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Singapore. In-vehicle cameras which capture what happens in front of a vehicle may soon be installed in some taxis here.

SMRT Taxis is exploring the idea of outfitting its fleet of more than 3,000 taxis with the cameras, which can record footage usable as evidence that could well protect the driver in the event of an accident.

TransCab expects to have the cameras in all its 4,300 taxis by year’s end.

The two cab operators jointly run more than a quarter of the 26,000 cabs here.

The largest cab operator Comfort Delgro, which operates more than 15,000 cabs, could not provide information on this matter yesterday.

SMRT Taxis director Tony Heng said of the usefulness of the cameras in disputes over accidents: “The footage will clearly show what happened and which party is at fault. The device could also encourage better driving habits.”

He said SMRT Taxis was evaluating a tender for the supply of these cameras.

TransCab is also looking at camera models to submit to the Land Transport Authority for approval.

The cameras — small video camcorders — are placed behind or beside the rear-view mirror. They continuously record what happens on the road as the cabbies go about their day.

Such in-vehicle cameras have been around for a few years, but the latest models have features such as shock sensors, which can tell if the impact in a collision came from the rear, front or side of the vehicle. This is important as the camera records only what happens in front.

Cabby Tay Seng Kok, who is taking part in SMRT Taxis’ pilot phase, has been given two models of camera to put to the test.

Of the two models he is trying, one is the Roadscan Pro, which requires him to download the contents of its SD card onto a computer to view the video; the other is the WDR Motion Detector, which has a small screen on its back that lets him view the footage captured.

Both cameras have a storage memory of two hours, before they begin recording over previously captured footage — but footage is automatically saved upon impact.

Whichever model SMRT Taxis picks, Tay is already sold on the idea of having a camera on board: “It’s definitely a form of protection for us. I had an accident four years ago where the other driver was at fault but I still had to pay up. If I had a camera then, I would have had proof that I didn’t do anything wrong.”

Beyond being “protection,” the camera may also induce other road users to give cabbies more deference, he added.

He recounted that he recently tried to switch lanes because of roadworks on the lane he was in. Another vehicle refused to give way, but instead came very close to him, honked, and overtook him, then pulled to an abrupt stop in front of him.

The driver got out of the car and strode angrily towards Tay, but as soon as he saw the camera, he did an about-turn and walked back to his car, said Tay.

Cabby Yong Siew Woon, 60, is not even waiting for SMRT Taxis to give him a camera. He forked out $368 to buy himself one after two accidents.

In the first, the other party admitted liability and paid for the damage. In the second, another cab driver hit his vehicle while reversing and blamed him, but the closed-circuit TV cameras at a nearby petrol station proved he was in the clear.

He said: “I don’t want to take any more chances. Without this, it’s very hard to win your case even if you didn’t do anything wrong.”

Saying all vehicles should have such cameras, he added: “Ideally, we should have one in front and one behind. Nowadays, many drivers follow very closely behind your car, and that can cause accidents too.”

Reprinted courtesy of Straits Times Indonesia. To subscribe to Straits Times Indonesia and/or the Jakarta Globe call 021 2553 5055.