Wary drivers fuel growing demand for dashcams in Japan

I think people with dash cams look for trouble so they can film it. Bikers especially looking at the footage on the internet

i use the footage collected from mine as ammunition against the occasional overzealous cop. I have been stopped a few times for failure to stop behind the white line or come to a complete stop when I clearly know I have. While in the patrol car listening to the officer lecture me on the danger I have caused I ask him if I can see the film from the video camera and when the officer says they don’t have one (the police in Tomakomai rarely have dashboard cams) I say that’s too bad. Then I take the ticket, go home and just check the film from my wide angle, high-definition camera. If I’m in the wrong—and more often than not I am—then I pay the fine like a responsible citizen but if the tape tells a different story I make a copy of the tape and return to the police station.

I've used my GoPro as a dash cam for a few years now. I haven't really had to use the footage for anything legal, but I have got some great footage of butt-heads doing ridiculous things worthy of immortalising on FaceBook.

In addition to driving assist functions, Sompo Japan Nipponkoa's service will also diagnose the policyholder's driving skills by allowing them to review their driving afterward on the insurer's internet site.

This is what you should be afraid of. Third-party looking at your footage without your consent or knowledge.

If I’m in the wrong—and more often than not I am—then I pay the fine like a responsible citizen

Sam Watters - when you allude to many run-ins with the cops - which you admittedly say is your fault - perhaps you need to admit your driving skills are to blame.

@sam, usually jcops don't give a monkeys about bad driving unless an injury occurs. So it sounds as if your local plod are harassing citizens or bored. Good on you to record.

Forgot the potential for hacking, state monitoring and increased insurance premiums.

Can anyone explain why drivers in accidents where people are injured are criminalised in this country whereas in many other countries these genuine accidents are treated as accidents without driver being charged with a criminal offence and landing in jail???

I enjoy watching them dashcam videos on youtube from China, where people purposely jump in front of cars to collect a payday. The cameras should be standard on all cars.

@shogun. 10 years ago the chimpira used to do this in japanese red light districts quite frequently. it is not a chinese thing. luckily, it was exposed that the police had a certain arrangement, after that i have never heard it happening again.