PDRM Mulls Proposal To JPJ And MoT For Greater Dashcam Adoption

Digital Video Recorder (DVR), or more commonly known as a 'dashcam'.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani recently told local news portal The Vibes that the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is keen to promote wider adoption of digital video recorders (DVRs), more commonly known as ‘dashcams’, in private vehicles.

The national police chief said that such devices would greatly assist investigations into road crashes as well as public complaints on traffic safety and violations. He further added that dashcams can also help police scrutinise untoward events on the road and public areas.

Another example of a DVR or dashcam featuring a sizeable viewing screen.

The notion stems from a recent social media posting by PDRM via Facebook requesting public feedback about dashcams, which read: “What do you think? Road users are advised to install dashcams, which not only record the cause of a road crash and those involved, it could help to reveal road bullies. Do you agree?”

“It (dashcam usage) should be definitely encouraged,” Tan Sri Acryl told the publication. “This can be suggested (to JPJ and the ministry),” he responded when asked if PDRM will put forth a proposal to encourage greater adoption of dashcams.

Besides that, Tan Sri Acryl Sani further notes that PDRM has advocated the channelling of precise information and support from the public on traffic and crime incidents.

The idea of making dashcams mandatory was mooted before, most notable of which being the suggestion put forth by Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) lecturer Muzaffar Syah Mallow last year.

Having dashcam recordings stand as a source of evidence to prove a case makes sense, notes said academician. Said notion made even more sense given the variety of incidents Malaysian motorists encounter on the roads these days (see video above).

However, as noted by The Vibes, the suggestion was dismissed by then Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, who pointed out both legislative roadblocks and public misconception as reasons for which. At the time, Wee also notes how such a ruling could burden the bulk of low-income (B40) individuals too.

Some DVRs or dashcams feature a low-profile design that avoids distracting or impeding driver's vision.

Despite having acknowledged that dashcam footage can be used for future road safety education purposes, Wee further opined that it shouldn’t be considered as a preventative measure from the perspective of road safety, reports The Vibe further.

Presently, a handful of carmakers have already offered models for sale that are already primed with a dashcam, though said feature is relegated only in higher-end (read: pricier, more expensive) variants, or as an optional accessory – i.e. the bulk of current Toyota models, as well as the Perodua GearUp accessories line.

Some carmakers like Toyota (left) equip high-end model variants with dashcams as standard. Others like Perodua (right) offer similar tech as optional accessories instead.

Besides that, there’s also the CamScore star-based rating scheme devised by MIROS and CyberSecurity Malaysia for Malaysians to gauge which aftermarket unit is best suited for them. At lest 40 different brands and products were listed, but just five garnered a full five-star rating.

What do you think, folks? Is the IGP’s idea a sound one? Should JPJ and MoT seriously consider? Hit the comments below with your thoughts then…