Dash Cam

[ciz_]

Hi everyone,

Perhaps not in the most appropriate section so mods feel free to move it...

I'd just like to heavily recommend all MX5 owners invest in a dash cam of any sorts (mine's a cheap 50 dollar Uniden from eBay).
I've had an NA Roadster for a few months now and I find that every time I drive into the city (i.e. every day for work) SUVs and trucks do not notice me at all half the time - I now drive with the mentality of "everyone's an idiot and I'm a motorcyclist".

I kid you not - I could have easily had my car written off within the first 2 months of owning her if I wasn't as cautious as I was, swerving out of the way of spastic motorists ready to run me over, bothering not to check for a little MX5 (doesn't help I'm lowered on coilovers).

Please do yourselves a favour and invest in a dash cam. Who knows, we may even end up with an All-Star Idiots compilation video by the end of the year.

Stay safe

[Magpie]

I use my VBox system, however I have used Contour's and Replay's.

All do the same job, however VBox has the edge because all the data is overlaid at the time it is recorded. I guess it is what is your intended purpose.

I use my motorbike thinking skills like you as well.

[davekmoore]

How about a list of priorities for discussion:

1. Drive like motorcyclist/cyclist including assuming everyone else will be happy to kill us.
2. Headlights always on + maybe flourescent* paint on A pillars.
3. Loud horn (Stebel/Nautilus) used early. Always a pleasure to see the shock on school trip mum's/dad's face when they think they're about to get mowed down by something even bigger.
4. Camera.
5. Ask your MP for legislation for all drivers of 4x4s/SUVs to take a extra test involving looking around before changing lanes and to prove they don't think they're "special".
6. Remote volume controls that actually work when you point them at children.

* Damn the spell checker for working in a non-English language.

[taminga16]

Installing a dash mounted camera is not going to improve your situation in traffic, nor will fitting one reduce the possibility of your car being run into by "spastic motorists" (poor choice of words, by the way), Drive accordingly.
Staying out of trouble is far better than getting into it.
Greg.

[Trackphotos]

Installing a dash mounted camera is not going to improve your situation in traffic, nor will fitting one reduce the possibility of your car being run into by "spastic motorists" (poor choice of words, by the way), Drive accordingly.
Staying out of trouble is far better than getting into it.
Greg.

But should something happen that results in your car getting damaged, wouldn't you prefer to have proof of who was at fault?

[bruce]

Better to avoid getting damaged, than have evidence of it occurring.
But, video would be handy.

[taminga16]

I doubt that Video 'Proof' would be worth very much in a dispute.
Greg.
P.S. One might be able to use it to muscle the other driver.

[Trackphotos]

I doubt that Video 'Proof' would be worth very much in a dispute.
Greg.
P.S. One might be able to use it to muscle the other driver.

You don't think video proof of say, someone changing lanes in front of you and then immediately slamming on the brakes, causing you to rear end them, would get you out of being labeled at fault as you were the car behind? Happens all the time, people suck ass at merging onto motorways where 3 lanes merge down to one.

[tinsfci]

I find that staying out of other vehicles blind spots goes a long way towards not getting run over... And my daily driver is a Landcruiser.

People make mistakes, only a couple of days ago someone in a Subaru pulled out of a side street without looking any if I did not take evasive action my left rear wheel would have gone over their bonnet (closely followed by me the kids and the cruiser rolling). Every other driver on the road except me is sh*t (is there a smiley for sarcasm???).

[taminga16]

You don't think video proof of say, someone changing lanes in front of you and then immediately slamming on the brakes, causing you to rear end them, would get you out of being labeled at fault as you were the car behind? Happens all the time, people suck ass at merging onto motorways where 3 lanes merge down to one.

Check Mile's Garage Thread (page 7).

[kalt]

I find that staying out of other vehicles blind spots goes a long way towards not getting run over

^^This x 10000000000000000000000 for everyone not just mx5. On multi-lane roads drive as parallel to the car next to you as possible.

Every other driver on the road except me is sh*t

^^This. You have to drive defensively and react proactively to all situations, and prepare to yield to others' mistakes constantly.

This car has taught me more about driving defensively in such a small amount of time of ownership, I'm starting to think I have psychic abilities now

[Trackphotos]

You don't think video proof of say, someone changing lanes in front of you and then immediately slamming on the brakes, causing you to rear end them, would get you out of being labeled at fault as you were the car behind? Happens all the time, people suck ass at merging onto motorways where 3 lanes merge down to one.

Check Mile's Garage Thread (page 7).

His mistake was not going through his insurance. They don't care if the police bother looking into it. He has video footage, proof of who was at fault. Lodge a claim, get your repairs done, and they chase the driver of the van for the money. Simple. You might think that some companies would refuse to pay out since there's no police report, but do you think they're willing to go to the effort of protecting the other driver when all it would take is a little social media virality to prove they are denying a legitimate claim?

[taminga16]

My point exactly, the footage may be able to be used to 'muscle' someone, but would be worth 'JACK' in a court of law.

[Mr Morlock]

Essentially. Taminga is correct. We have insurance for a reason. Videos don't always tell the whole story. Insurance sorts these things out and not being insured should not be an option.

[Trackphotos]

Ah ok I see. Why does it matter though? Long as you're not out financially, it doesn't matter. If it was something serious enough to be worried about more than just money, the cops wouldn't be so useless.