Drivers dashing in for auto cameras
FAR Northern motorists are snapping up dashboard cameras in growing numbers for security, insurance and safety measures.
A search on YouTube for “Cairns dashcam” has yielded several videos from across the region – most commonly from the CBD.
Air Sound and Vision manager Errol O’Rourke said there had been an increase in customers inquiring about dashcams.
“We (now) get two-three inquiries a day (about dashcams), compared to one or two a week,” he said.
Mr O’Rourke, who is based at their McLeod St store, said the majority of customers bought the devices to capture people not obeying road rules.
“A lot of people want (cameras with) good resolution,” he said.
“You do have a lot of cameras out there that have a low resolution – so you can’t see a lot.”
He also said some cameras might not have good night vision capabilities.
RACQ’s head of technical and safety policy Steve Spalding said drivers had been buying dashcams for ‘peace of mind’. “If the camera has the right level of features, it can also provide that watchful eye (when the car’s unattended),” he said.
Manoora retiree Ross Grant is one of many people in the Cairns region who owns a dashcam.
He said he mainly installed it for “security on the road”.
“If anyone attacks me or the car, it’s a safeguard,” Mr Grant said.
“It’s also a record which cannot be denied (if used in court).”
Mr Grant has witnessed many cases of bad driving on Cairns roads - including not indicating and incorrect use of roundabouts.
“They are inconsiderate,” he said.
While police forces across Australia have praised the technology, there have been cautions issued over the devices causing distractions.
A driver found to have a distracting visual display unit can be charged with driving without due care and attention and can be fined up to 20 penalty units or a fine of $2669.
Mr Spalding urged drivers to think carefully about where they placed their dashcams inside their cars.
“It cannot obscure vision,” he said.