WWYD: Sharing Dash Cam Footage After Witnessing a Car Accident

[Deactivated] on 22/01/2023 - 19:11

There have been a number of posts about neighbours sharing or rather, unwilling to share, their security camera footage in cases of break-ins, property theft, vandalism, etc.

With special mention to this OP - 'Witnessed a Car Crash, Who Do You Think Is at Fault?', have/would you stop and share your dash cam footage after witnessing a car accident (not involving your vehicle)? If you have done so, what were the circumstances?

Assuming you would only stop if safe to do so, what other variables may factor into your decision making?

Automotive Dash Camera

Comments

  • Muzeeb on 22/01/2023 - 19:20
    +9

    News reporters end every story these days with…

    Police are seeking security or dashcam footage

    I'm guessing a lot don't want to volunteer footage in case they incriminate themselves. But there is an exception to every rule.

    • [Deactivated] on 22/01/2023 - 19:31
      +3

      That self-incrimination post is a classic!

      Definitely a consideration that your driving should be all-good first so perhaps exchange contact details and review footage prior to forwarding to the drivers involved in the accident.

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 22/01/2023 - 19:44

      So good

    • HeWhoKnows on 23/01/2023 - 10:43
      -1

      Police tell you to "Mind your own business" when you are trying to do the right thing

      Then they want help, witnesses when they havent got a clue - which they dont!
      Todays police are a bunch over-qualified academics with little real life experience
      No idea how to do basic detective work anymore
      No idea or no interest in following up leads

      All the (good) "old" cops who used to share their "experience" with the rookies have been forced out so the government can save money

      All today's police are interested in doing is all the easy work.
      And in particular - issuing fines to all us innocent people as you may have noticed.
      Whilst the "real" crminals go off doing thier usual thing.

      Sorry but I dont help police anymore.

      Im minding my own business as I was told to do by the Police.

      PS Any security footage or dashcam footage you have is for your PERSONAL USE.
      You dont pay to have it so everyone can use it. And especially the police!

      • Baysew on 23/01/2023 - 10:49
        +1

        Are you replying to Muzeeb or is this just an unrelated rant?

        • HeWhoKnows on 23/01/2023 - 10:52
          -2

          I thought it was quite obvious
          The topic in question AND Muzeeb

          Maybe you should too

        • Zaphod42 on 23/01/2023 - 14:58

          Mind your own business 😂

  • Ocker on 22/01/2023 - 19:53
    -7

    On a related note, we installed a top of the line external CCTV system, covering the entire surrounds on our property.
    I rang out local (VicPol) station to let them know of the installation and asked in they would like to note the location etc of the camera's.
    They flatly said, they said "no interest" !! Screw'em I reckon.
    My stance is that now, if they want to view any or my recorded vision they can have it - for a price.

    • AustriaBargain on 22/01/2023 - 19:55
      +20

      You think Vicpol has a database on private home camera locations? Save the call to Vicpol when you have something on the camera they want to see.

    • pegaxs on 22/01/2023 - 21:31
      +11

      "for a price"

      *laughs in search warrant*

    • whatwasherproblem on 22/01/2023 - 21:39
      +7

      I rang out local (VicPol) station to let them know of the installation and asked in they would like to note the location etc of the camera's.

      Imagine humblebragging to local law enforcement about your home security setup.

      • Muzeeb on 22/01/2023 - 21:45
        +7

        But it's top of the line so they must be interested

      • tororm on 22/01/2023 - 23:34
        +6

        The VicPol site suggests you call your station to register if they (and you) are so inclined https://www.police.vic.gov.au/cctv-systems

        • whatwasherproblem on 23/01/2023 - 10:18

          Huh, interesting.

          I'm still against volunteering such info to them for the obvious reasons, but OP looks much less foolish if VicPol are actually asking about this stuff.

    • [Deactivated] on 22/01/2023 - 22:42

      I don't think you can charge the police for camera footage.

    • tight-ass on 23/01/2023 - 10:36
      +2

      I'm surprised the Victorian police don't have something similar to what the WA police have - https://www.police.wa.gov.au/Your-Safety/State-CCTV-Register

  • AustriaBargain on 22/01/2023 - 19:54
    +3

    I would share. Doesn't take long to load the video on your phone, screen record the relevant bit, then message it to someone. If I had a camera that didn't let you load the video on your phone and required me going home, taking sd card out, putting it into computer, etc. then I might not be bothered. Unless the relevant party sweetened the deal for my efforts…

  • pegaxs on 22/01/2023 - 21:14
    +7

    If I saw the accident happen and was not involved, I would offer a witness statement and mention that I have dashcam footage. Police can either seize it at the time as evidence if the accident is serious enough as part of their investigation. If either party wanted the footage, they can get a court order.

    If I was involved in the accident, get a search warrant. I would say nothing to anyone about having a dash cam and if it was spotted by the other party and they wanted the footage, they can get their lawyer to get a court order.

    • [Deactivated] on 22/01/2023 - 22:44
      +2

      In the case of no personal involvement in the crash, what are your reason/s for not offering the dash cam footage to both parties w/o a court order?

      • pegaxs on 23/01/2023 - 09:34

        If I was not involved in the accident, it may be my place to only give a witness statement, if required (ie: if there is serious personal injuries or death), to the police, not the involved parties, not to just hand over dash cam footage that may, unbeknownst to me, implicate me or expose me to unrelated issues.

        I am not legally required to give anything to either of the drivers, as I am not involved in the accident. If I was to give out anything, it would be on the basis that both parties involved receive the same information. If Car B wanted the footage, it would only be supplied on the basis that Car A also gets a copy.

  • iamherenow on 22/01/2023 - 21:31
    +3

    I got a bit of rage that caused an accident on dashcam. The rager was getting very angry/agressive accusing the other person of causing the crash. I told the policeman attending I had dashcam. He viewed it right there. Decided the rager was at fault. Took my name and number and asked me to keep the vid. Never heard from them again. My guess once the rager knew there was video they acknowledged fault, and that was the end of it.

    • [Deactivated] on 22/01/2023 - 23:16
      +3

      A former colleague was involved in a not-at-fault car accident where various other drivers stopped to assist. Things got a tad heated between the 2 drivers involved as they started accusing each other of being to blame for the crash. One of the witnesses spoke up & announced to my ex-colleague that he had dash cam vision (he didn't as he was only a pedestrian but the at-fault driver didn't know that) that he will provide showing that the other driver was in the wrong and that was enough for the at-fault driver to quieten down & accept that he caused the accident. The other interesting thing was that none of the drivers/pedestrian that witnessed the accident were willing to provide their contact details as they didn't want to get involved. Witness details were not needed in the end as the at-fault driver didn't contest it and there were no issues with the insurance claim.

  • Caped Baldy on 22/01/2023 - 21:34
    +4

    Depends on the severity of the crash. Chances are it will get uploaded to DCOA and I'll leave it be.

    I've also left a note after I witnessed a hit and run at home. I managed to get some photos with my zoomy lens.

    • [Deactivated] on 22/01/2023 - 23:25

      Do drivers involved in accidents search on DCOA just in case someone uploaded dash cam footage of the crash?

      • SlartiBartFozz on 23/01/2023 - 19:17

        Apparently, some authorities scan the videos to check whether anything serious has slipped past their net, but I wouldn't count on it. At least at that point, it's saved in the public domain so a copy is still available if they need it.

        Many State/Territory Police and Road Authorities have a reporting site for criminal driving incidents which you can upload to. You can also use CrimeStoppers which is National, but that's more for aggressive driving or hit/run than accidents.

  • Shadowsfury on 23/01/2023 - 08:30
    +2

    Light just turned green, I was second car. Vehicle in slip lane on the left didn't stop and side swiped the vehicle in front of me. I went around them and stopped a few metres ahead and got out. I gave my details to the person who was hit, and once I got home 5mins later shared with them the footage from my dashcam. Although the at fault driver stopped they seemed like they were being difficult (more due to language problems). They were very thankful but never heard from them again after I shared the footage.

  • Rob-4x4 on 23/01/2023 - 09:26
    +3

    Always this facebook group

    https://www.facebook.com/DashCamOwnersAustralia/

  • jacross on 23/01/2023 - 13:45
    +1

    I would provide the dash cam footage to anyone that wanted it. I can't think of a reason not to. I have not yet seen a reason not to in this thread that I find compelling. The closest is Pegaxs' reliance upon the limits of legal requirement as a guide for what to do and not to do however I don't find that particularly compelling.

  • spersephone on 24/01/2023 - 11:26
    +1

    I would always provide footage if requested, or knew of its importance.

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