Over recent years, there has been a steady rise in the popularity of dash cams in the UK, with many motorists seeing them as a good way to help prove their innocence in road accidents. What’s more, coach and bus drivers who use a dash cam could save themselves a lot of money and hassle, should there be an incident either on the road or with passengers.
While many drivers are becoming savvy to the benefits of a standard dash cam, an increasing number of professional motorists are opting for the extra security of a dual dash camera. As the name suggests, a dual dash cam has two cameras, one to record the action outside of the windshield, and another to record the driver and passengers or the view the rear of the vehicle. This is particularly useful for professional coach and bus drivers who are looking to protect themselves from fellow road users, as well as passengers.
Protection against crash-for-cash scams
Crash-for-cash scams occur when drivers purposefully cause accidents in order to benefit from fraudulent claims on car insurance. According to the Insurance Fraud Bureau, crash for cash costs UK motorists £340m every year, largely due to the fact there is little to no evidence as to whose fault the crash was. Insurers are starting to realise the benefits of dash cam use, thanks to their role in fighting crash-for-cash fraud, which costs the industry £1 billion a year.[wlm_nonmember][…]
By subscribing you will benefit from:
- Operator & Supplier Profiles
- Face-to-Face Interviews
- Lastest News
- Test Drives and Reviews
- Legal Updates
- Route Focus
- Industry Insider Opinions
- Passenger Perspective
- Vehicle Launches
- and much more!
Phil Jones, Head of Sales and Marketing at Cobra Electronics, said: “With dash cams, it’s important to invest in a high-quality device so nothing is open to questioning. Most devices are full HD these days but it is worth checking the unit is 1080 pixels. The wider the viewing angle, the more footage you will be able to capture – a 140° viewing angle or above will be ideal for a large windscreen. Choosing a dash cam with an inbuilt microphone allows you to record and monitor in-vehicle activity, meaning you will be able to make sure drivers are displaying good habits while on the road.”
Lower insurance premiums
The majority of insurance companies will offer businesses and professionals a discount on vehicles that have a dash camera installed. This is because not only will this protect a driver against other road users, but it will ensure motorists take care of their own driving as they are continuously being recorded.
Phil added: “When insurance companies see a clear operational plan to reduce incidents, losses and damage to assets, they will reflect these improvements in their fees. Dash cams prove where fault lies in the case of vehicle collisions and help with the reduction of crash-for cash-claims, which will aid lowering costs for insurance companies that will lower premiums for drivers.”
Bad passenger behaviour
While bus and coach drivers are trained in how to deal with unruly passengers, the behaviour of the public cannot always be diffused or controlled. The presence of a camera can often deter the public from acting out due to the fear of being recorded. What’s more, if violence or vandalism does occur, offenders are more likely to be identified and prosecuted if necessary.
In a recent Government report, it was revealed that criminal damage caused to buses in London costs the industry over £10million per year. In the north west of England, local authorities in partnership with transport operators assess the costs of vandalism at almost £4million per year.
Other measures staff can take to protect against antisocial behaviour include:
- Using two-way radios;
- Protective screens;
- Panic alarms;
- Display signs; and
- DNA test kits (used to help identify offenders who spit at staff).
Preventing and capturing criminal acts
If a serious incident occurs on a bus or coach that leads to a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) or a court appearance, video footage could be the difference between penalising and preventing further behaviour from occurring or letting the offender go unpunished.
A dual dash cam can also protect a vehicle from theft if it comes with a parking feature installed. This means the camera will be activated if any movement is detected whilst the bus or coach is not in use.
Phil said: “When your vehicles are not in use, having a dash cam in ‘parking mode’ allows footage to be captured meaning that if another driver hits your car and drives away or somebody attempts to steal a vehicle, there is evidence to help you find the perpetrator.”
A cheaper alternative to CCTV
As standard, the Government recommends all public transport should use CCTV as a way to deter antisocial behaviour and identify any offenders. However, this is often an expensive solution that is not viable for smaller vehicles and small businesses. With the average cost of a dual dash cam coming in at around £100 to £300, a small investment can be made for peace of mind.
Phil said: “Various recording systems are available for vehicles. Recording day-to-day activities help keep the company, vehicle, driver, load and other road users safe and secure.”[/wlm_ismember]
