Why a Dash Cam is a Smart Purchase for Couriers

A dash cam is a device that self employed drivers can benefit from greatly. It acts as an eyewitness, but can also deter criminals, lower insurance and more.

There are endless gadgets, apps and pieces of technology in the motor industry today that can be of great use to couriers. For self employed drivers, there is one piece of kit without which you should never hit the road, as it yields a handful of benefits. Of course, we’re talking about the dashboard video camera (otherwise known as the ‘dash cam’)!

These cameras sit on your dashboard and record audio and video of what is happening on the road ahead, to the side and behind you. In addition to recording your beautiful singing voice, these devices are handy, as they can provide indisputable evidence of accidents and incidents on the roads. There are around three million of these in use in the UK, most of which are used by professional drivers. After all, it is certainly worth paying for one of these devices when your livelihood is at stake.

Need convincing? Here are a few reasons why self employed drivers should invest in a dash cam.

Evidence

The key benefit is that a dash cam is, essentially, an eyewitness in your car that allows you to prove that you are not at fault in the case of an accident or incident. This will protect you from unwarranted liability and could save you an enormous sum of money, which is desirable for professional and non-professional drivers alike.

Safety

Dash cams act as a great deterrent to criminals, as they know that they could easily be identified if they damage or attempt to steal your car. This is particularly useful for self employed drivers who may keep valuable items in their vehicles overnight. Not all models can record when the vehicle is unattended and turned off, so be sure to check this when you’re shopping for one. However, even if your camera does not record when the automobile is empty and off, criminals won’t necessarily know that!

Insurance

Dash cam footage is now accepted as proof of liability and innocence by insurance companies. This means that premiums and excess do not increase because of an “at blame” claim. In addition to this, some insurance companies will offer discounted rates to commercial drivers who use a dash cam.

Analysis

Those who drive for a living should always look for ways to improve their driving. In addition to staying safe, this can help you to be more efficient and save money on running costs. A dash cam provides motorists with the ability to analyse their own driving in a relaxed environment, which allows you to identify bad habits and areas that could be improved. On top of this, many motorists find that they drive with greater care when they install a dash cam, as they are aware that they are being recorded.

Choosing a Dash Cam

There are many different dash cams on the market to consider. Much like anything, you get what you pay for, so it is worth spending a little bit more on a commercial-grade model. This should use a capacitor instead of a battery for greater longevity and have a polarising filter so that reflection is not an issue. These features will provide you with an extra set of eyes on the road and could come to save you a huge amount of money if you are ever involved in an incident that is not your fault.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Courier Exchange, the world's largest neutral trading hub for same day courier jobs in the express freight exchange industry. Over 4,800 trans-port exchange businesses are networked together through their website, trading jobs and capacity in a safe 'wholesale' environment.