However, there is some debate as to whether this footage can be used against you in court. In this blog post, we’ll explore the answer to this.
What are the UK laws about dash cameras?
Under UK law, it is legal to use a dash camera while driving. However, there are some restrictions in place regarding what you can do with the footage that you capture. For example, you are not allowed to share footage of an accident or incident without the permission of those involved.
Can the footage they capture be used against you?
There are also laws in place regarding how dash cam footage can be used as evidence. In order for footage to be admissible in court, it must be of good quality and must not have been tampered with in any way. This means that you cannot edit or enhance the footage in any way before sharing it with the authorities.
The explanation
Most people are aware of the benefits of using a dash camera. They can provide protection against false insurance claims, they can help improve your driving by providing feedback on your performance, and they can even be used to capture footage of scenic routes or memorable journeys. However, there is one question that we get asked a lot here at Viofo, and that is “can dash cam footage be used against you in court?”
The answer to this question is unfortunately not a straightforward one. While there are no concrete laws in the UK surrounding the use of dash cam footage, there have been several cases where this footage has been used as evidence – both for and against the driver. Which have a full breakdown of dash camera laws and such here.
There has been a variety of cases surrounding this topic, so we will provide an example. A motorist involved in a road collision was able to use dash cam footage to prove that he was not at fault for an accident. The footage showed that the other driver had pulled out in front of him, causing the collision. This resulted in the insurance company having to pay out for the damages to his car, as well as his legal fees.
On the other hand, there have been cases where dash cam footage has been used against the driver. One notable example is of a man who was prosecuted for dangerous driving after he was recorded speeding and overtaking dangerously on several occasions. The footage from his dash camera was used as evidence against him in court, and he was ultimately found guilty and sentenced to a driving ban.
The bottom line
So, as you can see, the answer to the question “can dash cam footage be used against you in court?” is not a simple one. While there are no definite laws in place regarding the use of dash camera footage, it has previously been used both for and against drivers in several different cases.
Dash camera footage can definitely be used as evidence, however, if you choose to use the dash camera footage you have provided, you may find you also implicate yourself and provide evidence of your own dangerous driving. While we stand by the fact that dash cameras are built for this very reason, it is important to consider this prior to offering any of your footage as it may end up hurting you in the process.
If you are ever involved in an accident or incident on the roads, it is always best to seek legal advice before using any dash cam footage as evidence.
