Every motorist can testify to the frustrations that can come with driving. It is not so much the heavy traffic, which of course brings its own irritations, but the number of incidents that can occur that are caused by the recklessness of another driver. There is not always a witness on hand who can relay to the authorities what happened, nor a traffic camera to record the incident accurately. But where such a situation would once have been written off as bad luck, that frustration at least can be done away with thanks to a discreetly positioned car camera.

There is nothing illegal about having a camera in a car to record the events of a journey. In fact, so long as a recording device is being used for security or surveillance purposes, and not focused on individuals for personal gain, it is permissible. That is why the clock camera is acceptable in the home, where a home owner wishes to ensure the safety of their family members or possessions by recording from what otherwise looks like a simple clock. By availing of in car CCTV systems, the car owner can both add to his or her security measures and have a method of recording an unexpected incident.

It is only on rare occasions that such cameras will need to be called upon, but the uncertainty of driving in the modern city, on motorways or even in country villages, means that vigilance is always advisable. At any time, a reckless driver can cut across another to cause, or almost cause, an accident, while speeding can also lead to a dangerous incident. By having a camera in a car, such things are recorded and available as evidence should the police require it.

Of course, the principal reason for setting up a recording device is to protect property. When damage is done to a car, the owner has the right to seek compensation from the insurance company of the guilty party, but that guilty party does not always stay to provide the necessary details. By providing video footage, details of the accident are not only available, but the registration plate of the other car can also be provided to the authorities.

In this regard, the position of the camera itself is very important. The dashboard is the most logical place to mount it, but it can also be attached to the rear view mirror, focused on the road ahead. Additional cameras can be placed in the rear, to capture any incidents that may occur from behind.

Unfortunately, there are plenty of reasons to justify keeping security cameras in the home. While they are not usually considered an intense necessity, cameras can be used as an extra line of defence against intruders who might have found a way past the home alarm system. Being able to record an intruder in the home can, firstly, help to identify the individual and, secondly, to provide evidence if or when that intruder is caught by the authorities.

These cameras are always small and discreet, perhaps positioned high on the ceiling of the living room or in corners where they are least noticeable. However, they can also be hidden in the most unlikely places. Often, a clock is a perfect disguise because of its prominent position on a wall, or on a sideboard.

Clocks, while working perfectly as a time piece, can house infrared digital recorders that can record continuously for as long as 10 hours, at a rate of 25 frames per second. In fact, these hidden cameras can be so sophisticated they can be programmed to record at specific times and in low light, making it more economical on its own battery power.

It is an unfortunate truth of life that such steps are necessary at all, but there are advantages. Because of in car CCTV, drivers rarely have to go to court to have an incident settled, which not only saves time but also cuts the costs involved in insurance matters. In the home, meanwhile, simple clock camera can serve to have an intruder or burglar identified and arrested.

So, as a result of this secret home and car camera technology, greater security can be enjoyed by drivers and home owners.