Do dash cams record speed and audio, what your dashcam actually captures

Modern dashcams capture significantly more than just video footage. GPS-equipped models record speed data, location, and route alongside the video stream. Many dashcams also record audio from the vehicle interior. Understanding exactly what your dashcam records, how that data can be used, and the legal position on audio recording helps you get the most from your dashcam while using it appropriately.

Speed recording by dashcams

GPS-equipped dashcams record the vehicle’s GPS-derived speed alongside each frame of video footage. This speed data is embedded in the video file metadata and can be displayed as an overlay on the footage. In accident investigation, the GPS speed record provides independent evidence of the vehicle’s speed at the time of any incident, useful both for establishing fault and for defending against false speed claims by other parties.

GPS speed recording has limitations: GPS speed is calculated from position changes and has a small lag compared to real-time wheel speed. GPS accuracy can be reduced in urban canyons, tunnels, or areas with poor satellite visibility. GPS-recorded speed is generally accepted as accurate within 2 to 5 km/h for most road conditions.

LockCar’s 4G-connected dashcam systems record GPS speed data alongside video footage. The LockCar app displays speed history alongside route data, and speed events above configurable thresholds are flagged in driver behaviour reports for fleet vehicles.

Audio recording by dashcams

Many dashcams include a microphone and record audio from inside the vehicle alongside the video footage. In the UK, audio recording inside a vehicle is legal when it is the vehicle owner or user recording conversations in their own vehicle for legitimate purposes such as safety and evidence. This is distinct from covert recording of others without consent in contexts where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy.

For personal vehicles, dashcam audio recording of in-vehicle conversations during normal driving is generally lawful. For fleet vehicles where employees are driving, audio recording creates additional data protection considerations and must be disclosed in the vehicle monitoring policy. Many fleet operators disable audio recording in company vehicles to simplify compliance.

LockCar dashcam systems allow audio recording to be enabled or disabled via the device settings. Our engineers discuss audio recording preferences during the installation appointment and configure the system according to your preference.

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