Some Drivers are Adding Dash-Cams in Vehicles - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Some Drivers are Adding Dash-Cams in Vehicles

Less than two weeks ago--a meteor was captured on camera in Russia from multiple angles.

A historic event captured mostly--on dash cams in vehicles.

While law enforcement officers have been using them for a few decades now.

America might be on its way to becoming a Dash-Cam culture.

Incredible video caught on camera in North Dakota, and around the world.

"I was just in the research stage of finding a good camera when that came on, it just kind of pushed me more that I wanted one worse now than ever because I think it's kind of cool if you can catch something like that on tape." says McDowell.

Seeing the meteor video is just what Randy McDowell needed to go ahead with his own dash cam purchase.

But it's not his main reason for wanting one.

Instead of relying on just luck, the history teacher--who lives and works in oil country--will have hard evidence of what it's like driving on busy roads.

 "A little while back a large flew and a large dirt clump came flying off an oil truck and put a little dent on the quarter panel..."

 "I've decided throughout the years we've had a few liability issues and they seem to be getting more and more, I hit a cow last winter, with the oilfield trucks we've had a lot of near misses and I just decided it's time to protect ourselves liability wise." says Randy McDowell/Belfield history teacher.

Law enforcement officers have been using dash cams for years.

"The big thing we use them for is for evidence, and to protect the officers." says Capt. Kyle Kirchmeier/SW Region Administrator.

Along with tracking routine calls...

These mini cams have been known to also catch the unexpected.

"There was a bear in Fargo I know caught on camera, a guy up north caught a golden eagle flying..." says Capt. Kirchmeier.

 "We've had squad cars hit, and it's all on video, what it really shows is how fast things happen out on the highway, that's why it's important drivers pay attention to what they're doing because crashes happen quick." says Capt. Kirchmeier.

Although there's no guarantee to catch something like what happened in Russia, at least one North Dakota driver is keeping an extra eye on the road and whatever else he might capture.

"I've taken video on my own for my geography class, teaching meteorology and things like that, I could see this coming in very handy especially if I come across a storm." says McDowell.

Randy McDowell plans to check the video from his dash cam once a week.

It also records audio and GPS. He says it cost around 300 dollars.

One local insurance agent says he hasn't had any clients with dash-cam video yet, but technology can help you save money on your premiums.

At State Farm in Bismarck, agents say along with taking defensive driving classes, technology can benefit you.

If someone parks really close to your vehicle, or you're in an accident, you are encouraged to take pictures with your cell phone.

"Witnesses you ask five people what they saw, you might get five answers, where the camera looks at it the same every time." says Terry Richter/State Farm Agent.

There are some new products offered through State Farm.

This isn't a dash-cam but it's a step toward that.

It records your turns, and acceleration rates.

"This program is through State Farm, it's the Drive Safe at Safe, and they calculate ratios of high risk driver, average driver, safe driver, based off of those three statistics, usually is how they'll give applicable discounts for how you drive." says Nik Polski/Umary Intern/Business

Several local car dealerships we spoke with say they do not currently offer any kind of vehicle with a dash-cam already built in.