Dashboard cameras ‘could cut crime’

In-car cameras are a useful tool against crime, and could help turn the tables on the crooks running “crash-for-cash” rackets.
That, at least, is the view of nearly three out of every four drivers – and more than a quarter of those polled believe the cameras should be compulsory.
Of those drivers who already have the cameras on their dashboards, about 60% have them to keep a record of any accident – and a fifth have had them installed specifically to protect themselves against crash-for-cash criminals.
Crash-for-cash usually involves gangs who deliberately cause “accidents” and then claim compensation from the victim, who is often deemed to be technically at fault.
Industry body the Association of British Insurers reckons that bogus claims rose by a third last year, with the £2bn in whiplash claims adding £90 a year on to the average car-insurance premium.
Pete Williams, of the RAC, which carried out the survey of motorists, said: “Accident cameras or in-car cameras are commonplace in some countries where unscrupulous driving practices are a more regular occurrence.
“With ‘crash-for-cash’ crimes unfortunately becoming more prevalent on UK roads, motorists are looking to in-car cameras to protect themselves from being taken advantage of.
“As long as they are used correctly, dashboard cameras are a valuable record of the circumstances that occurred around an accident, and as such can help to reduce the cost of personal injury claims which, in turn, should ultimately reduce the cost of insurance.”