Duck

It seems I can't trust how most people drive. They're erratic, lack common sense and lack understanding of the physical laws of nature concerning the mass in motion of a multi-ton battering ram.

This was proven to me yet again (third time in 18 months) when I was cruising down the inside lane of a divided residential street in Long Beach recently, when a mini van driving in the outside lane decided to make a immediate left turn into a median opening directly in front of me. We made contact, both vehicles bent metal and transferred paint. When asked why he made the turn without signalling or slowing down, the driver said he was late to pickup his girlfriend. I called 911 for a traffic cop, but they were too busy to show up. So we exchange info and go our separate ways.

When I contact his insurance company to submit a claim, I discover he said that I ran into him, causing the accident, so the insurance company won't pay and it's up to my insurance company to fight a typical "he said - she said," scenario.

I had nightmares of sitting in my car at an intersection waiting for the light to change green, when the idiot in a huge SUV in front of me mistakenly puts his vehicle into reverse, ramming my car, and then gets out and accuses me of running into him. No witnesses - how do I prove I'm innocent?

After a couple of days of research I purchased a digital video and audio recorder with GPS connectivity. It is mounted behind the rear view mirror, and records everything I see in front of the car, along with speed, direction and location in Google maps. There's no maintenance or changing of media, it simply fills up a 4-gig smart media card, overwriting the oldest files first.

When parking in a high-crime area on the street, the unit, smaller than a TP tube, can be quickly unplugged and locked away.

Do an internet search for "car cams" and check out the horrific videos online.

I could have saved more than $2,000 if I'd had this $200 DVR installed. I like to think of it as a "Car Condom," a high tech form of protection in a very high-risk environment.

injdinjn

Sorry to hear.
Yea, cops are not interested in TA reports if no one is injured, our tax dollars at work.

Not to dwell on this on here, but usually pics and location of damage and skid marks will tell the real story.

But your idea is a good one as long as it doesn't work against you


One thing that will usually get the cops out there is if you say the other driver refuses to exchange info. Your word against his again "After I called 911 he changed his mind and gave me his info."

FYI I had a bus driver pull out and clip my van mirror. She refused to exchange info and her supervisor showed up and said the same. The CHP showed up and had her give me her drivers license.

rock861261

they by law have to give you the information if they refuse and leave its misdemeanor hit and run if you injured its a felony

injdinjn

Do you think those without a DL or Ins care about that?

rock861261

Yes... stand there as soon as they get in thier car you call in a hit and run..

84 1LE

iTrader: (9)

This is what ive been using lately.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/afte...ml#post4928680

TPI TERR

iTrader: (9)

Any pics of the dvr?

spade

iTrader: (3)

Duck

Here's a couple images, one of the Itronics ITB-70G unit installed, powered through my rear view mirror courtesy lights. I use the light switch to turn it on and off, so it doesn't run overnight sitting in a dark garage. The other image is in the parking lot of Sams. You can see Google maps in the GPS box, the audio recording bar, file list of MP4s, and the vehicle speed. Not easy to see is the X-Y-Z tracking.

I found it on eBay and Amazon for $200, free shipping. The local distributor is in Brea 92821, company is Cynanics.net. Installation was easy, setup easy, and so far it has worked flawlessly, recording every moment of driving and automatically overwriting old files so you don't have to change the memory card. It is less than 4 inches long and 1.5 inches in diameter, weight is 85 grams. There are much higher quality DVRs, but this is good enough for me at this time.

xknightriderx24

iTrader: (1)

Hey Duck,

thanks for putting all the info I just ordered one on amazon. Sorry to here about the accidents you were involved in and you are exactly right people lack common sense. I have been involved in two hit and runs so i am putting this bad boy to use.

thanks again for your info

tom

TPI TERR

iTrader: (9)

Looks like a good kit

Duck

It's good for what it costs. The limitation is not displaying a resolution of 720 or higher, which is what you need to clearly see far away license plate numbers. These sort of electronics are getting cheaper all the time, so I'll upgrade somewhere in the future. This one is perfectly able to show who's at fault in an accident. No longer will some dirtbag be able to swerve into my lane and claim it was my fault.

Oh and another important item: traffic cops wrongfully writing tickets can't convict you in court when you have evidence showing otherwise.