Would mandatory dashcams on all new vehicles sold in the US be a good idea?

[2timer]

I just had this idea. Think about it: what's the cost of a video recorder these days, especially one with lower resolution? Video cameras are so small and relatively cheap, it would be rather easy to attach them to a car. We have all sorts of futuristic technology being added to cars, yet it seems such a tiny thing could make a big difference. It would be a safety mechanism and a way to provide evidence of any sort of accident, road rage, or other incident. It might add about $100 to the cost of a new car but the benefits could be exponentially higher than that.

What do you guys think?

 

[xanis]

I like the idea of dash cams, but I would want to pick my own.

 

[mmntech]

I have a dash cam in my car to protect me in case of an accident. If they were to put them in all cars, I'd want limits put on place about how insurance and police can access that data though.

 

[2timer]

I like the idea of dash cams, but I would want to pick my own.

Sure, supposing mandatory dashcams ever came to fruition, you could always install your own above and beyond to get whatever features you wanted, but the mandatory one would be basic, provide a video record of X hours of driving, and it would be universal. See the difference?

 

[lozina]

funny to see this thread now when i just closed amazon shopping for a dash cam. thinking about getting a BlackVue

it would be nice if there was an optional package on new cars to have a nice discreet built in system

 

[OCGuy]

I have zoom/rotate cams with a 360 view all around my vehicle (factory). They are fun to show off, but really just seem distracting.

I am against anything being mandatory.

Edit: The cameras on the side are actually on the bottom of the mirrors for viewing curbs and parking stall lines I guess?

 

[OCGuy]

it would be nice if there was an optional package on new cars to have a nice discreet built in system

There is....mine don't record, but that would merely be a software issue since I already have a large HDD in my dash as well.

 

[2timer]

I am against anything being mandatory.

So you're still a critic of seatbelts, are you?

 

[BoomerD]

Are dash cams a good idea? Maybe...depending on your area and driving habits, but mandatory? FUCK NO!

 

[OCGuy]

So you're still a critic of seatbelts, are you?

For someone over 18 being forced by the government to wear them or face a fine? Absolutely.

 

[PliotronX]

Luckily it's not as bad as Russia... yet. It certainly would help the case of some drivers. There were scam artists caught on camera that backed into a car at a stop and were going to try to claim whiplash but the potential victim informed them that it had been caught on camera so they vamoosed.

Now a HD camera on my motorcycle would be fun to review footage on.

 

[OutHouse]

i think its a great idea and i would be for it. it may be a deterrent to people driving like maniacs like i saw today.

 

[KMFJD]

Next thing people will be advocating being required to wear gopro style camera's that are streamed to law enforcement for our security.

 

[DrPizza]

Sure, and it should point both ways - viewing both the driver as well as what the driver sees in front of the vehicle. Accident or something - and review the video. Driving isn't a right - it's a privilege. Hell, hire someone to randomly glance at drivers and see what they're doing. Text messaging someone while driving? Hit a kill switch, stalling out the car. Use GPS to summon tow truck to pick the car up & impound it.

 

[Captante]

Next thing people will be advocating being required to wear gopro style camera's that are streamed to law enforcement for our security.

I know ... scary isn't it?

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Sure, and it should point both ways - viewing both the driver as well as what the driver sees in front of the vehicle. Accident or something - and review the video. Driving isn't a right - it's a privilege. Hell, hire someone to randomly glance at drivers and see what they're doing. Text messaging someone while driving? Hit a kill switch, stalling out the car. Use GPS to summon tow truck to pick the car up & impound it.

Thanks but no. I get the intent but considering how the government murdered the 4th I wouldn't want to give them more 1984 fodder.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

I know ... scary isn't it?

The upside would be awesome YouTube fail videos.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Mandatory? Absolutely NOT.

I am sick and tired of mandatory excess crap on cars.

 

[gevorg]

Sure, and it should point both ways - viewing both the driver as well as what the driver sees in front of the vehicle. Accident or something - and review the video. Driving isn't a right - it's a privilege. Hell, hire someone to randomly glance at drivers and see what they're doing. Text messaging someone while driving? Hit a kill switch, stalling out the car. Use GPS to summon tow truck to pick the car up & impound it.

Gestapo Alert!

 

[SKORPI0]

It should be already built in the car, 1080p video/stereo audio monitored by the NSA. One facing the driver and the other to the road.
Helps disputes on accidents and traffic violations.

 

[lxskllr]

If dashcams became mandatory, I'd probably switch to historic cars only. I'm already || close, and that would be enough to push me over the line.

 

[2timer]

So there's alot of concern that the dashcam would be just another sphere of technology for the NSA to invade and snoop around in. Which is a reasonable concern, I suppose.

 

[SparkyJJO]

So there's alot of concern that the dashcam would be just another sphere of technology for the NSA to invade and snoop around in. Which is a reasonable concern, I suppose.

like, duh.

 

[Imp]

Just get a previous-gen GoPro, set to 480p or 720p for 2+ hours on a 16 GB card, suction cup mount, plug into cigarette lighter, done... All for about ~$400. That is, until your car gets broken into for a $200+ camera.

 

[IGBT]

the dashCams I find on the market are cheap junk. They all report some kind of intermittent problem due to poor thermal characteristics.