Some people may think that truck drivers don’t need a dashcam because their vehicles are big and tough. However, in Britain, there have been many cases of accidents with heavy trucks where the driver was not to blame. In these situations, it’s difficult for insurance companies to figure out who was at fault. In this article we show why truckers should have a dashcam, and other uses a dash cam can have for truck drivers.
What is a Dash Cam?
A dashcam is an additional camera that attaches to the inside of a vehicle. It has two main purposes:
- To provide visual evidence if there’s ever an accident, or something happens outside a vehicle that requires reference later
- As a way to record footage for pleasure, as seen in many YouTube videos
Dashcams are especially popular among truck drivers since they often get into accidents due to the number of hours spent on the road, in most cases their driving isn’t at fault but it can be difficult to prove this and figure out who was responsible.
Dashcams offer video proof so truckers don’t end up paying for damages that aren’t theirs, also the footage shows employers that they were not to blame, which could potentially save them their job!
Below is a video from my Dash Cam some years ago which shows just what can happen at a moment’s notice.
Truck Driver Near Miss With Cow – Does it make sense to keep a visual record?
Can you imagine going back into your workplace and telling your transport manager “a cow caused damage to the side of my truck”, would they believe you?
Do Truck Drivers Really Need A Dash Cam?
While you could easily put a Dash camera in just about anything these days, it actually makes sense to have one in your truck.
Truck drivers may not think they need a dashcam because of their size, but many accidents happen where the driver is not to blame! This is why truckers should consider having a dashboard camera. Truckers can also use it as an extra way to record what’s going on around them when working at night in remote areas or if there are emergency situations that require additional assistance. When you get into an accident with another car and you’re found innocent of any wrongdoing, your dashcam footage will save the day so make sure you have one installed all year round!
We see so many acts of stupidity on the road by other drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, even animals!
We all hope we never need to use the footage to get us out of trouble but should an incident occur a dash cam will give you peace of mind that you can show all events unfolding.
Video footage can be used to show your boss or insurance company in detail what actually happened if you should be involved in an accident.
A dashcam can also provide vital information for emergency services even if you were not involved in an accident but witnessed it.
Whatever the reason you may need video footage, a dashcam will always show the true events as they are recorded to your dash camera.
The Lighter Side of Dash Cams
Dash Cams are not only great for recording evidence of a collision they can also be used for capturing funny things that occur either on the road or even in the workplace.
A dashcam has many settings you can have a continuous recording or even set it to not record if nothing is moving in front of it with the use of motion sensors.
When parked at work, on a site, or on your break, something really funny could happen!
Dashcams can be a great way to have some fun in your day capturing moments you really would not want to miss.
Here are just a few of the things that you could capture with one:
- A colleague dropping their lunch and getting it all over themselves.
- Your boss tripping on his or her shoelaces, falling backward into an open manhole, then proceeding to get covered in dirt from head to toe.
- The sun setting behind some trees and creating an amazing view for anyone who’s watching!
The possibilities really are endless when it comes to what kind of dashcam footage you’ll be able to capture by installing this handy device onto your dashboard today!
YouTube is full of funny things caught on dash cams, so they also have a lighter side as well as a serious role within your truck, take a look at the British Trucking Youtube Channel.
Are Dash Cams Expensive?
Dash cameras are becoming less expensive all the time, as technology advances the devices become cheaper to manufacture, dash cams can also have added features such as speed alerts to assist you when driving.
The dash camera is generally marketed for cars, but the majority are powered by a 12v lighter socket plug so can easily be used in a truck.
Most trucks have a 24v and 12v output socket but if a truck only has a 24v option step-down transformers are readily available.
Below are a few examples of great dash cams that could be used in a truck, some of which are at the budget end of the market which will work in a truck, plus more professional versions perfect for commercial vehicles.
Garmin Mini Dash Cam 1080p HD
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Snooper Dash Cam with Speed Alerts
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Vantrue Professional Dash Cam
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Latest Truck Dash Cams
Over the years dash cameras have become more popular with truck drivers due to the amount of time they spend on the road in a vehicle.
We all know people and drivers can do stupid things which could sometimes cause an accident.
Having a dashcam will capture those moments and provide real-time footage of events.
Now some manufacturers who also create other trucking products have stepped up and produced dash cams that are perfect for truck driving.
A dashcam in a truck does not want to be large as it will take up valuable windscreen space, so products have been developed that will record your journey and take up as little room as possible.
Aguri Truck Sat Nav with Built in Dash Cam
Aguri decided that having a dash camera built into a truck sat nav will save a driver’s windscreen space, this multifunctional device is very popular among truck drivers.
Garmin Mini Dash Cam
Garmin who are renowned for making truck sat nav’s have also developed a dash camera which is very small, this dash cam will tuck in behind a truck sat nav so it is never seen in the truck driver’s eye line.
Snooper DVR-Pro Dash Cam
Snooper again was a popular choice when it came to HGV sat navs and speed camera alerts, but now they have this magnificent dash camera which is flat and will fit neatly below the dashboard line of a truck so that it does not block the view of the truck driver.
Dash Cameras Provide Security
There has been a growing problem over recent years with trucks being tampered with when parked up for the night in laybys or at truck stops.
There have been curtains slashed on vehicles, goods stolen, drivers threatened or vehicles damaged.
A dashcam can add security to your vehicle in just the same way that a CCTV system does at your own home, recording what is going on outside with footage that can be referred to later.
Modern dash cameras have night vision sensors that can record really good quality footage even when it is dark.
Best Dash Cam Features For Trucking
There are many different types of dash cameras and although they all record what is happening through the lens, many have different features that would be more suitable for trucks.
List of Dash Cam features recommended for trucks:
- Night Vision to record footage in the dark.
- Loop Recording so that video recording does not stop.
- Large memory capacity to ensure the video is taken of a whole shift.
- GPS, to log data of location, speed, and direction should an accident occur.
- G-Force Sensor saves recordings if an accident or collision occurs.
- HD recording quality to provide a clear video if it needs to be reviewed.
- Easy to use strong mount because a truck dash cam is likely to be removed from the windscreen often.
Top 5 Bestselling Dashcams
- 【3 Channel Dash camera】Our dash camera offers 3 channels of recording for maximum safety on the road. This high-resolution dashcam records in clear 2.5K+1080P+1080P quality, delivering sharp and...
- 3 Channel 4K Dash Cam Front Rear Inside: VANTRUE N4 3 channel 4K dash cam all 3 cameras are equipped with Sony STARVIS sensor, featuring 3 channel recording for all round guarding your car with...
- 🎥【3 Channel Dash Cam for Cars】Our dashcam for cars has built-in 170° wide angle front camera, 120° inner camera and 140° rear camera, which covers the front, inside and rear views at the...
- 🚕【1080P Dash Cam Front and Rear 】1080P Dash Cam Front + 720P Rear Car Dash cam + 720P Inside Dashcam comes with 64GB SD Card (Max support 64GB), built in 170° + 150° + 140° wide viewing...
- ✔【3 Channel Dash Cam for All Round Protection】TOPGOOSE The dashcam built with a triple channel system, It comes with a 170° wide-angle front camera and a 160° in-car camera, as well as a 160°...
Last update on 2024-04-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion
In conclusion, the answer to the question “why truck drivers should have a dash cam” is simple, a dash camera will record the journey of a truck and provide vital evidence if something untoward should happen within the journey.
Truck dash cams can be used for personal use footage to post to social media or video platforms such as YouTube if something funny is captured during your working day.
Popular trucking manufacturers are now making dashcams such as Aguri, Garmin and Snooper.
Thank you for reading this article “Why truckers should have a Dash Cam” we hope you found it useful to help you decide if you should have a dash camera in your truck.
