Modern technologies and electronic assistants help to reduce the number of car accidents. However, driver aggression is increasing. You must have experienced someone threatening your safety by dangerously overtaking you at a blind corner and punishing you by slamming on the brakes. In the past, car cameras were in cars of driving enthusiasts who wanted to have a record from their journey just for their pleasure, nowadays you can find car cameras in the vehicles of many other drivers. They can help you in the event of an accident to easily prove who broke the rules.

Have you decided to have a camera in your car? The easiest way would be to have it installed by car manufacturers. But you need not worry; you can install it without the assistance of a service technician as well.

I WANT A CAR CAMERA. BUT IS IT LEGAL?

It is, but not everywhere. In the Czech Republic, you can place a camera into your car under clearly specified conditions. However, recording devices are not legal in neighboring Austria. And in Germany, the situation differs in each federal state. In the Czech Republic, the location of a car camera is governed by a regulation and it depends on the court if the record can be used in a trial.

The regulation is clear enough: the camera must not be in the driver’s field of vision. Therefore, it must be placed on the dashboard or on the rear-view mirror. When installing the car camera, remember to record all the essentials, i.e. the lane with oncoming cars. Plus the side of the road where there may be pedestrians. Attach the camera to the dashboard or to the rear-view mirror on the front windshield, depending on the suction cup type. Turn it on and you can start recording. But what about the power?

YOU DON´T WANT TO LOOK AT A TANGLE OF CABLES? HIDE THEM

Car cameras often have a short battery life. This is due to the effort of their manufacturers to keep them small in dimension and weight. And due to safety, too. High volume batteries would expand in a hot car in the summer and would damage the camera. The power supply is often resolved by using a charger or a connection to a source by USB. The cable is sufficiently long to reach the car cigarette lighter. But not everyone is fine with a cable that gets in the way when driving. Or they do not want to “disfigure” the interior of an expensive car. The cable can easily be attached by means of suction cups to the edge of the upholstery and under the window sealing.