fitting cameras in your car...

newfoundglory

I'm not usually one to complain... but after an experience earlier this week, where someone (woman driver!) nearly drove into the side of my car after deciding it would be easier to drive anti-clockwise around a mini-roundabout because it was the quickest way to go "straight on"... and who even had the cheek to push the horn (implying that I should have given way).... I have decided I want to fit some small cameras to my car.

Ever since I started driving in Feb last year, I have nearly been involved in several (some potentially quite serious) accidents... and was involved in one non-fault accident in the summer where a tailgater drove into the back of my car after failing to stop at a roundabout.

I think for my own sanity and safety that I should fit some cameras to my car. Has anyone done this, and is it legal?

The_Crunchy_Nutter

Sure I've seen something like this on TV - Top Gear possibly...

Try this link: http://www.roadhawk.co.uk/roadhawk-RH-1.htm

verybigchris

It's perfectly legal. A lot of cyclists use them (usually attached to their helmet or handlebars) and I believe some US insurance companies make it a requirement.

You can pick up a cheap one for under £20, like this one

vikingaero

We have these fitted in our Company cars:

http://www.smartwitness.com/product/3/world_s_smallest_professional_vehicle_journey_accident_recorder_with_3_axis_shock_sensor___gps_logging_/1d6c3999489bdde55ac5cce80e26518a

Lum

It's a good idea. I currently use a mobile phone holder with a hole in it for the camera to film through, but have been considering upgrading to a permanent install of some sort.

Be careful on mini roundabouts though. Many people treat them as just a t-junction with altered rights of way. Be sure you know what the other person is going to do before deciding to share that space with them.

The driving test doesn't teach you much about the reality of UK roads, sadly, but you seem to have discovered this already.

As for the tailgater. They are an ever present menace. If you notice you have one and you're coming up to a stop of some sort, brake early and be prepared to come off the brakes (and possibly accelerate) if it looks like they're still going to hit you.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MOTOR-BIKE-MTB-CAR-DASH-DVR-VIDEO-CAM-CAMERA-UK-/180617101419?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item2a0d9e406b

pair of these should do for front mounting and rear mounting.

not illegal.

strider does it alot! though he like to humilliate himself and other by posting on youtube of near misses and stuff .

spiro

FYI most buses in London are fitted with about a dozen covering the outside so they can see any accident the bus is involved in. They also have one covering the dash and the driver to check if the driver was a fault (speeeding, not looking). All perfectly legal.

marlot

If you're involved in so many near accidents then you need to start driving more defensively! I start by assuming that many other drivers on the road aren't paying attention properly.

I learned my defensive driving when I lived somewhere very much less safe than the UK, where hijackers could appear from anywhere. It works well.

Gordon_Hose

Several potentially serious accidents? Where do you drive, Beirut?

Haven't have so much as a sniff of an accident, close call or serious since the late 90's.

lee8040

i used one on a motorbike, dont go for the cheap ones as the footage is rubbish.

Strider590

By all means get one of the ebay camera's, send me a PM if you want any info as I own 3 of them.

Don't mention this on these forums, you'll just get a tonne of abuse.... There are people who see it as an invasion of privacy and will get up on their soap boxes about this.

FYI photography is not illegal in ANY public space, you have the right to capture any images you see fit.
Before any smart ar5e comments on this, a video is nothing more than a series of photo's.