Entertainment: Russian dash-cam videos

An estimated one million Russian motorists have installed dash cams in their cars. Though some of them captured the 10-ton meteor that exploded in atmosphere last week, the cameras are popular for just one reason: ensuring justice when it comes to proving accidents on the roads.

Last year, Al Jazeera spoke with motorists who never drive without their cameras. One driver said others believe that police officers are only on the roads to take bribes, bending traffic laws—or ignoring them completely—to benefit themselves. A camera will save you from false accusations.

“In Russia, everyone should have a camera on their dashboard. It’s better than keeping a lead pipe under your seat for protection,” writes Marina Galperina, a New York-based blogger who hails from Russia.

According to Galperina, hit and runs are “very common,” and insurance companies have begun to crack down on claims, often denying any claim with little evidence. Witnesses aren’t much help, either; Russian courts have turned into a he-said-she-said mess when it comes to traffic accidents. “Dash-cam footage is the only real way to substantiate your claims in the court of law,” Galperina writes.

The camera records non-stop until its limited flash storage fills up; then, the drive erases itself and begins recording again. If an accident happens, the footage can be pulled off and used later. The technology is much cheaper—ranging from as little as $50 to as much as $200—than insurance. Because of lax law enforcement and scams on the road, including staged crashes and already damaged cars presented as evidence in a new case, buying a good policy is outrageously expensive. A cheap camera can save thousands, which is why such a large number of Russian drivers have one.

5 thoughts on “Entertainment: Russian dash-cam videos”

Just a guy says:

July 17, 2013 at 8:05 pm

An estimated one million Russian motorists have installed dash cams in their cars. Though some of them captured the 10-ton meteor that exploded in atmosphere last week, the cameras are popular for just one reason: ensuring justice when it comes to proving accidents on the roads.

Last year, Al Jazeera spoke with motorists who never drive without their cameras. One driver said others believe that police officers are only on the roads to take bribes, bending traffic laws—or ignoring them completely—to benefit themselves. A camera will save you from false accusations.

“In Russia, everyone should have a camera on their dashboard. It’s better than keeping a lead pipe under your seat for protection,” writes Marina Galperina, a New York-based blogger who hails from Russia.

According to Galperina, hit and runs are “very common,” and insurance companies have begun to crack down on claims, often denying any claim with little evidence. Witnesses aren’t much help, either; Russian courts have turned into a he-said-she-said mess when it comes to traffic accidents. “Dash-cam footage is the only real way to substantiate your claims in the court of law,” Galperina writes.

The camera records non-stop until its limited flash storage fills up; then, the drive erases itself and begins recording again. If an accident happens, the footage can be pulled off and used later. The technology is much cheaper—ranging from as little as $50 to as much as $200—than insurance. Because of lax law enforcement and scams on the road, including staged crashes and already damaged cars presented as evidence in a new case, buying a good policy is outrageously expensive. A cheap camera can save thousands, which is why such a large number of Russian drivers have one.
jnaese says:

July 17, 2013 at 8:26 pm

Thanks. I needed that.
jboch says:

July 17, 2013 at 9:09 pm

Thank you, Just a guy for explaining this.
John says:

July 18, 2013 at 9:29 am

They drive like honeybadgers.
As for most of the pedestrians…not a single F… was given that day.
Jakebob says:

July 18, 2013 at 11:34 am

I’m still trying to figure out the first one in the video. The others were mostly straightforward people not paying attention, driving too fast for conditions, etc… but the minivan falling out of the sky was weird.