After a decade of dash cam footage resolving insurance disputes, catching dangerous drivers, and providing crucial evidence in court cases, it’s time to ask: why aren’t they mandatory?

Russia mandated dash cams years ago, and the result was a dramatic reduction in insurance fraud and a significant improvement in driving behaviour. The knowledge that you’re being recorded changes how people drive.

The cost barrier has evaporated. A quality dash cam costs less than a single insurance excess payment. Most new vehicles already come with cameras for parking assistance — extending that to continuous recording is a trivial engineering step.

Privacy concerns, while valid, are addressed by existing legislation. Dash cam footage is already admissible in court and subject to privacy laws regarding publication and distribution.

The insurance industry should be leading this charge. Insurers in the UK already offer premium discounts of up to 15% for vehicles fitted with dash cams. Australian insurers should follow suit.