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#21 ·
My brother called the police once they were on the side of the road. Philadelphia cops won't appear for a minor fender bender. They asked him if any one was hurt or if either of the vehicles needed to be towed. After Jim answered no to both questions, he got a sorry you're having a bad day, goodbye. The bimmer guy also called, and they said we already had a reported accident there and they weren't coming out unless there was an injury or a tow truck needed.
 
Discussion starter · #22 ·
Avoiding trouble. Cheap patches for my Levi

Locally, there's a rash of pedestrian-car injuries and deaths. As well, cops are warning drivers to avoid direct personal confrontations with a rash of road rages. Methinks these sudden rashes are partially due to the adjustment back to standard time, and rainy weather. Drivers are more grumpy with shortened daylight, and jaywalkers hide behind umbrellas, etc. The cops are having problem tracking down the road rage idiots because of insufficient descriptions.

While I wouldn't want to get involve with any traffic mishaps, my car cam will be a bit of extra CYA documentation insurance. With the impending arrival of the first snowfall, there will be the perenniel demolition derby hitting the area. Many drivers will have forgotten how to drive in the snow. Another CYA occasion.

In the grand scheme of things, I pay $1500 annually for mandatory car insurance. The one time $120 for a CYA cam is equivalent of 2.3 tanks of gaz here. Cheap patches for my Levi.


Todd. fwiw. Ontario cops are like Philly's. They won't attend a minor fender bender if no personal injury. We could go to the Collision Reporting center for documentation. Ontario has a no-fault mandatory auto insurance system to reduce bickering lawyer fees. Each party's insurance company will pay the damage (less deductibles). Then the companies will assign blames/faults to the drivers; and future premium increases kicks in on the offending driver. Blames can vary from zero to 100%. All companies share a common industry database. Some drivers may later sue if they disagree with the assigned blames, or the payout amounts.

This no-fault insurance system is good and bad. It does reduce the lawyer-ing immediately after the collision, and some damages will be paid. The insurers' subsequent assignments of faults are debatable unless you have water-proof evidences. That why many folks will swallow their minor damage cost without involving the insurers, lest the incidence is added to the database.

One unlucky driver reported a broken turn signal lens to the insurer, but received no payout as it was less than his deductible. Nevertheless the teary driver faced a 50% premium hike next year, because the insurer deemed him to be accident-prone (klutzy) ! This driver had have previously made a number of similar dumb claims.
 
#23 ·
They do not come to minor crashes here either, except for me, cause I refuse to move my vehicle until; they come and write it up. I've had a couple instances in my life where after moving vehicles to the side of the road the other driver lied, and there was no way to tell what occurred once the vehicles were moved. Believe me they do come when you block traffic.

I have a cool HD video camera, and I have a clamp type holder for cameras, but something better would be cool. I'd like it for videos, off road and on. Not sure I'd use it in daily commutes though.

And I do like seeing other folks videos too.
 
#24 ·
I think if there had been a camera in my car when I got in my accident two things would have happened:

1: It would have been one more flying object to whack me in the head.
2: Watching the footage would make my already horrible nightmares much more vivid.

But best of luck with the project...
 
Discussion starter · #25 ·
Snapshots, Anchor

dixiedawg ... where after moving vehicles to the side of the road the other driver lied, and there was no way to tell what occurred once the vehicles were moved...

Yep, like the judge quipped on 'subjective truths', we can bet that everybody will conveniently lie. Since everyone would be rattled mentally and physically after a collision, I'm thinking of a prepared protocol of actions.

1/ Quick assessment of injuries & damages.

2/ Phone the cops. Let them shoo me away. I won't be accused of hit & run.

3/ Snap lotsa photos from all angles, including the lane markings, skid marks, parked cars for distance references. Also sneak some photos of the other driver & passengers.

4/ Exchange license & insurance info with the other guy.

5/ Let the other guy gives statement to the cop FIRST, and hope that he lies thru his teeth.

6/ Then I give my side of the story with photos and video (à la Perry Mason with the surprise evidence at the end). ;)

I hope the cop will catch the guy with his feet in his mouth. While my snapping photos may temper the guy's statement, he will still try to twist the story in his favor. Best that he doesn't know about the camcorder when he gives his statement to the cop.

That reminds me to add a camera flash feature in my next cell phone upgrade. For night mishaps.


Weatherman ...one more flying object to whack me in the head...

Good point on flying projectiles; that's like getting smash in the face with a hockey puck or a hard ball at over 100 mph. The camera must be securely anchored for any sudden smack. My camera is a poor-man's black-box to compliment the OEM black-box recorder for any post-crash disputes. Easy to forget the ultimate survival of the camera. Mount consideration is not trivial.
 
Discussion starter · #26 ·
Wear-able camera - easy mounting

Davo... Here is a neat little camera that you wear like a hearing aid. It records about 5 hours worth of video.

http://www.looxcie.com/
Click to expand...
This a an example of a neat wear-able camcorder that is on the market. The reviews said the looxcie functions as a como of Bluetooth device and 480x320 cam. Other wear-ables are promoted as 'spy' cams in the form of sunglasses, pens, baseball caps. All certainly solves the question of mounting.

The upside, wear-able cams can be easily and inconspicuously 'mounted' on the driver's head. A quick and dirty implementation of a car cam.

The downsides: the cam mounted on the driver's head will be partially blocked by the rear view mirror; and for now, uncertain product quality.

An indicator of poor product quality is the rapid price reductions on some spy cams; eg. a sunglasses cam sold online for $150 two months ago, is now offered for $30 by a jobber! Check the web with tags: "spy cam", "mini cam" Many online sellers promote these products for CYA, fun, and checking on the spouse. One site even shows 'juicey' youtubes.

I think this early wave of 'spy' cams is still in the novelty gimmick stage like handshake buzzers. People are buying them for a lark. But be patient. Some of these mini cams will improve over time, and may even approach 007 quality.

Nevertheless, some mini cams are cheap enough to buy for experimentation in your Jeep during the snowy drives and at the company Xmas party. LOL.
 
Discussion starter · #27 ·
camera, behaviors

Last Tuesday, the city had a huge funeral for a cop who was killed by a stolen rampaging snow plow truck. A nutbar jumped into the unattended idling snow plow while the driver went for coffee on a snowy 5am. Lotsa cops from across the country and from the States silently marched thru the main street for the funeral. Impressive solidarity.

The accused is charged with murder 1. The video from in car camera will be an important piece of evidence in court.

http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2011/01/19/16955196.html

Other than a few sketchy comments, the video is being saved for court time. It is surprising that the frontline cops were initially very resistant of having the camera installed in the vehicle. Now they are more accepting of the cameras as a tool to fend off frivolous complaints, and improving the conviction rate. i.e. CYA value.

The initial resistance by the cops may be due to their fear of excessive time recorded at the donut shop parking lots. Even I cleaned up my language when being cut off by some a$$hole because of my camera/recorder. If I need to present my video (with sound) to police/court, any intemperate language may lead the authority to suspect that I have some anger or road-rage tendency. The camera moderates our behaviors. LOL

btw, It takes 27 secs to mount the camera routinely at the beginning of each trip, just as I routinely put on the seat belt and check the mirrors. Thankfully, I have not run into smacks or dings to use the videos this winter. I usually over-write the old video files. I had a few footage of other guys' spin-outs. Things happen very quickly.
 
#28 ·
#29 ·
Did any of you see the video of the guy who had the camera in his car when the police were harrasing him? He was stopped at a park and ride lot one night waiting to pick up his girlfriend after work. A police officer pulled up and started giving him a hard time because there had been a lot of crime in the area and wouldnt accept his explanation of why he was there. Things escalated and the officer told him flat out that he would arrest him and make up whatever charges he wanted and there wasnt anything the kid could do about it. The kid told the officer that he had the camera on recording the entire conversation, and the officer told him that he would make the camera "disappear." The kid then explained to the officer that it wouldn't matter because the camera was recording to a computer somewhere else. (Doesn't really matter if it was or not, the cop believed him) The officer then began the most impressive backpedal that I've ever seen, apologizing and stating that he was just concerned for the kids safety, and that he didn't mean to threaten him. Well the kid promptly turned the footage over to the local news, and the friendly officer wound up in quite a bit of hot water. So, I suppose the camera saved the kid from being arrested on some trumped up charge by a less than civil servant.
 
Discussion starter · #30 ·
cheap silent alarm camera?

Todde702..
Found these real cheap, though I don't know how great the video quality would be. But it does come with a bunch of different mounts and straps.

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?inv...-100MC&cat=CAM
Click to expand...
Yeah, I almost ordered that same micro-cam last Sept for $160+ when I started this project. The specs were impressive and a bunch of mounting accessories thrown in to boot!. I backed off after reading some reviews from owners complaining about product reliability. The product quality issue is borne out by the rapid sliding price. At the current $20 price may be ok for a test. I hope the Chinese will fix the reliability problem in the next generation of this camera.

A reliable version of this micro-camcorder may have a use beyond a forward-pointing camera. How about also using it as a security camera when parked? .. pointed sideways out of the driver's window? The sound activation feature would serve as a form of silent alarm, recording the face of a break-in artist (or a jerk who dings the Jeep with his door). At a cheap price, I can install a camera on each side?

Of course there are other things to consider, including extreme cabin temperature. Any thoughts?
 
Discussion starter · #31 ·
Cameras, cameras everywhere

Weatherman...So, I suppose the camera saved the kid from being arrested on some trumped up charge by a less than civil servant.
Click to expand...
Yes, an open mike/camera is a double edge sword that saved the kid, and stifled the uncivil cop.

Today's paper's front page shows a Toronto transit bus driver texting while the loaded bus was moving at 50 km/hr (30 mph). The photo was taken by a worried passenger with his iPhone. There is an uproar over safety and professionalism. Recall the fatality caused by a Boston(?) commuter train driver texting and crashing.

http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2011/01/28/17068261.html

My point is that there are cameras everywhere in today's public places, be it on the streets, in the little ma & pop stores, or in almost everyone's cellphones. Our litigious society together with the inexpensive technologies promote the widespread presence of cameras that can be used for surveillance. It's not just Big Brother watching, it's all the Little Brothers who are watching too.

Just assume that all our actions in public places are on someone's Candid Camera. Scary.

So, Have your camera to tell your side of the story. A good offense is good defense?
 
#32 ·
Here's some video from a professional rear view mirror system. Pricey but looks like it takes great video and audio. However, the driver(s) are just terrible. I think these videos would do more to incriminate the driver then the people/cars caught on the video.


Watch at 1:29 where he just runs right into a pedestrian.
 
Discussion starter · #33 ·
double edge sword

todde702...I think these videos would do more to incriminate the driver then the people/cars caught on the video.
Click to expand...
Yep, a car camera is a double edge sword. The camera records all my driving habits too. It's like having a driving tester sitting next to me when I initially went for my license... watching for every driving flaws: e.g. rolling slowly thru stop signs, dashing thru yellow lights.

I saw my bad habits after replaying many footages in the comfort of home. Then I realized that the authorities may not be sympathetic to me if I need to build video evidence against other drivers. I better drive by-the-book to appear squeaky clean. My granny will approve.

Oh yes, I better clean up my language for the open mike. I'm learning a whole set of vocabulary like Sugar!, Gosh! that will not offend a judge.:D

btw. Haha, the kamikazi drivers in the Taipei video are a hoot. Many of the side-swipes were in light traffic settings too. Of course, the subject driver could conveniently omit the 1:29 footage; or could argue that the pedestrian was jaywalking!;)
 
Discussion starter · #34 ·
Little Brothers' cameras

The pervasive availability of cameras in public places is often overlooked. Aside from the security camera installed by authorities and commercial establishments/vehicles, there are lotsa cameras in everybody's pockets. We must be aware of our own actions in all public places, just as our mother taught us. This is the new normal.

I have to assume that some other guys have car camera watching my driving pattern too. Best to drive by-the-book. It's safer too. Cop car camera can easily record folks creeping thru stop signs. No need to challenge the cops' words in traffic court.

Last week 3 different transit bus drivers were caught texting while driving. They were caught on cell phone camera by passengers; the photos were splashed in the local papers. Today we heard that the 3 drivers were fired.

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/931262--texting-ttc-drivers-fired?bn=1

Seems harsh, but the transit authorities had no choice. Everybody were amply warned over a year ago. It's also the 1st anniversary of the no-hand-held usage law in Ontario. Many car drivers still seems to ignore this law, since it's so difficult to enforce... until sh*t happens. Do we tolerate drunk drivers?
 
Discussion starter · #35 ·
Cop nabbed

A local cop pled guilty for excessive force & threat to a couple of prisoners in the backseat of his cruiser. The video camera that points to the backseat picked up the action and audio when the cop pointed the taser against the guy's nads.

http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/a...cle/934863--police-officer-pleads-guilty-to-threatening-two-men-with-taser?bn=1

Toronto cop car has 2 video cameras: One pointing out forward near the rearview mirror; another internal camera mounted near the top base of the rearview mirror pointing to the backseat. Most taxis have the internal cameras.

The aggressive cop forgot about the candid camera. As the proper Admiral Nelson would have quipped: The chap was hoisted by his own petard (from the French word "pet" for flatulence). Speaking of which, the sounds of last night's Superbowl pizza & beer would be picked up by the said camcorder. LOL
 
#36 · (Edited)
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Discussion starter · #37 ·
Nice camera specs - GoPro

TJ99er...getting (GoPro) for the trails... they offer a few mounting options to.. and weather protection for outside
Click to expand...
This GoPro Hero camera seems to be a cool product; with a bunch of mounts thrown in too. The specs are about twice better than my JVC pocket camera used as a car camera. The battery time and optical angle width is twice mine.

Seems like the supplied "J" buckle mount can be on the forward side of the rearview mirror. The GoPro pic on their website has the camera mounted inside the fog light cavity... interesting. If I haven't already sunk money into the JVC, I would seriously consider this GoPro product.

The shock-resistance and waterproof features would broaden the utility of the GoPro camera: motorbikes, surfers, skiers, snowmobiling, and even hockey helmet! See the videos on the GoPro site.

A note of caution though, before you drop 3 bills, check the web for owners' review and satisfaction. This product might have been around since 2009.

Keep us posted.
 
#38 · (Edited)
chateaupierre said:
This GoPro Hero camera seems to be a cool product; with a bunch of mounts thrown in too. The specs are about twice better than my JVC pocket camera used as a car camera. The battery time and optical angle width is twice mine.

Seems like the supplied "J" buckle mount can be on the forward side of the rearview mirror. The GoPro pic on their website has the camera mounted inside the fog light cavity... interesting. If I haven't already sunk money into the JVC, I would seriously consider this GoPro product.

The shock-resistance and waterproof features would broaden the utility of the GoPro camera: motorbikes, surfers, skiers, snowmobiling, and even hockey helmet! See the videos on the GoPro site.

A note of caution though, before you drop 3 bills, check the web for owners' review and satisfaction. This product might have been around since 2009.

Keep us posted.
Click to expand...
I was thinking about placing this on my top roll bar in my wrangler, between the 2 seats looking out at the windshield. That way i can watch how I drive, ontop of seeing a good trail video. I can also watch my wife scream when I blow through a pile of mud! :D I usually drive with the doors/roof off. So it can get fairly muddy lol

Ill let you know how it turns out, it'll be a short bit before I can get home and buy it.
 
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Discussion starter · #39 ·
Whew. 3 secs margin

Just saw this rig jack-knife in the local paper: Toronto Star

Amazing crash footage on the 401 February 12, 2011

Here's why you don't talk on your cell phone while driving.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18FvMi1-vzg&feature=related

...Nobody was killed when this truck, loaded with 30-tonnes of sand, crashed through the guardrail, which is astonishing in itself. The driver had a dash cam rolling, because of an ongoing dispute with an insurance company.
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The driver of the car with the dash cam is named "Matthew". On replays, the 3 vehicles (traveling in same direction as Matthew) seen on the cams were able to quickly switch to the right lane within 3 seconds. The guys including the orange semi had to assess and decide in the first second. That's very good reaction. Lucky too that these 3 guys drove along with plenty gaps to allow for the quick merge/escape to the right lane.

I hope Matthew resolves his dispute with the insurance company. His cam is for CYA. No doubt the cops are analyziing his footage for this sand rig jackknife. The highway was closed for most of the day. Huge backups.

We have major highway incidences like this in the region every second day. I'm glad that I haven't been near one. Don't want to be trapped in any major road backups.
 
#40 ·
Idea for camera mount-on-glass: velcro or transponder strips

Pierre, I was getting into my Patriot the other day and snapped a photo - mounting the camera to the glass using velcro or the same plastic-knobby-velcro strips that my toll transponder came with would keep the camera steady, against the windshield, and safe in a collision. You could tuck it behind the mirror, like my toll transponder.

Aiming the camera would still need to be done - perhaps by gluing a shim or wedge between the velcro and camera body.

Then, wires (if any) could be run through the headliner to the mirror.

Image
 

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