On the way home from work today, I had to do something I never thought I would ever have to do. I had to beep at a fellow Superb driver for trying to take the front off my car on a slip road. Cant believe the dosy woman left it so late to leave the motorway. Luckly I had reduced speed a bit already as I was on the slip road.

I've included the footage from my in car camera, and looking back at it I didn't realise how close they were and I'm dam sure they didnt. This was the exact reason for me geting the camera.

What an arse! I'm no copper but I'd suggest that is a clear case of driving without due care and attention.

There's always going to be one I suppose

Edited 26 April, 201313 yr by robdan

On the way home from work today, I had to do something I never thought I would ever have to do. I had to beep at a fellow Superb driver for trying to take the front off my car on a slip road. Cant believe the dosy woman left it so late to leave the motorway. Luckly I had reduced speed a bit already as I was on the slip road.

I've included the footage from my in car camera, and looking back at it I didn't realise how close they were and I'm dam sure they didnt. This was the exact reason for me geting the camera.

Can you tell us a bit more about the camera set up? or has it been discussed in another thread/link? Thanks.

Can you tell us a bit more about the camera set up? or has it been discussed in another thread/link? Thanks.

I have a Blackvue DR400g HD that I bought of eBay for just over £100. It is mounted behind the rear view mirror with the cable running across the front of the headlining and down the A pillar. I am still thinking about wiring it in permently to free up my power outlet. The camera is neat and gives great video footage. The picture doesn't do it justice. I have video to upload, I just dont know how to!!

Did loads of research and looked at numerous videos online as I wanted a camera that could make out registation plates. The only time i've found the Blackvue to struggle is at firstl light or dusk.

Great. Thanks. I will have a look.

This is exactly the same junction but was cut up even worse this time. The footage from my Blackvue is being used as evidence as the driver is being prosecuted. The traffic officer was really impressed with the footage and appalled at the standard of driving. Especially as he could tell they were committed as the brake like don't come on till the end of the slip road. Needless to say I have a hell of a lot of stone chips across the front of my car now!

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151902433977142&l=2351611781008967091

Edited 26 March, 201412 yr by RichieJ

I've got the dual channel DR550HW fitted after a bump a while ago where I couldn't prove the other driver wandered out of his lane and clipped my car. Ended up being a 50/50 

 

There is plenty of room in the 3T fuse box to permanently install a 12 volt socket for the camera - which is what I did. I also installed a power magic pro near the OBD socket so I can control when the camera stays on or not. It also shuts it down if the voltage drops below a set threshold.  

 

I've run the cable for the rear camera through the car but won't fit it until my tints are done. 

 

I think dash cams are the way to go, given the increase in 'crash for cash' asshattery that we are seeing. I've got a single channel 550 going in SWMBO's vRS shortly. I've recorded tons of crap driving and several near misses, one of which was a VW T5 tyre carcass flying off within a few feet of my car on the M23 one morning   

 

I've got the dual channel DR550HW fitted after a bump a while ago where I couldn't prove the other driver wandered out of his lane and clipped my car. Ended up being a 50/50 

Will you put anything on your car warning people that they are being videoed by the rear facing camera as I am very keen on moving to this setup, but conscious that people could deem it intrusive or unlawful. Seen a few lorries warnng that "you are being videoed" and wondered why they state that.

Edited 26 March, 201412 yr by ddyer79

As far as I'm aware, using a dash cam in a private vehicle is perfectly legal as the UK highways are a public place. This could only become an issue if you park up and allow your camera to film someone's house or property.

A little more here: http://www.motorists-lawyer-kent.co.uk/resources/filer.rhtm/754905/dashcam+-+the+new+must-have+accessory.pdf

I've been using dash cams for about 18 months now and no one have ever said anything. Even members of our esteemed police forces have seen at it and said nothing.

 

Will you put anything on your car warning people that they are being videoed by the rear facing camera as I am very keen on moving to this setup, but conscious that people could deem it intrusive or unlawful. Seen a few lorries warnng that "you are being videoed" and wondered why they state that.

It must be lawful as the video footage in my earlier post is being used as evidence to prosecute the driver of the Lotus. The traffic police officer was really grateful for the video. He said he evens runs one in his private car, albeit not to the same standard as the Blackvue. Mentioned nothing of the fact that I needed to tell them they were being filmed. I did though once I caught up with them at traffic lights and got out and gave them an earful.     

The fact that you have had two examples of appalling and dangerous driving at the same junction completely justifies the use of these cams.  If it makes some of these people think twice in future about their driving (and the increased risk of being prosecuted) it might actually save some lives hopefully.  I'm considering one myself too.

This is exactly the same junction but was cut up even worse this time. The footage from my Blackvue is being used as evidence as the driver is being prosecuted. The traffic officer was really impressed with the footage and appalled at the standard of driving. Especially as he could tell they were committed as the brake like don't come on till the end of the slip road. Needless to say I have a hell of a lot of stone chips across the front of my car now!

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151902433977142&l=2351611781008967091

WOW! Special.

The other day I was cruising (meaning using cruise control) on motorway at 130 km/h and suddenly the truck decided to overtake another truck.

I managed to stop just in time (with the things frying away from back seat), but I've noticed that due to cruise control I have lost some time while moving foot from the floor on to the brake. It is not the first time I notice that cruise control is a bit dangerous thing in traffic.

You think that's dangerous? How about adding Adaptive Cruise to the mix, including "brake to stop", so the full automatic cruise experience...I have a co-worker who happily turns to you and chats away while everybody in front of him is panicstopping...he relies 100% on the system to save him...his feet are nowhere near the controls...

 

Another thing, the way the cars are setup + our mindset = while in cruise foot is either on the footrest or covering the accelerator...you can train yourself to cover the brakepedal instead, but it's not easy. When I'm on my motorcycle I always cover the front brake, but in the car it's not so easy.

 

Regarding dashcams, I had a Blackvue for a while, and the image quality is excellent. However, I read bad things about the unit's life expectancy after spending countless hours behind the windshield, in the sun...too many units develop faults (lines in the image, or purple colours). Also when I had one, your only option was to get one from Korea, so upgrading the FW or even understanding the SW was a bit tricky - I understand now there is support available though.

 

I sold the 400G on because I didn't trust it to keep working....Thought about re-buying a newer 500G version, but it's alot of money...

Edited 27 March, 201412 yr by Too Tall

 

Will you put anything on your car warning people that they are being videoed by the rear facing camera as I am very keen on moving to this setup, but conscious that people could deem it intrusive or unlawful. Seen a few lorries warnng that "you are being videoed" and wondered why they state that.

Sent an e-mail to Blackvue to check on whether they have any info on this position and got a prompt response saying that there is nothing wrong with a DASHCAM, but the lawyers brief was that no incriminating video/images should be uploaded to the internet as it may damage the prosecution case - cannot get fair hearing etc., (interesting!). Still does not answer my question about the rear facing camera about recording people rather than their actions though, but I assume that following the guidance given as long as the video is not published no one can complain.

I saw probably on fifth gear they tested automatic braking systems. 4 cars out of 5 hit the target :-)

I'd rather trust my muscle memory :-)

Could have done with one of those cameras yesterday, myself and mate are lucky to be here. We were heading down a country road in Doncaster, no road markings but wide enough for 3 vehicles when this Land Rover with a Trailer (so plenty of weight) came round a bend a few hundred metres in front of us, he was well over on our side and was giving it some, he made no effort what so ever to move back to his side, there was banking and a small verge to our left, I actually saw the impact coming in my head and remember thinking this is going to hurt, but by some miracle I got through the gap he left us, if I hadn't moved over at the last second I reckon he would have hit me about 30-40% head on without slowing. I don't drink but I could have done with few Whiskey's after that!.

I did think afterwards that maybe I should have chased him and phoned the Police in case it was nicked or he was drunk but without the evidence there probably wasn't much point and there was no time to get a Reg #.

Are there any cameras sub-£100 that are easy to fit (and I mean really easy to fit), and that will stay on after ignition off under their own battery power until the battery dies?  I'm thinking that they might be worth the cost in the event that someone bumps the car whilst it is parked up.

 

Having said that, the downside is that it would make me even more of a miserable git - I would probably be inundating the rozzers with footage of people driving with their mobile phones.

The amount of crap driving I see on a daily basis more than justifies the camera in my car - and the associated cost.

Yesterday for example, a little ***** in a Mini decides to do a quick right hand turn across me on a mini roundabout with no indicators whatsoever. He missed the front of my car by mere inches.

If there had been a collision, my camera footage would have been invaluable as you can bet your mortgage he'd have turned round and said he'd indicated etc etc.

Good place to explore Dashcam options to chose from: http://dashcamtalk.com/

 

I use DOD GSE550 GPS-enabled dashcam: daytime footage is excellent, but nighttime quality is bad enough - rather old model.

This source can also help: http://www.techmoan.com/blog/category/car-dvr-dashcams

 

(both links, I believe, are not new to this forum).

This thread may be of interest....

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/278146-fitting-a-camerahow-to-pick-up-12v-supply-on-dash/

 

Checkout post #8

 

Camera system still running reliably