Thread: Dashcam video with GPS speed imprint - court date soon...

Originally Posted by kno3

what baffles me is that insurance companies have not jumped on the video record system- it makes a LOT of sense to have a DVR recording with all the "black box" info for cars. Would it not be indisputable evidence in any accident investigation? Blows my mind they can spend BILLIONS on fraud claims, but wo'nt install a cheap dvr system in their client's cars.

It's called the "Contitutional right to privacy" that keeps them from this. The only recourse the insurance comapnies have is to raise rates.

Michael

Originally Posted by DJiK

Michael, do police officers need to calibrate a Laser Gun with a tuning fork too? Or does that only apply to radar (radio) guns?

I am not familiar with Lidar, since it is not very prevelant here in California, and because I have never been tagged by a Lidar gun.

Michael

Originally Posted by Wiredwrx

I am not familiar with Lidar, since it is not very prevelant here in California, and because I have never been tagged by a Lidar gun.

Michael

Michael - I've been trying to find that information since I decided to challenge. It's a pretty guarded secret (from google, at least).

Tuning forks only work with radio waves (doppler effect). Since laser is comparing one reflected distance to another, this doesn't work. All the 'ticket defense' articles I've read say that the gun must be checked against a calibrated moving target (i.e. another police cruiser). I'm sure they must have some other optical tool they use to verify proper alignment, though. Just wish a helpful laser-experienced cop would chime in here...

Originally Posted by kno3

what baffles me is that insurance companies have not jumped on the video record system- it makes a LOT of sense to have a DVR recording with all the "black box" info for cars. Would it not be indisputable evidence in any accident investigation? Blows my mind they can spend BILLIONS on fraud claims, but wo'nt install a cheap dvr system in their client's cars.

You bring up a good point - not just from an insurance standpoint, but from a consumer perspective as well. Maybe it's just me, but I think if every car manufacturer offered a video DVR as an option - much in the way they now offer XM or Sirius, I think it would be a huge hit. Think of the consequences of knowing that every altercation between one moterist and another is recorded. Better yet, if an officer knew that there's a good chance his next stop will record the events (and speed) as it REALLY was, I think you'd find more LEO's doing checks and double-checks on their equipment. Suddenly their word in court wouldnt' be the only evidence presented.

Originally Posted by NiSlo

Do they record all traffic stops over there? If they do, then wouldn't it have recorded you reveiwing the tape with the officer and already admitting that the system says you were doing 68.3 and 68.5? If that's the case then wouldn't you be better off sticking to your original plan and trying to have the fine reduced?

Don't know if the officers were trustworthy, but they both commented that the County's cars did not have any video recording equipment. Could have been a bluff though. Good point.

Originally Posted by nkotch

Good luck with this. Out of curiosity, what equipment (DVR, etc...) and software are you using to record this and then overlay the speed?

I'll have to get a list together when I get back in town. For now, it's basically five main components - camera ($60), portable DVR ($200), video-overlay box ($120), hand-held GPS receiver ($60),and a 7" LCD monitor ($60).

The DVR is mounted in my sunglass holder, the camera is on the back of my rear-view mirror, the overlay box is under my back seat, and the gps receiver is on teh back dash. It's all hidden. The only thing that you might see (if you know it's there) is the postage stamp-sized camera. The monitor is a real low-profile (1/4" thick) version that clips on to my sunvisor.

The day that insurance companies put cameras/dvr in my car, is the day I no longer drive. The notion is ridiculous (to me). Anyways, cops already have dash cams, so do many commercial vehicles. There is no need for big brother to start putting cameras in your car. You do realize, you will be getting speeding tickets in the mail, 'cause that new so called "camera" will also have capabilities you didn't sign up for. Are people really so eager to give up rights, can you really trust big brother to only take an inch. I have a nasty feeling they will come back for a mile.

I can't speak for anyone else, but the 'option' to have a dash cam would be for the owner's benefit. Any recordings would be put to flash card (mine is SD) and removable. Having it somehow communicate, or relay the information to anyone other than the owner isn't part of my vision. I figure it this way; If the video is to my benefit, I use it. If not, no one needs to know I have it.

I work for an aerospace company and we produce Digital Video Recorders (TransVu) for public transportation (Air/Sea/Land). They work great as security systems because if someone opens your door and you have access to the internet, you can have pictures emailed to your phone and at the same time you could type up www.mycarblahblah.com and see where your car is and such.. pretty wild... anyway, DVR's wont be standard for a few years because most of the stuff available to the public is crap and breaks easy and the good stuff is really expensive there are also insurance liabilities with having devices like that distracting the driver.

Just this evening on ABC Evening News they had a story on Drivecam cameras that will be offered for free to parents who insure teenage drivers. This is exactly what I was after with my camera - an extra witness for when something goes wrong.

BTW, take a look at the attached image. This is a screen grab from me driving past a portable radar-based speed sign. Notice how my GPS imprint and the display are DEAD-ON? You'd think my GPS would be 4MPH slower. Hmpf...

Court date was yesterday. Judge reduced citation from 72 to 68 based on the video evidence. Also withheld points. Probably the fairest of outcomes. In the end, my speed infraction went from 17 over to 13 over, and my insurance company won't know.

On the down side, less than 24 hours after my court date, my wife was pulled over - doing 18 over. No dash-cam or GPS. It won't be here until next week

Good work on this. It's inspired me to try and put this kind of setup into my car.