Clear Windscreen....did You Know?

[ToraToraTora]

I did a driver awareness course the other day, learnt an interesting thing about sat navs.dash cams. Technically any of those devices that attach to the actual windscreen are illigal:
https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-maintenance-safety-security
I was surprised because although my car has an inbuilt satnav I do have a dash cam and I had no idea. The instructor did say that if you mount it out of your main vision range then you'll probably be OK but jobsworth plod can nick you! I asked about police cars that are festooned with stuff in the windscreen and the instructor conceded that they are illegal too but plod is hiughly trained and do have some exemptions! So any comments/advice on how best to mount a dash cam?

[carrust]

Even more dangerous are the various furry dice, charms and toys that some drivers hang from their rear view mirrors!

[237SJ]

Does that mean that it was illegal to have a tax disc on the windscreen?

[weecalf]

no illegal but outta date the tax disc but mot disc are fine we love them

[Sipowicz]

I blu-tac a plastic coaster to the dashboard and mount the sat-nav to that.

[sunny-dave]

It's OK if it's not in the area swept by the wipers.

[vulcan42]

carrust is right, these items hanging from the mirror which are constantly moving are a greater hazard. Car manufactures are working on HUD for cars, I wonder how the law will view this.
http://cdn2.ubergizmo.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/heads-up_616.jpg

[weecalf]

Seen a car going pass me the other day the driver was shaving .He had the mirror up on the dash and the wobble brush in a plastic beaker .My question is how was he going to dry his face .May be put the heater on never thought of that .

[ToraToraTora]

well by that definition 237sj, yes! even the mirror! There must be some official interpretation of this somewhere.

PiperH:"Why would you want a dash cam? " is this some sort of attempt at humour? if so please translate, I don't speak pl0nker.

SD: yes I heard that somewhere but that's not what it says in the HC.

[Canary42]

The one I bought had a diagram showing where it was OK to stick it (I don't know whether this had any legal authentication).

It packed up shortly afterwards so I sent it back ! (but I refrained from telling them where they could stick it).

[TWR]

The one I have is affixed below the Interior Mirror T.T.T. before these were fitted by a Qualified VAT Reg Auto elect for Insurance Purposes, I made sure that these were legal, & they are, but common tells you not to put them in your vision, the one I have is fixed by a Sucker, the rear one is centred. Pip, there have been a lot of problems in the Blackburn Area with Persons taking out their Brake light Bulbs for gain, I don't think I need say who these people are.

[ToraToraTora]

yes TWR a lot of staged crashes going on, that's one reason to have them, though it could be argued that you are at fault if you hit someone up the jaxy regardless. So you reckon if I move it up to under the mirror it'll be ok?

[hc4361]

The only relevant part I can see on the link is:
windscreens and windows MUST be kept clean and free from obstructions to vision

In my opinion this does not mean that NOTHING can be affixed to the windscreen, only that it must not obstruct the driver's vision. My dashcam is behind my rear view mirror.

[TWR]

You area of vision must be clear, that's where mine is positioned & gives no obstruction in my vision.

[Baldric]

I believe it's the 'Swept Area' that has to be kept clear, the section cleared by the sweep of the wipers!

[Dizmo]

This reminds me of the argument I had on YouTube recently. I just showed - http://suction-mounted-car-cameras.blogspot.co.uk/

[Dizmo]

Everything is clear under Regulation 109 of 'The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986'.

[Baldric]

Good link Diz, that's what I thought

[TWR]

Dizmo, 3 MOT'S All passes with the. Camera in place

[ToraToraTora]

that's cleared it up diz, many thanks