Dashcams

mickysf replied on 04/10/2024 09:31

Posted on 04/10/2024 09:31

On a recent journey down the Northumberland A1 I witnessed a piece of appalling driving which quite honestly was both frightening and annoying. I hasten to add that I was in no way involved in this in anyway. Totally unconnected was another unseen accident ahead of us, some 10 minutes later which caused the closure of the southbound road for some time. I guess many of us here on CT have witnessed similar when out and about on our tours.

This morning I saw an article on TV about camera footage of similar poor driving taken from bicycles and cars being submitted to the police.  I have seen quite a few motorhomes this year with dash cams and I am wondering now what is the reasoning behind this. Do any other caravaners or motorhomers have dashcams and if so how are they being used and for what purpose?

Article here

DEBSC replied on 07/10/2024 16:37

Posted on 07/10/2024 16:37

We got our original dash cam years ago, we towed the caravan at the time and found that some drivers when waiting to pull out of a side road or a roundabout would see the caravan and try to shoot out before us, presumably not wanting to get behind a caravan, this happened once too often hence the dash cam. Now we use them on both our cars. What concerns me quite often is drivers tailgating, one woman recently followed me for some miles and if she had got any closer she would have been touching my car, we were in a long line of traffic all going at the same speed so really can’t think why the need, it was very unnerving. I’ve also noticed more recently the drivers that deliberately pull into the right hand lane before going straight across at a roundabout and then speeding up to cut in front of the driver on the inside lane also going straight on, I think that is aggressive driving.

TimboC replied on 07/10/2024 19:00

Posted on 07/10/2024 19:00

I have a dashcam fitted, and it gives me peace of mind that should I ever be in an accident, it will record what happened.

I have sent videos to police on two occasions.

One, the driver was holding his mobile phone up to his face as he swerved down the road towards me, and requiring me to take avoiding avoiding action.

Two, I was approaching a blind end that had 'hatchings' on the road to the right, and a van overtook me at about 70mph, kicking up the dirt in the hatched area as he did so.

Both were prosecuted, and deservedly so IMHO.

And no, I'm not perfect either. 2 weeks after the second I was caught doing 35mph in a 30, and got to spend an afternoon in a classroom

 

 

NutsyH replied on 17/10/2024 10:01

Posted on 04/10/2024 14:31 by DavidKlyne

I think assertive is probably the correct word, maybe confident could be used, in the sense that you have to act in a way that other road users are aware of your intentions, having, of course, due consideration for other road users and driving firmly within the law. Aggressive driving is usually demonstrated by a complete lack of consideration for others and can be very dangerous? It may well depend on where you live in the country and the type of roads you generally use. Here in MK everyone lives within a minute of road with national speed limits so much higher speeds than are generally found in most urban areas, I add that just for context.

David

Posted on 17/10/2024 10:01

David

Slightly off topic, but I drive around MK every Saturday when I go to watch my grandson play footie - there seems to be a kids footie team in every "village" that comprise greater MK - and I think all those dual carriageways with 70 limits are fantastic. Very rarely see a queue, and driving is so easy around there. Wish Oxfordshire was the same.

Paul

DavidKlyne replied on 17/10/2024 15:59

Posted on 17/10/2024 10:01 by NutsyH

David

Slightly off topic, but I drive around MK every Saturday when I go to watch my grandson play footie - there seems to be a kids footie team in every "village" that comprise greater MK - and I think all those dual carriageways with 70 limits are fantastic. Very rarely see a queue, and driving is so easy around there. Wish Oxfordshire was the same.

Paul

Posted on 17/10/2024 15:59

Paul

MK is very easy to get around and because it is built on a grid there is always an easy alternative route to where you are going. Back in 1979 I could drive to work on a Saturday without passing another car. Things are very different now with far greater volumes of traffic especially during the week. The spine road from Great Linford joins the H3 or A422 if you prefer which is the main Buckingham-Bedford road and we often have to wait a while to get across the road at certain times of day. I don't think you will every see anything like MK built in the future simply because it was built with the car in mind. Even as we ever expand in all directions they are not replicating the road infrastructure of the original design. In some ways I am surprised the roads have remained at the national speed limit, no doubt that will change in time?

David

 

near Malvern Hills Club Campsite Member photo by Andrew Cole

Book a late escape

There's still availability at many popular UK Club campsites - find your perfect pitch today for a last minute trip!

Book now
Woman sitting in camping chair by Wastwater in the Lake District with her two dogs and picnic blanket

Follow us on Facebook

Follow the Caravan and Motorhome Club via our official Facebook page for latest news, holiday ideas, events, activities and special offers.

Photo of Wast Water, Lake District by Sue Peace
Visit Facebook