Most people tend to be apprehensive about installing a rear facing dash cam, as they can be more challenging to fit and slightly more expensive. Even by using a front-facing wide-view dash cam you may end up missing up to 50% of your surroundings. By installing a dash cam with rear view, you will be able to capture footage of everything happening behind you.
What footage can a rear facing dash cam capture?
The main reason people use rear facing dash cams is to capture footage of an accident behind them or to the back of their vehicle. Getting footage from the back of a vehicle can also capture incidents such as license plates or hit and runs that take place from behind.
Some rear facing cameras also have the ability to capture footage of any accidents that may take place when the car is parked and stationary.
Different types of rear facing camera
All types of rear facing cameras require a compatible front-facing camera to function. The front-facing dash cams can either come with a rear facing cam in the box or come with a rear facing camera built in. Other dash cams can be modular which means they have to be purchased separately.
Rear view camera
Rear view cameras are either attached or built into the front facing camera. They work by looking through the cabin and out of the back window of the vehicle. Because they look through the cabin, it means the view could be slightly obstructed, especially if there are passengers or items in the back seats. However, because there are no cables trailing to the back of the vehicle, this type of rear facing camera is easier to install.
Rear window camera
Rear window dash cams attach to the rear window of the vehicle and must be connected through wires to the front camera. These wires need to be tucked into the trim of the vehicle and can be slightly more difficult to install. However, rear window cameras provide the best view of the road behind the vehicle and offer a clearer perspective.
Benefits of a rear view dash cam
- The main benefit of a rear-view dash cam is the comprehensive cover it gives you. If you are rear ended by another vehicle whilst driving or parked, you will rarely need to prove that it was another driver’s fault, but it is worth having concrete footage to back you up just in case.
- It is known that motorists that are tailgating your vehicle tend to back off when they see a dash cam is recording them. This can make the possibility of an accident less likely and can discourage bad behaviour from drivers who don’t want to be caught on camera.
- Rear dash cams are also a great way to help capture footage of other incidents that happen on the road behind you. It is helpful to have multiple perspectives of different accidents when it comes to making a claim, and your footage could benefit other victims of a road altercation.
