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Do you need a dashcam in Singapore?
Social media users are probably familiar with videos from dashboard cameras, or dashcams. But beyond entertaining and horrifying people browsing the web, is there any good reason to install a dashcam in your vehicle?
What’s a dashcam?
A dashcam installation will usually involve a single, small video camera mounted near the rear-view mirror that records footage of what’s happening in front of your vehicle.
More complex installations can involve multiple cameras that record inside the vehicle and what’s happening to the rear.
Dashcams range in price from less than $50 to close to $1,000 excluding installation.
Generally, the higher cost dashcams have more features, such as GPS recording, higher video quality, higher frame rates, touchscreen displays, companion apps, voice control, or even satellite navigation.
Why install a dashcam?
If you feel your daily commute is boring, there seems to be little to gain by recording a video of it, but there is a good reason to do so: If you’re involved in an accident, and there’s a dispute about who is at fault, the dashcam footage can help.
Who is at fault in an accident is important, because if you’re at fault, you will have to pay your policy excess, and your insurer will pay the other party’s costs. This will result in increased premiums for you in the future.
Obviously if you’re not at fault, the opposite is true.
If the other party in an accident is at fault, and blames you for the accident anyway, without dashcam footage you may find it tough to defend yourself and if you have no other evidence to prove otherwise, you may be found partly or fully responsible in the worst case scenario. This is why having a dashcam could potentially save you a lot of money in the long run.
If you witness an accident, your dashcam footage may be useful for the parties involved, and you’d be doing the right thing by your fellow citizens by allowing them to use it.
Scammer alerts in Singapore
Unfortunately, there are bad actors who stage accidents in order to scam insurance companies.
Scammers will take advantage of the shock a driver is likely to feel at the scene of an accident to get them to admit some fault, and then make claims against their insurance for car repairs or medical bills.
Dashcam footage of an accident could save the day.
Also, the proliferation of dashcams on Singapore roads may act as a disincentive to scammers – they’re much more likely to get caught if there is video footage of them staging an accident. For more information regarding scammers and fraud in Singapore click here .
Submit a police report about dangerous driving
The same is true of dangerous drivers.
If being shamed on popular Singapore social media sites is not enough to deter bad behavior on public roads, people can submit a police report about dangerous driving incidents they have witnessed. Go to https://eservices.police.gov.sg/content/policehubhome/homepage/feedback-on-road-users.html
Dashcam owners can substantiate their claims with dashcam footage, though they may still need to appear in court if the driver is charged.
Dashcams can make good security cameras
Some dashcams record even when the car is not in use, acting as a security camera. These cameras can be a deterrent to would-be thieves or vandals, and any footage they record could be used to assist police to investigate any property crime.
They may also record footage of damage done to your parked car by other drivers.
Be aware that not all dashcams have the 24-hour recording feature.
Conclusion
There are multiple reasons why installing a dashcam may be the right thing for you. While the initial purchase price may seem steep, a dashcam may also save you money in the long run. Even if you are not directly impacted by an accident, your dashcam footage could be used to assist fellow road users, and its mere presence may discourage crime.
What sort of dashcam you install depends on your budget and your needs.
Most drivers don’t need much more than a single forward-facing camera. Higher-definition models and higher frame-rate models provide clearer images of incidents, though they will have a higher initial purchase price. Arguably 1080p resolution is the minimum you should consider.
Ideally you want the smallest dashcam possible, in order to reduce clutter and to avoid blocking your vision, though the smallest units may not offer the features you need. Shop around and get professional advice.
Many dashcams don’t require professional installation, though professionally installed dashcams tend to look tidier, with fewer visible wires, and they are more likely to be capable of 24-hour recording.
Recording the interior of the vehicle is probably only necessary if you’re a Private Hire Vehicle driver, and rear-facing cameras are of limited use too. As a general rule, in rear-end accidents the driver of the following vehicle will be considered at fault. If you want the ultimate peace of mind though, a three-camera version may be the right choice for you.
