National Dash Cam Day 2025: Why You Shouldn’t Drive Without One

National Dash Cam Day falls on 4 August, giving us the opportunity to spotlight how dash cams and helmet cameras are improving road safety across the UK.

With millions of motorists and cyclists now using recording devices, these cameras are becoming an increasingly important tool for deterring dangerous driving and supporting legal claims after an accident.

What Is a Dash Cam?

A dash cam is a compact video camera mounted to a vehicle’s dashboard or windscreen. It records everything that happens on the road ahead and sometimes behind.

Helmet cameras, commonly worn by cyclists and motorcyclists, serve the same purpose but from the rider’s point of view. They are particularly useful for vulnerable road users who can face greater risks on the road.

 Dash Cam Use Is at Record Levels

UK roads are seeing a surge in dash cam usage. According to the National Dash Cam Safety Portal:

• Over 24,000 reports were submitted to police using dash cam footage in the first half of 2024

• More than 135,000 motoring offences have been reported through the portal since 2019

• In 2023, dash cam and helmet cam footage submissions increased by 30%

• Nearly 70% of footage submissions led to police action, from warnings to prosecutions

These numbers show the growing trust the public places in dash cam footage as a reliable form of evidence.

 Why More Drivers Are Installing Dash Cams

Research by UK dash cam manufacturer Nextbase reveals that 70% of British drivers believe dash cams should be standard in all vehicles. The reasons are clear:
• They help prevent dangerous driving by making road users more accountable and offer clear evidence in the event of an accident
• Some insurers reduce premiums for drivers who use dash cams

Many motorists also report feeling safer knowing their journeys are being recorded.

Proving Fault After a Collision

When an accident occurs, dash cam footage can be vital for proving what actually happened. It is especially useful when there are no independent witnesses, when drivers give conflicting accounts, or when an incident occurs in areas without CCTV.

Solicitors and police increasingly rely on dash cam footage to establish fault more quickly and fairly, which can lead to your claim settled faster and more successful prosecutions.

Helmet Cameras Help Protect Cyclists and Motorcyclists

Riders are often more seriously injured in collisions compared to car drivers. Helmet cameras give them a way to document incidents from their perspective.

In many cases, this footage may be the only available evidence of how a crash occurred, especially in areas with no witnesses or security cameras. Helmet cams are proving particularly valuable in urban areas, where close passes, dooring incidents and aggressive driving are more common.

How Dash Cam Footage Supports Personal Injury Claims in Scotland

At Gildeas Solicitors, we understand how vital clear evidence can be when pursuing a personal injury claim following a road traffic accident. Dash cam footage is increasingly playing a central role in helping our clients across Scotland secure fair compensation.

Whether you’re a driver, cyclist, or pedestrian, dash cam footage can help demonstrate exactly what happened during an incident. This is particularly useful when there are no independent witnesses, or where the parties involved give conflicting accounts.

In personal injury claims, it is crucial to establish who was at fault. We routinely request dash cam or helmet cam footage from clients and police reports. When necessary, we also work with accident reconstruction experts to review the footage in detail.

This evidence can make a significant difference in claims involving:
• Serious injury or long-term recovery needs
• Lost earnings due to time off work
• Access to specialist medical treatment or rehabilitation
• Bereavement or psychological trauma following a fatal collision

Dash cam footage can provide the clarity and confidence needed to move a case forward, particularly in situations where liability is disputed.

As a firm with decades of experience representing clients throughout Glasgow, Edinburgh and across Scotland, we know how important strong evidence can be in a case.

If you’ve been involved in an accident and believe dash cam footage may help, we encourage you to contact Gildeas Solicitors as early as possible so we can begin gathering the necessary information.

Final Thoughts

While dash cams can’t prevent all accidents, they are helping to change driver behaviour. Knowing that reckless driving could be recorded and reported is encouraging more drivers to think twice before taking risks.

National Dash Cam Day is a reminder of just how important dash cams and helmet cameras have become on UK roads.

They help hold dangerous drivers to account, provide essential evidence in legal claims, and support a growing culture of responsibility and safety among road users.

Whether you’re behind the wheel or on two wheels, a dash cam could prove to be one of the most valuable tools you invest in this year.