IN-CAR CAMERAS :TRAINING
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l
THE INSTRUCTOR
digital camera) for instant playback and the file
type can be viewed on any computer with no
special software.
You may also want an interior camera to
show the pupil how to improve their steering
technique or observation. This could be perfect
for Instructor Trainers. However, not everyone will
be comfortable with this, so be aware of this.
When I first started using an interior camera I
had 4 people who asked me to turn it off as they
were a bit self-conscious of being recorded.
Data protection & driving tests
This is where there are a few grey areas (hence
the following disclaimer). What I've written below
is purely my own opinion and experience.
If you are recording sound or video inside the
car, you should technically register with the
ICO (Information Commissioner's Office) as you
are storing the files (if only for a short period
before they are overwritten). You should also get
consent from anyone in the car.
One way around this is to give each pupil
their own SD card that they bring to the lesson
(probably not the most practical solution).
With the camera I'm using now, it's used on the
outside of the car only, and no sound, mainly as
I found this to be the best balance for my pupils
and myself.
As far as the driving tests go, the DSA are very
clear on camera usage. Under no circumstances
are you allowed to record a driving test, so make
sure you unplug it or remove it before you leave
the car.
Finally, how easy are they to use?
Once unpacked, it should take no more than a
few minutes to get it installed in the car. Simply
insert the SD card, plug in the power cable and
use the suction mount to fix it to the windscreen.
That's it, turn the camera on and you're
recording. You might need to play around with
the position to get the best view, and the use of
sticky tabs, cable ties or Blu-Tack could be useful
to keep the wires out of the way.
With thanks for Rob Laird
www.rpldrivingschool.co.uk
An example of an in-car camera