Time to take the lead

As a just-about-50-something driver, I still like to believe that I can embrace technology and use it to enable me to drive safely.

I do have issues with modern cars and their apparent disregard for safety. I am talking about dashcams and sat-nav systems and, more specifically, the trail of wires that you have to use to power them.

Surely, as a lot of cars now use a camera-based system for speed sign recognition/pedestrian safety, would it not be an idea for more cars than just the Citroën C3 to use this camera as a dashcam, and save having to trail the lead around the windscreen and under the dash to a USB port by the gearlever?

I have wondered why the R&D departments, which spend millions on interior design, cannot have a USB port right next to the rear-view mirror. You already have power going to interior lights and auto dipping rear-view mirrors, so it’s not a huge logistical issue. The same issue surrounds third-party sat-nav systems. Could we not have a USB port on the top corner of the dash?

I firmly believe that having trailing wires all over the dash and around the main controls has caused accidents in the past and will continue to do so.

I have soldered a USB port and placed it next to the rear-view mirror, and have no dashcam worries. It is now the turn of the manufacturers to take the lead – no pun intended.

Nigel Terry Suffolk