Why aren’t factory fitted dash cams standard in all new cars?
April 23, 2025
Imagine a cheap technology that can help prove your innocence in a collision, protect you from insurance fraud, and encourage safer driving - and yet it’s still not fitted as standard in most new cars. Welcome to the curious case of the dash cam.
Dash cams have quietly become motoring's de facto black box: Over half of UK motorists now use one. Whether you’re navigating congested urban streets or freeflowing country roads, these little cameras can be an invaluable witness if something goes wrong. But here’s the thing - while many new cars boast touchscreens, reversing sensors and lane-keeping gizmos, very few offer built-in cameras, even as an optional extra.
Why aren’t more cars fitted with dash cams?
It’s not that the technology isn’t readily available, and cheap. Manufacturers have long had the capacity to install forward and rear-facing cameras that record continuously while driving. But while some high-end models do include “drive recorders” or “event cameras”, these are few and far between.
Could it be that that an industry that lobbied against speed limiters and event data recorders fears dashcmas open the way for mandatory monitoring of driver behaviour? Or maybe it’s just more profitable to sell you glitzy LED headlights and fancy alloy wheels?
Dashcam insurance discounts
Given dashcams can provide clear, time-stamped video evidence of a collision - helping settle claims quickly and accurately - you might expect insurers to be all over them. A few providers offer incentives, but most appear to overlook the tech, despite the obvious benefits for drivers. After all, a dashcam helps establish fault and prevent so-called crash-fo-cash scams cost the insurance industry - and by extension, policyholders - over £100m each year fraudulent claims.
It’s a missed opportunity. Much like breakdown cover is a staple for drivers, dashcams should be up there too - a basic part of your motoring toolkit.
Win a dash cam
Technology that can help make driving safer and fairer shouldn’t be an optional extra - it should be standard. With that in mind, we’re giving away the dual front and rear dashcam pictured above. It's packed with features including loop recording, G-sensor, parking monitoring, motion detection, and low-light capability.
Simply leave a comment at the bottom of this page and we'll pick a winner next week.
The ethical choice
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Information correct at time of publication.
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