Dashcam Statistics in Canada

Dashboard cameras, also known as dashcams, have been gaining popularity in recent years. They are small cameras that are mounted on the dashboard of a vehicle and used to record the road ahead or behind. Footage recorded with dashcams can help drivers to document accidents or dangerous driving behaviour.

In this article, we will explore dashcam statistics and trends in Canada. This will include the number of dashcams in use in Canada, the reasons drivers are using dashcams, and the impact on accident investigations and insurance claims. We have also included some global key statistics and trends for comparison.

Dashcam Statistics for Canadians

• Approximately 11% of drivers use dashcams in Canada.
• In 2022, there were 118,853 injuries in total caused by motor vehicle accidents.
• 35% of Canadian drivers with dashboard cameras have them to protect themselves from fraud.
• Fraudulent driving-related insurance claims cost Canadians around $1.6 billion every year.
• 63% of trucking companies use dashcams to monitor driver behaviour.
• Dashcam evidence can make reaching an insurance claim settlement 2.5 weeks faster.
• Russia has the highest dashcam adoption rate followed by South Korea and Taiwan.

What are Dashcams and How Do They Work?

Dashcams are small cameras that are mounted on the dashboard or windshield of a car, facing either forward or backward. They are used to record video footage of the road in front or behind the car. The footage can be used for a range of purposes such as insurance claims, legal disputes, or as evidence in the event of an accident.

Dashcams record video onto a memory card or cloud storage. They often use loop recording, meaning that when the memory card is full, the new footage will be recorded over the old footage. Some dashcams also come with additional features, which can include GPS or parking mode. Some even have motion detection that will automatically trigger the camera to record if it senses movement or impact.

Dashcams are often powered by the electrical system in the car. Some dashcams also have battery backup, which can help to ensure that footage is saved even if there is an accident or power failure.

Dashcam Use in Canada

In 2021, around 11% of Canadian drivers used dash cams in their vehicles. According to Statistics Canada, there were 26.2 million registered road motor vehicles in Canada in 2021. This means there were approximately 2,882,000 vehicles with dashcams. However, this number could be lower since some drivers may own multiple cars and move the dashcam between them.

The adoption rate of dashcams in Canada is still relatively low compared to other regions. The highest adoption rate is in Russia, where it is estimated that 60-70% of drivers use dashcams. 

Truck Drivers in Canada with Dashcams

Using dashcams is becoming increasingly popular among Canadian truck drivers, too. They can help monitor driver behaviour and improve road safety. 63% of trucking companies have installed dashcams to monitor driver behaviour. 58% of trucking companies using dashcams have seen a reduction in accidents following the installation of dashcams.

Reasons for Installing Dashcams in Canada

One of the main reasons for drivers to install dashcams is to protect themselves in case of an accident or another incident on the road. 35% of Canadian drivers with dashcams say they use the camera to protect themselves from fraud, and 29% use it to have evidence in case of an accident.

Other reasons for installing dashcams include capturing memorable road trips at 14%, monitoring the driving of other individuals at 9%, and capturing road rage incidents at 6%.

Car Accidents in Canada

One of the key benefits of dashcams is that they can provide the police and insurance companies with important information in the event of an accident. Footage from dashcams can help police determine the cause of an accident and insurance companies settle claims more accurately and quickly.

On average, there are about 160,000 collisions involving motor vehicles per year. According to Transport Canada, there were 1,768 fatalities, which was 1.3% higher than in 2020. The number of serious injuries increased by 4% from 2020 and in 2021, there were 8,185 cases where someone involved in a motor vehicle accident was seriously injured. The total number of injuries, 108,018, was up by 3.6%. In 2022, there were 118,853  injuries. This was a 9.5% year-on-year increase. 

While there was an increase in all three categories, the data collected by Transport Canada shows that the numbers are still among the lowest recorded since the records began in the early 1970s. For example, the number of deaths per 100,000 people was the second lowest on record.

Dashcams’ Impact on Accident Investigations

Approximately 40% of drivers in Canada have used dashcam footage to help the police in a road accident investigation. Using footage from dashcams can help reduce the time taken to determine the cause of an accident. It can also be used to help prevent future accidents.

Fraudulent Insurance Claims in Canada

Fraudulent insurance claims are a growing problem in Canada, with insurance fraud costing Canadians an estimated $1.6 billion per year. Having an incident recorded by a dashboard camera can help drivers protect themselves from any fraudulent claims. Insurance companies have been quick to understand the value of dashcams and some are now offering discounts on insurance policies to drivers who have a dashcam in their vehicle.

Dashcams’ Impact on Insurance Claims

Dashcams have had a noticeable impact on insurance claims in Canada, with claims involving dashcams settled more quickly than average. There are also fewer disputes when claims involve footage recorded by a dashcam. On average, settlements were 2.5 weeks faster when dashcam footage was used to show the other driver was at fault.

Dashcam footage can also provide valuable evidence if the other party disputes the fault in an accident. 42% of drivers who have dashcams have used their dashcam footage to prove the accident was not their fault.

Dashcam Privacy Concerns

While dashcams can have many benefits to drivers, the police, and insurance companies, some people have concerns over privacy issues. For example, when dashcams capture footage of other road users, there have been concerns about how the dashcam owners are using this footage.

One of the main concerns expressed over dashcam footage is that they can capture video of people who have not given their consent, for example, other drivers, pedestrians, or cyclists. This has raised some questions about the rights of these individuals and how their personal information, such as license plate details, is used.

Another concern is over the storing and sharing of dashcam footage. If the dashcam has recorded personal information, there could be a risk that the footage is accessed by unauthorised individuals. The footage could also be tampered with or deleted, which would compromise its usefulness as evidence.

How Are These Concerns Addressed in Canada?

To address people’s concerns over their privacy, in 2021, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada released guidelines for the use of dashcams. The guidelines advise drivers to use dashcam footage only for legitimate purposes, for example, for capturing evidence of an accident.

It also recommends that dashcam users should take necessary steps to protect other people’s privacy, which include positioning the camera, storing and deleting recorded footage, and only sharing video with legitimate third parties such as the police or insurance companies.

Global Dashcam Statistics

In 2021, the global dashcam industry had a market size of 3.52 billion USD. This is projected to grow to 5.94 billion USD by 2025 and 16.9 billion USD by 2029 according to Fortune Business Insights. This growth would represent a CAGR of 21.8%.

As mentioned earlier, Russia has the highest adoption rate of dashcams in the world. It is followed by South Korea and Taiwan. The adoption rate is 30-40% in both countries. The United Kingdom also has a relatively high adoption rate, with approximately 20% of drivers using dashcams. In China, the adoption rate is around 15%, while in the United States, the number of drivers with dashcams is 10-15%.

Global Dashboard Camera Trends

The global market size of the dashboard camera industry is expected to continue growing, but what are the trends expected to be in the forthcoming years?

The Popularity of Dual-Channel Cameras is Expected to Grow

Currently, most dashboard cameras are single-channel cameras, which only allow footage to be recorded from one direction, often the front of the car. Dual-channel cameras can offer more comprehensive coverage as they have two cameras, which allow simultaneous recording from the front and rear of the vehicle. Dual-channel cameras, despite their higher price tag, are becoming more popular among both commercial and private vehicle owners.

Dashcam Market in North America is Expected to Experience Significant Growth

Over the last few years, various startups in North America have focused on developing new dashcams and improving dashcam technology. In addition, many existing companies are expanding their dashcam portfolios with new and innovative products. These new developments are expected to lead to significant growth in dashcam adoption in the region.

Leading Dashcam Manufacturers

While new companies are entering the dashcam market, the market is still dominated by a few major dashcam manufacturers. Garmin Ltd is currently the market leader, followed by Panasonic Corporation.

Most other market leaders are also familiar names in the technology field, with Samsung Electronics Co and HP Development Company holding the third and fourth spots on the dashcam market. The fifth company is a less familiar company from the UK, Steelmate Automotive Ltd.

Conclusion

The popularity of dashboard cameras is growing both in Canada and worldwide. Currently, around 11% of Canadian drivers have installed dashcams in their vehicles. This is behind countries such as the United Kingdom, where 20% of drivers have dashcams, and South Korea, with 30-40% of dashcam adoption.

While dashcams have many benefits, for example, in assisting the police in determining the cause of an accident or preventing fraudulent insurance claims, there are privacy concerns linked to their increased use. There are also some concerns about the use of recordings and the safety of personal data.

Canadian drivers who are already using or are thinking of installing a dashcam should ensure they take steps to protect other people’s privacy when recording footage.