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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhy Americans don’t use dash cams
Dashboard cameras are so widespread in Taiwan that two consecutive cars happened to capture terrifying raw video of Wednesdays fatal TransAsia plane crash in Taipei.
Yet even in an era when Americans are using wearable GoPro cameras to capture every turn of their downhill ski runs, and mobile phones to record their most mundane moments, hardly anyone in the U.S. uses dash cams except police and commercial truck and taxi drivers.
That might change as dramatic incidents like the plane crash or a big meteor shower in Russia raise awareness about dash cams. And now, even big name companies like computer giant Hewlett-Packard and navigation device maker Garmin are hoping the U.S. dash cam market accelerates.
For now, the dash cam is a brand new concept in the camera category, said Vic Chan, an executive with Papago, the Taipei company that made the device that recorded the most widely viewed video of the TransAsia crash.
http://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/Why-Americans-don-t-use-dash-cams-6067560.php?t=b22276c52c1210a92f&cmpid=twitter-premium#/0
Cirque du So-What
(25,941 posts)I wonder about the reasons mentioned in the article - cost and usefulness in an accident. At $100 or less, I don't consider cost a prohibitive factor. And even though many states have 'no-fault' insurance laws, I don't believe that's the reason why Americans haven't started using them.
I believe it's due to lack of offerings on new vehicles; the older people who purchase new cars want everything pre-installed. Given time, younger people will demand that these devices come standard.
ileus
(15,396 posts)I also need two for my Kayak.
onehandle
(51,122 posts)I've been thinking about just letting it shoot video whenever I drive.
Just delete the video later, assuming I haven't caught a glimpse of Bigfoot.
Phentex
(16,334 posts)I am considering using one. The things I see everyday!
VScott
(774 posts)It was a little over $60.00 at the time.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F2GMX1Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I look at it as something that's better to have and not need, than to need and not have...
like in a traffic accident, or to dispute certain moving violations.
I haven't captured anything monumental yet, but have recorded a couple of close calls and other motorists
bicyclists, pedestrians doing dumb ass shit.
Hassin Bin Sober
(26,330 posts)A couple years ago, I had a bike cut across traffic in front of my truck, catch a sewer grate and flip right in front of me. Fortunately I was stopping so I had my foot on the brake and was able to stop quickly.
I'd rather not run somebody over. And I'd rather not be accused of something I did do.
hunter
(38,317 posts)I despise our automobile culture and resent the fact that I'm forced to drive my POS 1984 salvage title automobile with lichen growing on it, never washed but for the glass, to be considered a somewhat functional human being in this society.
Hassin Bin Sober
(26,330 posts)My partner has to drive 75 miles a day to and from work. There is no public trans option for him. When he gets home he refuses to drive anywhere.
I use my truck/suv for my constuction business. Even though I don't travel far, the gas bill sux ass.
madokie
(51,076 posts)you are not forced to do anything, in fact if you cared as you claim you'd get out there and do better than drive around in a lichen covered '84 POS automobile. a car wash cost me about a buck 25. Geeze
hunter
(38,317 posts)I'm entirely unable to "take pride" in any automobile. If someone gave me a shiny new Tesla or something similar I'd immediately give it away without driving it to someone who could appreciate it. All cars are POS in my eyes.
I'm doing "better" by avoiding driving as best I'm able.
When my wife and I met in the mid 'eighties we were Los Angeles commuters. We moved away and by some good fortune and planning, have managed to avoid the commuter lifestyle ever since.
What would be better than my car? It passes the biannual smog test, and I really don't drive it that much. I'm a very infrequent visitor to the gasoline station.
"Best" would be a society where automobiles were an expensive and unnecessary inconveniences for most people. The best form of human transportation is walking. That's what we humans evolved to do.
The freedoms afforded by automobile ownership are an illusion. Automobiles are actually a way of restricting our freedom of movement, and our right to privacy in those movements.
ND-Dem
(4,571 posts)isn't as corrupt here as in other locales where the cameras are more ubiquitous. like Russia and Taiwan.
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)Apparently there are a significant number of people who fake being hit by cars.
In fact, on some the Russian cams on You Tube, there is indeed videos of people throwing themselves on the hood of cars.
Sure was glad they had the cams when that meteorite came down..fantastic video resulted.
pipi_k
(21,020 posts)in my main vehicle for a few years now, and glad of it.
Nailzberg
(4,610 posts)So I'd have to put in in place and remove it every time I get in or out of the car. Which means I'm probably not gonna use it for a quick trip to 7-11. But that's when I'm probably gonna get hit by another car, so really why bother at all.
VScott
(774 posts)and use some creativity when mounting it.
The one I have is about the size of an old 35mm film cannister, and is easily tucked up between the rear view mirror
and windshield. You'd never know it was there.
Nailzberg
(4,610 posts)I can easily rig all that. I've actually done it for work. I'm close to ditching my 03 Impala, and will likely wire in a cam on the new car.
But for most people, that level of set-up isn't gonna happen, which is why its not catching on here yet.
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)U4ikLefty
(4,012 posts)pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)msanthrope
(37,549 posts)In_The_Wind
(72,300 posts)treestar
(82,383 posts)as litigiousness over auto accidents is far more common in the US.
cemaphonic
(4,138 posts)Insurance fraud is huge there.
rustydog
(9,186 posts)captured some forest fires, vehicle accidents, near-misses with birds and deer.
brooklynite
(94,598 posts)Why not have cameras in your back yard in case of a plane crash or meteor. Odds are just as unlikely.
benz380
(534 posts)Every time I park I have to take it down. It's now been under the passenger seat for a couple of months now. I've missed videoing 2 wrecks and 1 road rage incident since then.
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)benz380
(534 posts)davidpdx
(22,000 posts)and referred to as "black boxes". You can have them installed in both the front and back windshields. I guess it's good in case you get in an accident and clearly it wasn't your fault, then you have proof. The other part would be if your car got hit or broken into while you were not there.
SheilaT
(23,156 posts)somewhere on the West Coast, has one.
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)What the hell is he thinking?!1!!
SheilaT
(23,156 posts)pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)And, by the way, I always tip the pizza driver VERY generously. And in return, they always make me their first stop, so I always get my order hot from the oven. We have a symbiotic relationship.
Oh, and I know all my delivery drivers by name. And sometimes, from our conversations, I know the names of their spouses and kids.
But what's the deal with the shorts in the winter? Brrrr!
SheilaT
(23,156 posts)I used to work the information desk at this city's only hospital. Pizza was often delivered, and as often picked up in front of me. I ALWAYS told the people getting the pizza they needed to tip the driver well. I also told the drivers my son delivered pizza in another city, and I had some clue what the were up against.
My son recently transferred to a different delivery location in his city, and he tells me that at his new location, while he doesn't do as many deliveries because they aren't as busy, he makes as much or more money because in this new delivery area they tip much better.
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)I hope he'll do even better when business picks up at that store.
A long time ago when I was an inpatient in an Army hospital, the pizza delivery guys had to sneak it in to us. They weren't allowed in, but we managed to make it work. My jaw was wired and I wasn't even supposed to be eating any solids, but I had a space to slip bits of it in and that was heaven! God bless the pizza guys who were sympathetic to our plight.
SheilaT
(23,156 posts)I happened to have C-sections for each of my babies. The worst part was what I saw as enforced starvation. I simply NEVER eat crap like jello, and I was on the edge of sending my mother out for pizza when I was finally put on a non-restricted diet.
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)It usually lasted two months. It wasn't enough, so I always asked for a TRIPLE serving and they always gave it to me. The hospital staff was great, and their liquid diet was mostly very good. But it wasn't pizza.
benz380
(534 posts)My mother in law would puree pizza in the blender and he would drink it. YUCK!!!
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)along with the street racing scene...
JI7
(89,252 posts)so that gives some protection in cases of accidents. but in places like russia it's easy for certain people to blame others and they don't have similar laws.
but i would still like to get a dash cam
JVS
(61,935 posts)Unless there were a guarantee that my dashcam footage is not allowed to be used as evidence against me, then I'm not going to create it.
Quackers
(2,256 posts)It's worked great for me!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JFUU5OM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)What's that? Dash CAMS? Well, that's very different.
gerogie2
(450 posts)to have an traffic accident be turned into a crime or then insurance company say you violated your agreement by not operating in a safe manner. That is exactly what the insurance companies and prosecutors in these countries that require dash cams are doing.
ChisolmTrailDem
(9,463 posts)cars that got video of the plane crash.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026188877
Thank you for adding to the discussion and informing us re: dash cams!
yuiyoshida
(41,832 posts)Three videos I posted...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017242587
I have always seen the dash cams from Russia, but this is a first to see so many from Taiwan.
NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)OMG like here's video of me driving to the Piggly Wiggly
pipi_k
(21,020 posts)bahahahaha!!!!!
OK that is funny!
I will have to mention it to Mr Pipi next time we're out. I don't take "selfies", but it really would be hilarious to post a "drivie" on Facebook!!