Are dashcams more reliable than traditional witnesses?

If you’ve ever been in a road accident, you will know how quickly stories can differ. 

One driver swears they had a green light, another is certain it was theirs. In moments like these, witness accounts can help – but their evidence isn’t considered as perfect. 

With more UK drivers than ever installing dashcams, it’s worth asking: are they a more reliable way to back up your version of events than using traditional witnesses?

How reliable are human witnesses? 

Eyewitness testimony has been a part of road incident investigations for as long as there has been cars on the road. A pedestrian, another driver, or even a passenger can often give valuable context – but their account isn’t seen as perfect evidence. 

Humans can misread details, overlook important moments, or even get distracted while the incident unfolds. Factors like poor lighting, weather conditions, stress, and the speed of events can all affect accuracy. In some cases, unconscious bias or mistaken assumption about what has been seencan change a story entirely. 

This doesn’t mean witnesses are useless, far from it. Police and insurance companies still consider them a key part of evidence gathering, especially if they can provide details no camera would capture, such as the sound of the vehicle accelerating or what was happening outside the dashcam’s field of view.

How do dashcams compare? 

Dashcams remove a lot of uncertainty that comes with human memory. They record events as they happen, without emotion or bias, and provide a clear, timestamped record. This can make them particularly valuable in:

• Accidents investigation: footage can show the exact position of vehicles, road markings, and signals at the time
• Insurance claims: insurance companies may settle disputes faster when they have concrete video evidence
• Hit-and-run cases: dashcams can capture number plates that a human witness might miss

The key advantage is consistency: a dashcam won’t change a story weeks later. However, like any tech, it’s only as good as it’s set up. A poorly-positioned camera, low quality recording, or a flat battery can make footage unusable.

The limits of dashcams

While dashcams can be incredibly helpful, they aren’t always a replacement for human witnesses. They have a fixed field of vision, meaning they can’t see what’s happening outside of their lens. They also can’t explain intent, for example, as to why a driver swerved or whether a horn was sounded in warning. 

Footage can also be challenged in certain situations, especially if there’s a question about whether it’s been edited or if it breaches privacy laws, e.g if it records inside the vehicle without consent.

So which is better?

The truth is, dashcams and traditional witnesses work best together. Video footage provides an objective base layer of evidence, while human accounts can fill in the gaps with extra detail, context and perspectives that a camera can’t offer. 

If you already have a dashcam, make sure it’s set up correctly, records in good quality, and stores footage securely. And if you are involved in an incident, still take details from a  witness where possible – their statement could add weight to your case.

Sort your dashcam insurance today

A dashcam can do more than help with disputes – it could help keep your premium down. Whether you are driving for work or leisure, with or without a dashcam, our team can find car insurance that suits you. Call 0800 369 8590 for a quote or request a callback.