How does a dashcam work?

A dashcam is a camera installed in a car to record what happens while driving. It is mainly used to document traffic incidents, accidents and other situations that may be difficult to describe afterwards.

Most dashcams start recording automatically when they receive power and save the videos on a memory card.

What features does a dashcam have?

Loop recording

The camera records short video clips. When the memory card is full, the oldest normal recordings are automatically overwritten.

G-sensor

Many dashcams have a built-in motion sensor that detects strong impacts, such as a collision. The camera can then flag or protect the relevant recording from being automatically overwritten.

Parking monitoring

Some models can monitor the car while it is parked. This usually requires a special power connection or another compatible power supply.

Front and rear cameras

Some dashcams can be connected to an additional camera that records behind the car.

Wi-Fi and app connection

On some models, you can connect your phone to view, download and manage recordings.

Does a dashcam record all the time?

It usually records continuously while the car is running, but features vary between models.

A dashcam with parking monitoring can also record while the car is stationary, provided it has the correct power supply.

Is it legal to use a dashcam?

Dashcams are not generally prohibited in Sweden, but how recordings are used may be subject to data protection rules.

For example, if you publish videos in which people or registration numbers can be identified, you need to take applicable rules into account.

The camera must also not be installed in a way that obstructs the driver’s view.