another, the driver who sustained front damage is deemed at fault. In this case, however, the driver’s dash cam thwarted the attempted insurance scam.
Dash cam footage of this kind can be used to support or contest insurance claims, and increasingly, dash cam footage is also being admitted to court. Besides avoiding unusual scams like that of the intentionally rear-ended Brooklyn man, drivers use these devices to catch on camera vandals, attempted car thieves, and hit-and-run incidents.
Dashcam use is rising, especially among rideshare drivers and commuters. A recent survey found that millennial and Gen Z drivers are disproportionately likely to own dash cams. Some respondents said they were inspired by popular social media channels that collect and share dash cam footage of accidents and unexpected incidents on the road. Younger drivers, with greater exposure to these videos, were more likely to express concern that similar incidents could happen to them and their vehicles.
What to Look For in a Dash Cam
Dash cams are evolving quickly, and leading devices now offer both front and rear camera coverage. They also offer features beyond just simple video capture. For example, the REDTIGER F77 Starvis Dash Cam provides dual 4K resolution and night vision to ensure that even in the rain, in the dark, or in other low-light environments, footage will be clear and reliable. This dash cam also offers a simple three-step installation; one in five drivers surveyed who did not own a dash cam expressed concern that installation would be difficult.
To address such concerns, today’s dash cams have user-friendly interfaces and quick processes for adding the device to the vehicle. ”Whether you’re a tech-savvy driver or simply someone who appreciates a touch of sophistication, our products are built to offer some of the highest tech for drivers,” a spokesperson for REDTIGER shared.
A Growing Market
Only one in ten drivers surveyed mentioned privacy concerns as a reason for not buying a dash cam – but it is worth checking the legal requirements in your city, as some state and municipal authorities regulate dash cams as surveillance devices. However, with more advanced features available and with more drivers seeking devices that can provide accurate footage when things go wrong on the road, it is likely that the dash cam market will only grow in the seasons ahead.
