Compulsory helmet cams?

[ufkacbln]

I have noticed in an increasing number of posters using terms such as:

• Unfortunately I don't have a helmet cam
• Regrettably the camera wasn't recording
• I need to get a helmet cam

The consensus seems to be that these are an invaluable tool in proving negligence in accidents, where others are at fault, or where the other road user brazenly lies about events, and that NOT having this type of evidence is somehow a failure on the part of the cyclist!


They have certainly been big advances in technology and the use is far more accepted.... but what does the panel think?

Edited - The use of the word "helmet cam" is a generic term, these may be mounted on the cycle, a head band or other mechanism, the method or position is irrelevant, it is the use of the camera systems that is under discussion.

 

[gb155]

Not wearing one isn't negligent no, but its a bloody good idea these days TBH

As soon as I can afford either the countourHD or Drift, i'll have one.

 

[abo]

I quite fancy one, but for recording my leisure rides, instead of my camera attached to my bar as I currently have.

 

[StuartG]

Compulsory helmet cams implies compulsory helmets. Cue incoming ... Compulsory cam/blackbox in car cockpit would be more revealing.

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

I'm not sure what you mean by "negligent". If you mean in relation to liability in an incident, then no, I think it isn't negligent as it is "contributory negligence" that matters in that case, and I can't see how failing to wear a camera could contribute to injuries or damage sustained in an incident, nor to the likelihood of the incident occurring.

Having the camera could improve your chances of winning a disputed claim, though. It can even prevent a claim from getting to court once the other party sees the video evidence.

Edit: to change "accident" to "incident".

 

[Bigsharn]

Compulsory cam/blackbox in car cockpit would be more revealing.

This is a hell of an idea, insurance companies provide new drivers (such as myself) with a box thing and it records how well you drive, depending on road conditions etc. I'm not sure how it works but it takes a HUGE chunk out of my insurance (75% with one company)

& I think the term helmet cam is used far too much... I have my 'helmet cam' mounted on my front reflector bracket (I don't have a reflector, I have two sets of lights so that's usually enough )

 

[fossyant]

I used a MD80 for a few months whilst I was having a mare with the legal/medical side of my accident claim - i.e. proof if I was off'ed it wouldn't affect my existing injury. After I had a second MRI scan, and evidence 'logged' I've never used it.

Might be fun to use on fast descents, but the fast SD card has 'found' it's way into my smart phone.

Can't be ar$ed now.

 

[ufkacbln]

Compulsory helmet cams implies compulsory helmets. Cue incoming ... Compulsory cam/blackbox in car cockpit would be more revealing.

THanks - I have amended the original post!

 

[gaz]

I'm told at least once a week that i go around looking for trouble and i spend all day cycling around london taunting people. Maybe it's not a good idea to get a camera.

 

[fossyant]

I'm told at least once a week that i go around looking for trouble and i spend all day cycling around london taunting people. Maybe it's not a good idea to get a camera.

Trouble causer........... NOT !

 

[BentMikey]

Yeah you should get a life Gaz!!

 

[gaz]

Yeah you should get a life Gaz!!

If i had £1 for every time i've heard that, i could buy one!

 

[BentMikey]

I've just been told to get and drive a car instead of being a poor penniless oaf onna bike. By someone driving a v reg daewoo Matiz worth maybe £50.

 

[Bicycle]

Errrr.... For every valid and reasonable pieceof helmet-cam footage on Youtube, there seems to be something that's indicative of a bizarre,looking-for-an-argument or just Holier-than-thou mindset.

I may be in the minorityin this, but I've bounced ofmany cars and will bounceoff many more.

It has always been so.

I'm not really comfortable with the way some people use helmet cams.

I'm not dead-set against them, I just worry about the way some people use them.

There is something decidedly creepy about some of the things that get posted....

Sorry...

 

[Xiorell]

I fall into the "need to get one" camp. I do want to aswell even if not to capture any possible accident but just to record my leisure time. Also as part of my latest ploy to get the misses cycling (she's slowly coming round to the idea), kind of a "look at all this cool stuff I saw on my ride today that you'd have missed in your car".



Aint gonna spend a fortune on it, I've seen footage from some of the cheap "made in -insert far easy location-" ones and they seemed more than good enough to ID people/motors in an accident and good enough to see enough detail of leisure rides.
Actually been looking on ebay for something suitable the last half hour