Police report surge in helmet cam evidence

In the absence of a systematic approach to road danger reduction, dash cam and helmet cam footage is the most powerful tool in the fight against dangerous drivers. And as more police forces launch online portals that allow video evidence to be uploaded, more road users are investing in cameras.

While you might expect the number of dash and helmet cam reports to be high in cities, Devon and Cornwall Police recently announced they received a record 4,736 submissions of footage in 2022, up 151% on 2021. The video evidence resulted in action being taken against 3,400 motorists in 2022, a 135% increase on 2021.

Running a cycle cam on your handlebars or helmet doesn't make the roads feel any safer, but you do feel less helpless. In the event of a road traffic incident, video footage goes a long way towards guaranteeing legal redress - it's an insurance of sorts.

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We are one of the only countries in Europe to eschew something known as strict liability - a common sense law that makes motorists automatically liable for injuries caused to pedestrians and cyclists.

The result is that court cases rest on one person's word against another - and given pedestrians and cyclists are often injured in road traffic collisions, their recollection of events can be affected. It's just another reason why an increasing number of cyclists are running cameras.

Good value cycle cams

The domination of the action cam market by GoPro has inspired a host of Chinese competitors to follow suit. For example, the Akaso EK7000 is a 4K ultra high-definition action camera that may not have a touch screen, but is more than up to the job of recording the daily commute.

Most importantly, it's great value at around £55 - a price that includes a case that's waterproof to 30m and a bewildering array of mounts. The Akaso does a remarkably good job of capturing steady footage without the digital stabilisation offered by so many of its more expensive rivals.

Win your own cycle cam

To be in with a chance of winning an Akaso EK7000 action camera and accessories worth £55, simply leave a comment at the bottom of this page and we'll pick a winner next week.

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance (covers cargo bikes), breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK's most ethical provider.

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