The power of dashcams

Romar Fernando

May 26, 2021

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  Photo Credit: Fox Business

  Have you experienced being involved in a minor accident and the other party seemed to blame you for the fault they’ve caused? Then, you’ve insisted your right because the accident was caught in video through a dashcam installed in your car.

  Here in Metro Manila, these kinds of accidents are common because traffic situations are always bad. Transport-related crimes are prevalent as well. So, the benefits of dashcam can be even bigger.

  Three years ago, this prevailing power of dashcams was once discussed by a Top Gear Philippines writer Jason Tulio.

  “Due to the chaotic lawlessness that persists on our roads, dashcam footage can easily go viral on social media. It’s easy to get riled up over a counter-flowing jeepney, or an abusive motorist who thinks they own the streets. Perhaps as a reaction to these incidents, motorists want to safeguard themselves against the abuses that happen all too often on public roads.” Tulio explaining the role of publishing dashcam videos to social media.

  

  Photo Credit: Top Gear Philippines

  “One benefit of dashcams is that they can record events as they unfold. For example, in the event of an accident where the involved parties can’t come to terms over who’s at fault, the footage can provide an objective look at what really happened,” he added.

  Just few days ago, wrong ticketing incident happened involving a student and a traffic enforcer in the city of Manila. The driver was blamed to violate traffic rule of beating the red light in an intersection. It is contrary on what the dashcam video is saying. All traffic lights were green that moment. The traffic enforcer insisted that a violation is committed and the driver’s license should be surrendered. On the day of redemption of license, the driver filed a complaint to the traffic bureau’s office and the enforcer was found guilty of abuse. The bureau’s chief also discovered that the same enforcer has committed the same wrongdoing twice.

  

  Screenshot from: Miguel Vistan

  Tulio explained that being a good driver is still best armor against Metro Manila’s unpredictable roads and inconsistent policies. “Defensive driving, knowledge of the road rules, and common sense are just as potent as any gadget,” he said.

  Thinking that dashcams can be used to help prevent accidents and decrease transport-related crimes, some lawmakers have authored bill requiring public utility vehicles to install dashcams in their units. Tulio believed that it is in the right direction towards the improvement of road safety and consistent policy making in the country.

  Better be safe then sorry if you own a vehicle. Dashcams proved that it bring more good than harm.

  Drive safe!

   

  Posted by Miguel Vistan on Saturday, May 22, 2021

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