Aftermarket Backup Camera and Dash Cam Installation in San Diego Offers the Best in Safety and Convenience

Have you ever wished you had eyes in the back of your head, metaphorically speaking at least?

Just think. If you did, you could spot approaching danger, catch mischievous kids with their hands in the cookie jar, or casually observe others without seeming rude. Well, having a backup camera in your car yields just as many benefits, and far more than what your rearview mirror provides.

Backup cameras, also called rearview cameras, are small, wide-angle cameras mounted in the rear of the vehicle and connected to an in-dash video screen or a small monitor within the rearview mirror. By eliminating a major blind spot and recording all activity behind your vehicle, it’s no surprise backup cameras are becoming increasingly popular. They’re also so effective that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is requiring that all new cars come with backup technology by May 2018.

While many newer vehicles come standard with backup cameras, many of us find ourselves stuck with lower-tech vehicles. If your car doesn’t have a backup camera already installed, below are just a few reasons why you should seriously consider adding an aftermarket backup camera.

Car backup cameras save lives.

The most important benefit of investing in a backup camera should obviously be mentioned first: backup cameras literally save lives. The reason the NHTSA is requiring new vehicles come standard with backup cameras is that an estimated 200 deaths and 15,000 injuries occur annually due to backup collisions. Tragically, most of the fatalities involve children younger than five, and your beloved fur babies are also vulnerable to vehicle blind spots. With simple installation, backup cameras pick up where your rearview mirror leaves off, revealing everything that’s happening directly behind your bumper before it’s too late.

Backup cameras make parking a piece of cake.

Many states don’t require parallel parking skills to obtain a driver’s license, which means there’s a good chance you struggle to get in and out of a street-side parking spot. And even if you’re a parallel parking pro, things can get tricky when the car that was behind or ahead of you leaves and someone new slides in much closer, leaving you less room to maneuver. Thankfully, backup cameras can turn what would be a parking nightmare into a piece of cake, ensuring you don’t back into or graze another car in the process.

Backup cameras can save you money.

An obvious side effect of avoiding minor bumps and scratches with the help of a backup camera is fewer insurance claims, and thus lower premiums. Plus, many car insurance companies are starting to offer discounts for a range of car safety equipment, including backup cameras. But one of the best insurance-related benefits of backup cameras is the irrefutable evidence they can provide in the event of a fender-bender that’s not your fault. All you need is a little extra modification for your backup cam to record everything that goes on behind your vehicle. And, if someone hits you from behind and leaves the scene, a modified backup camera will catch the license plate number for a hit-and-run claim to the police.

Add a car dash cam for even more benefits.

Video evidence in the event of a car accident is a strong selling point for backup cameras, but that evidence is limited to whatever happens behind you. To ensure you have a record of everything that’s happening in front of you as you drive, you’ll need a dashcam, which is an outward-facing camera mounted to the dashboard or behind the rearview mirror. Dash cams are incredibly popular around the world, primarily to prove who’s at fault in a car accident and prevent accident fraud, but there are several other benefits as well.

Dash cams catch parking lot hit-and-runs.

Just as some backup cameras can catch the license plate of a hit-and-run vehicle, dash cams can catch the plate of a car that dings yours while left unattended in a parking lot. Typically it’s impossible to identify the offending driver and you’re responsible for paying for damages, which can raise insurance premiums even though you’re not at fault.

Dash cams can get you out of an unfair ticket.

Even the brave men and women that make up San Diego’s police force are human. If you’re pulled over for a traffic violation you didn’t commit, you can offer dash cam footage as evidence before the ticket is even written. And if the officer refuses to consider it at the scene, a judge will find the video quite compelling in court, which will prevent you from getting points on your driving record or having to pay for traffic school or higher insurance premiums.

Dash cams are great for worried parents and vigilant employers.

If you’re the parent of a newly-licensed teenager or an employer with a fleet of company vehicles, dash cams work great as both a deterrent to unsafe driving and proof of any abuse of driving privileges, like having unsanctioned passengers or using company vehicles for private matters. As a bonus, most modern dash cameras are GPS-enabled, which means they can record location and speed in addition to images and sound.

Dash cams can catch incredible footage.

Aside from the safety and money-saving benefits of dash cams, they can also be used for fun. Road trips can be recorded in their entirety and edited down for later viewing, and there’s always a chance your dash cam will record something amazing. For example, in February 2013, a large meteor crashed to earth in Russia, and most of the incredible footage came from dash cams, which are particularly popular in that country. They’re also responsible for some of the best “dash cam fail” videos available online. Snag some unexpected new TikTok footage while you’re out and about!

You never know what you’ll see while driving, so why not make sure you have proof of something amazing that no one would believe otherwise?

Backup camera and dash cam installation at San Diego Car Stereo

As demand for car accident avoidance and overall safety increases, there are more choices than ever for backup camera and dash cam brands. If you’re not sure where to start, or are wondering how to install a backup camera, let San Diego Car Stereo help. Our trained experts can help you choose the right equipment for your needs and budget, and our professional installation team will make sure everything is installed perfectly and working great. Give us a call at (858) 295-0713, drop us a line, or stop by our convenient Kearny Mesa location today.