Dashcam legality

[c63chris]

Given all the fuss we have had for the last 3yrs about EU laws and our need to take back control it’s worth remembering that laws can vary considerably across the EU. Driving abroad with your Dashcam can get you a €10k fine

Using your dash cam abroad: driving in Europe – Which? News

Purpose of the post to share big difference in the law on dashcam not to start a brexit/remain debate!

 

[ph47mf]

in my opinion dashcams should be built into new cars, make it as normal as having a rear view mirror, perhaps that will help bring the insurance premium down a bit for everyone, I can't really think of a downside?

 

[c63chris]

in my opinion dashcams should be built into new cars, make it as normal as having a rear view mirror, perhaps that will help bring the insurance premium down a bit for everyone, I can't really think of a downside?

Yes don’t understand how some countries make them illegal. Get that they shouldn’t distract or obstruct vision but given we have cameras and cctv everywhere why make a dashcam illegal?

 

[AltonAnt]

Yes don’t understand how some countries make them illegal. Get that they shouldn’t distract or obstruct vision but given we have cameras and cctv everywhere why make a dashcam illegal?

Some countries take data protection more seriously than others and you have no right to film in certain circumstances with a dashcam same as with a mobile phone.
We in the UK are still bound by GDPR so if you capture personal information you require a legal basis to do so.
This will most likely be legitimate interest.

Legitimate interests: the processing is necessary for your legitimate interests or the legitimate interests of a third party, unless there is a good reason to protect the individual’s personal data which overrides those legitimate interests.

As mentioned in some of the other EU countries listed we should not be posting videos on Youtube etc of strangers faces without consent so they should be blurred out and video of evidence should only be provided to the police or other official body.

All other CCTV operators have to comply to the GDPR.
The police here being undermanned and overstretched are unlikely to come after you though as they are usually more than happy to have some hard evidence that makes their job easier.

 

[Bellow]

in my opinion dashcams should be built into new cars, make it as normal as having a rear view mirror, perhaps that will help bring the insurance premium down a bit for everyone, I can't really think of a downside?

Why should they be built into new cars?
On what basis do you imagine insurance premiums will drop?

 

[tangey]

I'm not the OP, but I see how a dashcam could, for example, vastly reduce those claims were a car gets loaded up with guys, and then forces a collision by slamming on the brakes, so they hit from behind and all claim whiplash. I imagine there are many other manufactured incidences that could similarly be eliminated/reduced.

Depends of course how much those type of fraudulent claims account compared to all claims, but one assumes it's not insignificant and that premiums might reduce if claims reduce.

 

[zipdip]

Yes many brits do not understand that other countries have strict rules where you can photograph,I used to drive all over europe many years ago,and the one that stands out for me was when I was a passenger in a coach crossing from Italy to Switzeland,in those days video cameras were big and a guy was up and filming,I suggested he stop as it was the border but he blanked me,and so a Italian border cop got on took the camera and threw it down the mountainside.

 

[V6GBJ]

A friend of mine was the victim of a Crash for Cash stunt costing £3K worth of damage to his GLC. A "shed" joined the M25 at junction A overtook him when signalling to exit at junction B, pulled into his lane, braked and caused a rear end shunt (as far as the insurance co. was concerned). My friend is convinced that dash cam footage would have avoided a claim on his insurance. The "shed" was written off and the owner collected.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

A friend of mine was the victim of a Crash for Cash stunt costing £3K worth of damage to his GLC. A "shed" joined the M25 at junction A overtook him when signalling to exit at junction B, pulled into his lane, braked and caused a rear end shunt (as far as the insurance co. was concerned). My friend is convinced that dash cam footage would have avoided a claim on his insurance. The "shed" was written off and the owner collected...

...A shed?

 

[merc85]

...A shed?

 

[ph47mf]

Why should they be built into new cars?
On what basis do you imagine insurance premiums will drop?

i'm guessing you don't use a dashcam hence why you don't know the benefit of having one?

I'll give you a true story, my driver was swiped off the motorway by a stupid woman, after the crash she claimed my driver was at fault and put a personal injury claim in for £20k, my insurance (company insurance) was ready to pay out until a witness sent in a dashcam footage showing us what really happened. Imagine if all cars had it built it, that woman wouldn't be ballsy enough to try it on and as others have mentioned it will probably reduce crash for cash claims and in turn reduce overall premium.

 

[Rashman]

Police in UK actually have a website where you can upload footage of idiot/ dangerous drivers.

So I’m entirely sure why some countries have an issue with them.

Radar detectors, fine, I get why they don’t want you to have those, but I can’t see an issue with having a dash cam in your car.

 

[c63chris]

Police in UK actually have a website where you can upload footage of idiot/ dangerous drivers.

So I’m entirely sure why some countries have an issue with them.

Radar detectors, fine, I get why they don’t want you to have those, but I can’t see an issue with having a dash cam in your car.

Yes and it’s hugely useful. Had someone threatening to beat me up etc after his GF pulled out in front of me on a roundabout. He changed his tune when I suggested I just send the whole dashcam footage including threats to the police to see what they thought!

 

[Rashman]

Yes and it’s hugely useful. Had someone threatening to beat me up etc after his GF pulled out in front of me on a roundabout. He changed his tune when I suggested I just send the whole dashcam footage including threats to the police to see what they thought!

Yes, they can have positive effects.
They can also be useful for providing evidence if you were to witness something.

They could also land someone into hot water if they were to ever be stopped for being silly, so they can be a double-edged sword.

Worth considering what sort of driver you are before installing one

 

[roviw1]

I have them in four vehicles and have been using them for about 9 years now. I was rear-ended on the motorway several years ago, the other person admitted fault so it was not needed but my dashcam footage did show that I was already stationary and several metres from the car ahead of me at the time of impact. It is peace of mind just in case it is needed.

 

[c63chris]

Yes, they can have positive effects.
They can also be useful for providing evidence if you were to witness something.

They could also land someone into hot water if they were to ever be stopped for being silly, so they can be a double-edged sword.

Worth considering what sort of driver you are before installing one

There’s a very easily accessible button that turns it off

 

[andym2]

It's also worth noting that in some countries you can be done for possessing a dash cam, so even having one turned off in the glove box could be a problem.

 

[grober]

So- summarising from the Which report- it would appear dashcams are banned in Austria, Luxemburg and Portugal. In many others their use is without restriction and in quite a few their use is subject to conditions. I would interpret that as some countries have attempted to address the issue of their use resulting in some form of legislation- while the others haven't?

 

[Bellow]

i'm guessing you don't use a dashcam hence why you don't know the benefit of having one?

Or I refuse to cooperate in making Britain a surveillance state because there is no guarantee that we will forever have a benign government.

I'll give you a true story, my driver was swiped off the motorway by a stupid woman, after the crash she claimed my driver was at fault and put a personal injury claim in for £20k, my insurance (company insurance) was ready to pay out until a witness sent in a dashcam footage showing us what really happened. Imagine if all cars had it built it, that woman wouldn't be ballsy enough to try it on and as others have mentioned it will probably reduce crash for cash claims and in turn reduce overall premium.

I'll give you a true story of a maniac with a grudge who overtook me then brake tested me. I had my wits about me and drove around him. No camera required but my eyes.
However bad being brake tested is, there's still no excuse for being caught out by it. Either you were driving too close or could have used the lane to the right the brake tester was previously in to avoid a collision.

 

[markjay]

I have seen some very aggressive behaviour from cyclists and bikers wearing helmet cameras.

I can't help but think that the presence of a camera on their head makes them more confrontational and aggressive.

Firstly they feel that the camera protects them and makes them immune, if not invincible, and the result is that it gives them courage and makes them fearless.

Then, in the process they are obtaining what they think is great footage for their YouTube channel or Facebook page.

So I don't think that cameras are not really a silent witness... instead they are far from being passive and they change the way that drivers interact with other road users.

Good or bad? I don't know, but it's the new reality and I think that cameras are here to stay.