Rear Dashcam And Privacy (Europe)

[Àri]

Hello,

Am hoping that people familiar with the two following questions pertaining to dashcams could provide their opinion on the matter. Next year, am intending to take a road trip through Europe in my vehicle which is equipped with two dashcams, both ITB100HDSP cameras.

1)
While driving, am concerned that my rear camera will put people at a discomfort due to being "watched" by the camera and this may cause unnecessary issues. If need be, I will dismantle the rear camera for the duration of my trip. Please advise if this action is required.

2)
After reading various topics on this forum and educating myself appropriately, it seems some countries within the EU forbid the usage of a dashcam. For these situations, would it be sufficient for me to remove the two cameras and stow them in luggage, whilst retaining their mounting brackets on the windscreen?

Furthermore, any other relevant advice is strongly appreciated.

Thank you for reading.

 

[Lielap]

Your both "problems" are non-issues.

 

[Àri]

Dear Lielap,

Noted with thanks.

Just wanted to have all bases covered.

Regards,
Àri

 

[Nigel]

Next year, am intending to take a road trip through Europe in my vehicle...

I'm wondering how you are going to get your vehicle to Europe from Singapore?

I think wherever you go in the world, you can always cover the lens with a lens cap or whatever instead of removing the camera. The normal rule in Europe is that as long as your car is legal in your home country then you can use it in Europe as long as you are not staying for many months. Some countries do have odd rules though such as France requiring an alcohol testing kit in the car at all times!

 

[Àri]

Dear Nigel,

I'm wondering how you are going to get your vehicle to Europe from Singapore?

After much research and deliberation, including querying HMRC and fiddling through a mountain of red tape and "computer says no" replies, I was able to procure temporary entry for the vehicle to Europe through Southampton. This is under HMRC forms C25 and C110 and waive the need to pay or provide a bond encompassing VAT and Excise Duty. Insurance was obtained through a specialist broker in The Netherlands (Green Card, Comprehensive).

As for facilitating the actual movement of the vehicle, the route is fairly busy from Singapore to Southampton, leading to lower container prices in contrast to a roll on/roll off ferry, and that will be the avenue of shipment for both outgoing and return channels.

I always wanted to explore Europe with the familiarity of my own vehicle, which is no doubt handy especially during the initial duration of getting acclimatized to the driving conditions.

I think wherever you go in the world, you can always cover the lens with a lens cap or whatever instead of removing the camera. The normal rule in Europe is that as long as your car is legal in your home country then you can use it in Europe as long as you are not staying for many months. Some countries do have odd rules though such as France requiring an alcohol testing kit in the car at all times!

Noted with thanks on the lens cap. I reckon they have some (if not, black tape will suffice...) at halfrauds or equivalent. I am alleviated to learn from you that the legality of the car is reciprocal, and also intend to bring along my LTA approval certificate (same as MOT) just in case the metropolitan police stop me along the M3. In which case I would probably save the video for fun as it would be the first time getting stopped by police in Europe.

No doubt it was quite a surprise to find that France had approved the NF breath test kits as to my knowledge from the grapevine they experienced some issues before with the kits' quality and lifespan. Coincidentally, I was able to procure all the relevant equipment in Singapore via the web at far cheaper than ferry or even RAC prices such as the beam benders and EN approved jacket.

Thank you for your comments.

Best Regards,
Àri

 

[Nigel]

After much research and deliberation, including querying HMRC and fiddling through a mountain of red tape and "computer says no" replies, I was able to procure temporary entry for the vehicle to Europe through Southampton. This is under HMRC forms C25 and C110 and waive the need to pay or provide a bond encompassing VAT and Excise Duty. Insurance was obtained through a specialist broker in The Netherlands (Green Card, Comprehensive).

I've not heard of that being done before so good luck and make sure you get the paperwork stamped at the necessary points. I once temporarily exported something with the correct paperwork and returned via a North Sea oil platform so completely missing customs - they do catch up with you!

Last year a group of Australians drove here via Singapore - China - etc, but that takes a lot of time!

I don't think the French actually prosecute anyone for lack of an alcohol tester, it's the Germans you need to worry about and make sure you have winter tyres if necessary and motorway pass if your going to Switzerland.

 

[Àri]

Dear Nigel,

I've not heard of that being done before so good luck and make sure you get the paperwork stamped at the necessary points. I once temporarily exported something with the correct paperwork and returned via a North Sea oil platform so completely missing customs - they do catch up with you!

Thank you for your well wishes and I will most certainly have all the relevant documents ready and chopped, no doubt heeding your warning pertaining to the return customs on the oil platform.

Devon is actually one of the places am intending to visit, out in the countryside, perhaps renting a cottage and so forth. Seems to be a rather far drive from London but well worth it. If you do happen to see me please do wave. Reckon the other thing I would love to try is the Magic Roundabout in Swindon.

Last year a group of Australians drove here via Singapore - China - etc, but that takes a lot of time!

That would have been lovely although recent developments along that route have afforded such avenues closed until further notice or very difficult to overcome.

I don't think the French actually prosecute anyone for lack of an alcohol tester, it's the Germans you need to worry about and make sure you have winter tires if necessary and motorway pass if your going to Switzerland.

Noted with thanks. I am intending to purchase all season tires at Kwik-Fit before proceeding into the alps.
As for the motorway vignette, I was able to get it in Singapore with help from the Swiss Embassy, and reluctantly realized Switzerland may just be the most expensive stretch of highway I have or will ever use...

Thank you for your comments.

Best Regards,
Àri

 

[Nigel]

Devon is actually one of the places am intending to visit, out in the countryside, perhaps renting a cottage and so forth. Seems to be a rather far drive from London but well worth it. If you do happen to see me please do wave. Reckon the other thing I would love to try is the Magic Roundabout in Swindon.

Noted with thanks. I am intending to purchase all season tires at Kwik-Fit before proceeding into the alps.
As for the motorway vignette, I was able to get it in Singapore with help from the Swiss Embassy, and reluctantly realized Switzerland may just be the most expensive stretch of highway I have or will ever use...

I'll keep a look out, what are the letters to look for on a Singapore car? (Equivelent of "GB" for the UK)

The alpine passes of Switzerland can be hazardous at this time of year, this is from a few years ago:

By July it looks like:

With different hazards:

 

[Àri]

Dear Nigel,

I'll keep a look out, what are the letters to look for on a Singapore car? (Equivelent of "GB" for the UK)

The oval on a Singapore car overseas has "SGP" inside a white oval with a black outline. Atop the wording is the coat of arms.
In addition, the license plates are matte silver embossed on a matte black background, with the same dimensions as standard UK places.

The alpine passes of Switzerland can be hazardous at this time of year, this is from a few years ago:

Thank you for the photos. It would appear there will be some snow left during the period although I fear the biggest challenge will be driving the RHD vehicle across these passes. The thought of looking down curiously through the side, and getting an intense sense of fear is unnerving.

And here I thought the biggest challenge would be driving on the M25 during rush hour.

Best Regards,
Àri

 

[Nigel]

The Swiss passes are open between July and September, maybe an extra month either side depending on weather.

The M25 isn't much fun. The Magic roundabout is, make sure you go around clockwise, make a u turn in the middle and then go around anti-clockwise, all legal if you do it right. Looking over the side of the Swiss roads gives some great views but maybe isn't exactly fun! I stopped the car to take these:

 

[Àri]

Very nice pictures Nigel.
Sorry for response delays due to work obligations.

I heard some of the passes are still open due to unusual seasonal weather.
Hoping it will be the same next year.

Ahhh so thats how the magic roundabout works, pretty interesting.
My guess is Brits are far better at roundabout etiquette than here, where the roundabout is a free for all of epic proportions.

I am afraid of the M25 actually. Hopefully if the need arises to cut in lanes, politely lowering the window and raising the hand in thanks will suffice.

 

[Nigel]

I am afraid of the M25 actually. Hopefully if the need arises to cut in lanes, politely lowering the window and raising the hand in thanks will suffice.

If you avoid rush hour then there should be no difficulty, if there is a lot of traffic then just make sure you use your indicators when you want to change lane and wait for someone to open a gap rather than forcing them too, the UK has some of the best road accident statistics in the world. You can raise your hand in thanks without lowering the window.

I enjoyed reading this, 5 parts if you can find them: http://www.autospeed.com/cms/article.html?&A=112987

 

[Bungus]

Ari shouldn't have problem driving in Europe. Compare driving with his S'pore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, S'pore's neighbours. Europe will be a cake walk. Cold weather and snow will be his biggest problem.

 

[Àri]

If you avoid rush hour then there should be no difficulty, if there is a lot of traffic then just make sure you use your indicators when you want to change lane and wait for someone to open a gap rather than forcing them too, the UK has some of the best road accident statistics in the world. You can raise your hand in thanks without lowering the window.

Will do. My M.O. for motorway driving will be to stay humble, respect all local laws and if necessary, give way or provide assistance to local drivers. Glad to hear I can do so without lowering the window as that is of course, slightly more convenient than having to roll the windows down.

I enjoyed reading this, 5 parts if you can find them: http://www.autospeed.com/cms/article.html?&A=112987

Found them, thanks. This is a great itinerary layout plan as well as provides insights into potential stumbling blocks.

Ari shouldn't have problem driving in Europe. Compare driving with his S'pore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, S'pore's neighbours. Europe will be a cake walk.

Agreed and could not be truer. Driving in Southeast Asia is a nightmare from the front door. Nobody respects each other or the law, and people blatantly run red lights in front of my face almost daily as some sort of revenge against the high laws, especially when no police are around. Its like the law magically disappears.

As much as a cakewalk it may be, I strongly felt the need to post and clear all my doubts, collating all advice as much as possible to avoid any surprises.

Thanks and hopefully one day I can drive to Canada too

Cold weather and snow will be his biggest problem.

Absolutely in agreement. Tropical-specification cars are not able to survive winter, and in addition I have no experience driving in that season.

At this time I have gone to great lengths to retrofit my Protege for the trip, insulating and resorting exposed wires, rustproofing the body and making amendments to the overall vehicle to be able to overcome these obstacles.

 

[Nigel]

Absolutely in agreement. Tropical-specification cars are not able to survive winter, and in addition I have no experience driving in that season.

At this time I have gone to great lengths to retrofit my Protege for the trip, insulating and resorting exposed wires, rustproofing the body and making amendments to the overall vehicle to be able to overcome these obstacles.

The important things for the cold:
1. Battery - they don't work so well in the cold so if it is getting a little slow to start then replace it before leaving.
2. Coolant - if you have pure water then it may freeze, expand and destroy your engine and radiator - use a fresh 50-50 mix of water/antifreeze. In Switzerland you are quite likely to see -20C in the winter and it could be colder, in the UK it is unusual for it to go below -2 in the south but it is still possible to see -20.
3. Tyres - In the UK we use summer tyres all year, causes problems for a couple of weeks each winter, in Switzerland winter tyres are a legal requirement along with snow chains or approved tyre socks. If your actually going to Switzerland when there will be snow on the roads then go for winter tyres rather than all season, they will give a lot more grip and will still work OK in summer conditions. If your not used to driving on snow/ice then you need that grip.
4. Driver - Always remember that on pure ice you have almost zero grip, you can't slow down, accelerate or turn. In the UK in winter you may find patches of close to pure ice on the road at times so be very carful, in Switzerland it is very unlikely to have ice on the road, they drive around on snow with their winter tyres at normal speeds, although they do leave longer stopping distances between cars - another reason to get proper winter tyres, you want to be able to stop as quickly as the person in front, if it takes you twice as long to slow down...

 

[Bungus]

Ari,
Just a curious question.
Why are you taking a Singapore car to Europe? IIRC a Protege in S'pore cost 2, 3 maybe 4 times more than rest of the developed world. A tropics car at that. (FYI, I was from KL. Left after May 13.)

 

[mike-k]

ABOUT THE USE OF DASHCAMS IN EUROPE AND OTHER ISSUES

Watch out!! There are some important parts to be worried about!!

1st: if you plan to drive through Austria - put the Cam away, even the cables...
In Austria - DC's are completly forbidden, rumor has it the fine is up to 10'000€

2nd: in Germany, you CAN mount a Dashcam - as long as you don't intend to upload the recorded files... Fines depend on the Judge...
(there's a summary of the newest Decission: https://www.allianz.de/service/newsletter/10-2014/1-dashcam-urteil/ (it's in german, you'll have to translate)

3rd: in Switzerland, you have - if you want to upload videos - to pixelate Numberplates, Faces, Roadnames etc...

Other countries: I don't know - better be careful, especially with the rear-camera...

There are also laws according winter-tires **; if you plan to drive over some pass, I'd recommend some skid chanes... At the moment, it's rather hot for winter, but you'll never know - especially in the alps...

Also several Countries are collecting Fees, if you want to drive on Highways... Be sure to have necessary vignettes and/or small change for toll-boots (eg. in France and Italy)...

EDIT:
And check what fuel your car needs...
Germany labels "E10" (10%Ethanol) as "Normal"; if your car needs unleaded (95oct), you'll have to select "Super" in Germany... (all over Europe Unleaded will be "Normal", or in german spoken Countries (Part of Belgium, Switzerland, Lichtenstein and Austria) "Bleifrei 95")

** Edit 2:
Winter Tires (M+S Symbol on tires)
required in Austria from November till March
recommended in Germany and Italy "when Weather makes them needed"
recommended in Switzerland "during Winter"... We are using a rule of thumb "From O to O" ("Von Oktober bis Ostern") - from October till Easter

When you're driving with Summer Tires (without M+S) and have an accident, you'll be made fully responsible in Germany and Italy, even when you haven't been the one causing the accident, as youre car has not been in "appropiate condition". In Switzerland, after an accident without Wintertires when needed, Insurance won't pay a single cent... Fine in Austria will be higher than the price for 4 Wintertires...

 

[mike-k]

The important things for the cold:
1. Battery - they don't work so well in the cold so if it is getting a little slow to start then replace it before leaving.

Small hint:
if the Battery can be opened (is not sealed), it could also be that the water in the battery evaporated... Then the only thing you'll need to do is refill the battery with destilated water up to the marker (visible when the battery-chambers are opened)... Destilated Water can be bought very cheap at nearly every fuel station...

Batterys are replaced far to often, while they were only "a bit thursty"...

ALSO important: the "Windscreen Cleaning Water" might freeze in Winter; it's recommended to use a mixture which is certified for -20°, otherwhise it would freeze in the pipes...

(and during Winter, in the alps it's wise to have som Windshield-Deicing- and "Car-Desnowing"-Equipment in the car; like Brushes and Icescratcher... AND: if the car can be only opened by remote-control: check the batterystatus of the RC

Oh and I forgot before:
reflective vests (and first aid-kits) are required in almost every continental Country by now... The Vests need to be certified after EN 471; some countries require a Vest for every person in the car, some just for the driver (as they cost just a few Euros, I'd recommend to buy one for every Passenger - just to be sure... Fines will be much higher than the Price)

 

[Bungus]

And I thought Canada is bad.
Winter driving in Europe is like S'pore" A "Fine" City.

 

[mike-k]

Yeah, car driving can be expensive...

Oh - and in Switzerland, there is a "new" rule since 2014/1/1: if your car is not equiped with daylight, you have to turn on the normal light all day... When Police reminds you, that costs 60 CHF... (about 50 Dollar)