I’m thinking about getting a Garmin Dezl Cam and been wondering about the best method of placement. I drive different vehicles and so the device must be portable.
Bearing in mind the rules on device placement, is it best to try to screen mount or dash mount it? I imagine its possibly difficult for it to be conveniently visible and yet not obstruct some of the view through the windscreen.
Another question is; can the cam be running but the screen image not be visible?
I believe that having the picture image visible whilst driving would also be illegal.
I have my dash cam at the very top of the screen just off centre and in the sweep of the n/s wiper arm. cable is routed behind panels around windscreen.
I keep the screen on, mainly because I haven’t delved too much into it to find out how to turn it off.
'Dash Cameras and Your Responsibility – Today more and more people are using suction-mounted cameras. They provide an excellent way to record possible accidents, giving clear, unfiltered visual evidence of any collision or other incidents that might occur. In addition, insurers are beginning to offer insurance discounts to drivers that use suction-mounted cameras. Not only do they offer clear-cut evidence in disputes, to some insurers their use also demonstrates a certain commitment to safety and accountability. However, many suction-mounted camera users are not aware that they could be breaking the law. Placement of the camera is actually subject to strict laws and failing to position it correctly is a serious traffic offence. Many drivers – in an attempt to safeguard themselves and drive safely – are actually unwittingly breaking the law. Below, we look at how the law works and how you can avoid running afoul of it. Improper Placement Most people using a suction-mounted camera for the first time will probably think about mounting it somewhere on the windscreen – somewhere with easy visibility and quick access. However, this could actually mean that the driver is already committing a number of possible traffic offences according to the Road Traffic Act 1988. keep a clear screen
Placement of a suction-mounted camera – including the camera itself, any cradle, or suction cups – comes with very detailed and specific rules about placement. Contravening these by even the tiniest amount could result in punishment as prescribed by sections 2 or 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. No part of the device can encroach more than 4cm into the secondary zone, which comprises the pink area, which is the movement arc of the wiper. Furthermore, the law allows for only 1cm of intrusion into the red zone, which represents the primary area of a driver’s view. Allowing a suction-mounted camera, or related components, to infringe on these areas could lead to a charge of dangerous driving or careless driving (insert link). Mounting a suction-mounted camera on the majority of the windscreen means contravening the UK Road Traffic Act 1988. No part of the device – camera, cradle, suction cups and any wires – cannot intrude more than 4cm into the wiper arc of the windscreen. Even stricter, the same components cannot impinge more than 1cm into the ‘red zone’, which comprises the driver’s view. Failing to do this could result in a charge of careless or even dangerous driving in Scotland. The Screen As well as the law prescribing suction-mounted camera placement, there are also serious stipulations around viewing the accompanying LED screen. These stem from The Road Vehicles Regulations 1986. It may seem like common sense to most people that it is a bad idea to look at the LED screen whilst the car is moving. This is the exact same line of reasoning that the law says it is illegal to use a mobile phone or other device whilst driving – the driver’s attention is elsewhere, when driving requires one hundred percent of their concentration. However, there are further stipulations when it comes to the LED screen of a suction-mounted cam. The law actually says that, if the screen is on at any time during a journey and the driver can see it, then this is another serious offence. Any moving image, no matter how small or even if it does not require the driver’s hands to operate, provides a dangerous distraction. The LED screen of the suction-mounted camera also comes under scrutiny in the law. The law says that the screen should not be on if the driver can see it in any way. This could provide a visual distraction and is a serious traffic offence.'[/i]
It seems virtually impossible to have a sat nav turned on and be compliant with the legislation…
Have you tried one of those heavy round bases meant for mounting sat navs on, i had one for ages and just placed it atop the dash in a convenient spot, even the sloping forward dash as found in a Scania, it never moved, no reason why a similar base shouldn’t be ok for a dash cam.
So long as you don’t take the ■■■■■ like some car and van drivers you see with a bloody great prat nav stuck right in their line of sight half way up the screen , the chances of anyone official complaining about it are minimal, if they did its not a fixture so relocate instantly.
I had a dezlcam. You can’t view the video or cam while using satnav…same screen. Can over ride the settings but default are set to legal. I actually sent mine back and got a refund as it was sending me all over and rerouting me for no particular reason. Telling me roads were closed when they werent, telling me to avoid traffic and accidents which weren’t even there. They advised me they were having issues and also changing the way all the traffic reports and updates were being done. I told them that this didn’t help me in the slightest and they couldn’t even give a timescale for updating/fixing it. They had me take screenshots, pictures, diaries of things, had to go into all kinds of settings to send info back to them…just be wary of these issues…I work with a guy who has one as well and he has similar issues so wasn’t a one off fluke. They refunded me no problem as this was an ongoing issue and I was not alone
, the chances of anyone official complaining about it are minimal, if they did its not a fixture so relocate instantly.