There are countless benefits to installing a dash cam in your car, which is likely to help you feel safer while on the road, get lower
dash caminsurance premiums and provide valuable evidence in the event of an incident. However, failure to install your device correctly could leave you and other road users vulnerable to an incident.
We caught up with Richard Gladman from road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, who stressed the importance of correct installation in order to enjoy the full advantages offered by this innovative technology. Speaking to Cobra Electronics, Richard said: “When fitting your dashcam, ensure that the driver's view is not obstructed in any way, as this could potentially cause an accident rather than prevent it.
“In general, one thing drivers forget is to share the road. In order to reduce the risk of an accident, you should look at other drivers and think ‘what does that lorry driver need’?
“A lot of drivers rush. By pausing momentarily, you could save yourself and other road users a lot of grief.”
In order to prevent an incident from occurring due to a poorly installed dashcam, we’ve put together this list to ensure you are doing it correctly.
- Attach the dash cam to the front window, ensuring it is not obstructing your view. Check if the dash cam lens is centred
- Hide the wire of the dash cam along the headliner
- Hide the wire between A-pillar to B-pillar, and hide the rest of the wire underneath the carpet
- Plug your dash cam into the cigarette power socket
Should I have my dash cam professionally fitted?
While our dash cams are incredibly easy to install, there are some benefits to having it professionally fitted. This will ensure there is no cable hanging over your vehicle’s dashboard, while also leaving your cigarette lighter free to power the sat nav or charge your phone.
About IAM Road Smart
IAM RoadSmart provides coaching and advice for all post-licence drivers and riders to create better drivers. Through its network of thousands of volunteers and 200 local groups, the organisation provides a series of training courses to teach motorists to look for danger signs on the road before they have happened.