Is the Dash Cam Always On?
3 Answers
The dash cam operates 24 hours a day. Below are the specific functions of a dash cam: 1. Protecting drivers' legal rights: In case of collisions with pedestrians crossing roads or cyclists/motorcyclists, drivers may face extortion attempts. The dash cam can provide valid evidence. 2. Facilitating traffic police accident handling: Playback of recorded footage makes accident responsibilities immediately clear, enabling police to handle incidents quickly and accurately. This allows for rapid scene clearance to restore traffic flow while preserving crucial evidence, creating a safer and smoother traffic environment. 3. Reducing accident rates: If all vehicles were equipped with dash cams, drivers would be less likely to violate traffic rules, significantly decreasing accident occurrences. 4. Providing sentencing references: Courts can make more precise judgments on sentencing and compensation in traffic accident cases, while also offering insurance companies reliable evidence for claims settlement.
The dash cam doesn't necessarily stay on all the time. Typically, it automatically starts when the car is ignited via the cigarette lighter or ACC line connection, but stops running when the car is turned off to prevent excessive battery drain. If you want it to operate 24/7 for parking surveillance, you can choose devices with built-in batteries or connect them to a constant power source, but be cautious to avoid draining the car battery. Personally, I recommend professional installation to ensure cable safety, allowing the camera to capture incidents even when parked, but remember not all dash cams support this mode by default. For daily driving, having it automatically operate is sufficient—protecting the driving process is the key.
As an ordinary car owner sharing my experience: The dashcam usually only turns on after the car starts. My setup is connected to the cigarette lighter—it powers on and starts recording when the ignition is on, and shuts off when the car is turned off. If left running continuously, the battery drains quickly. Once, I experimented with 24/7 recording and ended up needing a jump start the next day. Now, I occasionally use the parking mode with a dedicated circuit but prefer manual activation for peace of mind. Ensuring full recording only while driving avoids unnecessary resource consumption, which is quite practical.
