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Californians drive 1.5 times more miles annually than the average American, for an average total of 13,636 miles each, with more than 4,200 traffic-related fatalities in 2021 alone, representing an increase for a second-straight year. These scary numbers have prompted California drivers in the last couple of years to increase by 20% annually their use of dashboard cameras (dash cams, or dashcams.) At the same time, vehicle owners are also increasingly aware of other benefits these cameras mounted on your dashboard have. You might be surprised by just how many uses (and regulations) you can learn about in this blog post.
Are Dash cams legal in California?
Dash cams used to be limited to police cars, and the public mostly only saw the footage as part of cop shows on television. But dashboard cams are also more common in private civilian vehicles in California.These devices were legalized in 2011 in the state after lawmakers established a set of rules to follow when installing the dash cams on passenger and commercial vehicles.
Rules for Dashcams in California
Dash cams are legal in California but only if installed properly. The law makes it clear where to place them and even what size they can be, along with the protocols involving passengers and recordings. You can place a dashcam in California under these guidelines:
- If the dashcam is installed in the top and center area of your windshield, don’t let it be larger than five square inches.
- If installed in the lower right corner, it can be a bit bigger than five, but not more than seven square inches.
- The lower left-hand corner is not allowed. It can obstruct your view.
- The dashcams, once installed, cannot block airbag deployment.
While most people might be aware dash cams also record audio, what they might not be aware of is that dash cams can record audio from inside the vehicle as well. In California, this means you are legally required to inform passengers that they are being recorded, as well as put up a notice about it. Both the driver and passengers must consent. If the passenger declines to consent, the driver is obligated to turn off and disengage the dash cam, or at least the audio feature.
Why You Should Get A Dash Cam For Your Car
Now that we’ve established that dashboard cameras are a go in California, here are several benefits to having one in your car:
Helps With Details of Car Crashes
After a crash or accident, your first instinct is to take your bearings and see if you are anyone else is hurt. The second instinct is to figure out what happened. Your memory during road accidents is never the best, so a dash cam will offer an objective retelling of the events before and up to the moment of any incident or crash. For example, the dash cam can reveal a stop sign hidden from view or a pedestrian not using the intersection to cross.
Avoid a Traffic Ticket or Misdemeanor
But dash cams aren’t just about getting your insurance to cover the cost of repairs or medical treatment. They can make a difference in court when battling a traffic ticket; or, worse, possible criminal charges from a driving incident. Dash cam footage can be used in court as evidence for any trial or challenge to a ticket.
Protect from fraud and “Staged Accidents.”
Dashboard cameras provide an unbiased perspective that can save you from costly repairs or medical coverage. And above all else, they can show who was truly at fault. Auto insurance fraud has become increasingly common, which has, in turn, fueled the need for dash cams. Use this technology to prove the vehicle in front of you stopped abruptly with the intent of being crashed into or scared you into making a hard turn and bumping into another vehicle.
They Record More than Just Audio and Video
We’ve already established that dash cams record audio and video from outside and inside the vehicle. But that’s not all. Dashboard cameras are also connected to the vehicle’s computer. They will know your driving speed, who is using their seatbelts, breaking patterns, and other valuable information when in court and dealing with your insurance. It’s a two-edge sword because courts and insurance companies can also use this information against you, so be careful.
Dashcams Enable Parental Oversight Of Teen Drivers
Nowadays, parents can keep track of their teenage children via a wide array of tools, including dash cams. But more than using a cam to watch their every mood, having one installed on the family car will protect them (and others) against the common issues of new and inexperienced drivers. In these cases, small but essential details captured on the dash cam will protect a teen driver from liability.
Dash cam footage is admissible as evidence in California courts
As mentioned above, dash cam footage in California is accepted as evidence in court. The footage can protect you from the worst legal consequences and might even help you out with your insurance company. We emphasize the word might because it’s up to the insurance company to accept dash cam recordings, unlike the courts. Look for insurance companies that specifically admit dashcams as evidence in their policies. Please contact us at Ticket Snipers if you have any questions about dash cams and how to use their footage in court. We are available 24/7 if you’d like to chat with one of our trained consultants about dash cam footage from your vehicle or someone else’s.