Dashboard cameras, or “dash cams” for short, are small video cameras that are mounted in your vehicle that continuously record video as you drive. The video captured can provide valuable evidence in the event of a crash or other incident involving your car.
Some of the many benefits of having a dash cam are:
- Providing Evidence regarding a crash: Cameras provide an unbiased account of events leading to a crash. They can be helpful for insurance claims and legal proceedings.
- Monitoring Teen Driving: Parents can use dash cams to monitor their teen’s driving habits.
- Capturing Unexpected Events: Dash cams capture your entire journey, from scenic drives to unexpected events like road rage – and even meteors streaking across the sky.
These small but powerful cameras offer many features. With prices catering to a range of budgets and needs, here are some things to consider when purchasing a dash cam.
- Video quality: The image clarity may be critical in identifying other vehicles or people involved. Cameras that record in high definition (HD) or 4K resolution may offer the best image clarity.
- Field of view: A wider field of view will capture more of the scene happening around your vehicle.
- Night vision: Cameras with night vision will capture more in dark or low-light conditions.
- Audio recording: Some cameras can capture audio as well as visual evidence. Keep in mind the two-party consent law with audio recordings.
- Memory: Since dash cams are small, most do not have built-in memory to save footage. Think about whether the camera you’re considering require a memory card, or does it save footage to a cloud database?
The good news for Maryland drivers is that dash cams are legal to use. However, the camera cannot obstruct your view of the road. It should be mounted behind your rearview mirror or high on the dashboard.
With many benefits and various features to choose from, there are dash cams that fit your needs and budget. Investing in a camera can help monitor and catch the unexpected, offering peace of mind.
