Survey: How Many Drivers Own a Dash Cam? [2025]

Driver's point of view with dash cam installed on dashboard

Key Takeaways:

  • 16% of American drivers own dash cams. 
  • 39% of dash cam owners said their purchase was prompted by a previous accident or close call.
  • Non-dash cam owners were 6% more likely to report being involved in a car accident as the driver compared to dash cam owners
  • Among generations, Baby Boomers and Gen X most commonly cited “I never thought about getting one” as their reason for not owning a dash cam, while Millennials and Gen Z pointed to cost as the primary barrier..
  • 20% of dash cam owners have used their footage for an insurance claim, and 12% have used it to support a legal case.
  • Commuters were 76% more likely to own a dash cam than non-commuters, such as remote workers, homemakers, and unemployed individuals.
  • Commuters with short drives (under 10 minutes) were the most likely to own a dash cam among all commute lengths.
  • 48% of dash cam owners reported reduced stress levels since installing one.

When you think of dash cams, chances are a few viral videos come to mind—like the one where someone intentionally backs into another car to stage a rear-end collision. It’s the kind of scheme that, without evidence, might unfairly favor the front driver in an insurance claim. These outlandish scenarios are just part of the reason dash cams have gained so much popularity. ​​In fact, the dash cam market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.6% from 2023 to 2030, driven by a paradoxical combination of rising accident rates and increasing safety awareness among drivers. 

To dig deeper into this trend, we surveyed 1,000 drivers across America to get their take on dash cams and the driving experience. From analyzing driving stress levels to comparing commuter types and uncovering how dash cam owners use their tech, we found plenty of insights worth sharing.

Just How Popular Are Dash Cams?

We begin our study by exploring just how many dash cams are actually on the road today.

Sixteen percent of drivers own a dash cam—that’s more than 1 in 10 vehicles. Meanwhile, the majority of Americans (67%) have never even considered getting one, though this trend may shift in the coming years. Drivers with friends or family members who own dash cams are 8.5 times more likely to own one themselves compared to those without such connections. This trend is logical, as these individuals are likely more familiar with the product, receive recommendations on which models to buy, and hear  personal stories about the benefits of ownership. In fact, over three-quarters of dash cam owners report having a friend or family member who also owns one. This ripple effect demonstrates how shared experiences can drive awareness and adoption.

Younger generations, who are avid social media users and exposed to more shared experiences online, are among the most likely to own dash cams. Among Millennials and Gen Z, 20% and 19%, respectively, report owning one. Gen Z, however, leads in interest, with a third saying they’ve considered purchasing a dash cam. This heightened curiosity may stem from Gen Z’s engagement with viral content and meme culture. Social media platforms are flooded with videos showcasing funny, surprising, or even educational dash cam footage. As one Gen Z respondent shared, “I love dash cam videos on YouTube. My favorite channel is Mega Driving School. They post videos of accidents or bad driving captured on dash cams. They’re always interesting and make me more cautious when I drive so I know what to look for and avoid.”

To Purchase or Not To Purchase

What pushes some drivers to invest in a dash cam while others hold off? Here’s what respondents had to say.

39% of of dash cam owners said that their purchase was prompted by a previous accident or close call.

Among the 16% of respondents who reported owning a dash cam, 39% said their purchase was prompted by a previous accident or a close call. Others cited common reasons such as seeking peace of mind, receiving the dash cam as a gift, or having it included with their car purchase. For some, dash cams also serve as a way to revisit their time on the road. One man recalled, “When I sold the car I had at the time (2018 Audi S5), I checked my dash cam to relive some of the memories of me driving it a few months later. Found out that my brother took my car on a ride, without my permission, and his friends asked him, ‘Aren’t you banned from this car?’”

For non-owners, the most common reason was simply never having thought about getting a dash cam, a sentiment shared by a third of participants. When analyzing responses by generation, differences emerge. For Baby Boomers and Gen X, “never thinking about it” topped the list, reported by 40% and 41%, respectively, followed by a sense that they don’t need one. In contrast, for Millennials and Gen Z, cost was the primary barrier, noted by 30% and 43%, respectively, with uncertainty about which dash cam to buy ranking second. This highlights their interest in the product despite financial and informational hurdles. One respondent shared the complexity of the decision, explaining “I think dashcams are a very good idea to have and I have seen many stories in which they have saved people from sketchy situations. I should probably have one and maybe it will take one of these situations for me to change my ways. But I can’t justify buying one, saving the data, and maintaining one with my current situation.”

Additionally, 21% of respondents expressed concerns about the installation difficulty. As one participant admitted, “I am very pro dash cam; I just haven’t taken the leap to do my research and install one yet.” Privacy concerns, while less common, were raised by 10% of respondents. One explained, “I’m conflicted. In general, I hate that there are cameras everywhere. I also know those same cameras can provide protection (or prosecution) in many instances.”

Dash Cams in Practice

Car accidents are often unpredictable, and most dash cam owners would probably prefer never to need their footage. After all, needing it usually means something went wrong. But how many people have actually benefited from having their dash cam recordings?

66% of drivers have experienced at least one car accident as the driver. 6% more non-dash cam owners reported being involved in a car accident compared to dash cam owners.

Sixty-six percent of surveyed drivers reported experiencing at least one car accident as the driver, with 18% having been involved in three or more. Interestingly, non-dash cam owners were 6% more likely to report car collisions compared to those who owned dash cams. This finding challenges the assumption that more accidents would lead people to purchase a dash cam.

When non-dash cam owners who had experienced accidents were asked how having a dash cam might have helped, responses were mixed. About one-third believed the footage would have been useful, while the rest felt it likely wouldn’t have made a difference. Dash cams, typically installed on the dashboard, are designed to capture front-facing footage. However, their major limitation is the inability to record incidents involving rear-end or side impacts. Despite this flaw, dash cam ownership offers tangible benefits in the aftermath of certain accidents. For instance, 20% of owners stated that their footage was helpful for completing insurance claims, while 12% used their recordings to support legal cases.

Dash cams are also valuable for capturing incidents unrelated to collisions. One respondent shared a story about how a dash cam uncovered unexpected damage during a service visit:

“My brother took his BMW to get serviced. When he picked up his car later that day, he noticed a long scratch on the passenger side. He didn’t see it until he got home. He called the BMW dealer to tell them, but they tried to deny it at first. Then he told the manager he had a dash cam, which showed the technician brushing against a tree while driving the car. The technician was also on the phone with his girlfriend the whole time, talking bad about the company and saying he hated working there. The manager told my brother to bring the car back in, gave him a complete new paint job, and even some extra cash. Lol!”

Exploring Driver Stress

While dash cams are used only occasionally, how does simply owning one influence the overall driving experience? To what extent do dash cams help reduce stress? We’ve analyzed driver stress levels by work arrangement and commute time, along with the shift that happens after ownership. 

Interestingly, unemployed and remote workers were the most likely to report feeling very stressed while driving, with 8% saying so. This suggests that regular commuting may build familiarity with driving conditions, making extreme stress less common among those who drive frequently. However, moderate stress levels tend to rise with regular commuting. Among full-time in-office workers, 26% reported feeling moderately stressed, the highest percentage among all groups.

Stress levels were also analyzed based on commute length for workers who spend at least some days in the office. Commuters with a drive of over 40 minutes were the most likely to report high stress, with 8% feeling very stressed and 37% feeling moderately stressed. These levels were 76% higher than those reported by individuals with commutes between 20 and 40 minutes. As commute lengths shortened, stress levels consistently decreased, reinforcing the link between longer commutes and elevated stress.

18% of commuters own a dash cam. They were 76% more likely to own one than non-commuters, such as remote workers, homemakers, and unemployed individuals. 20% of commuters with commutes under 10 minutes own a dash cam. They were most likely to own one out of all commute lengths. They were 43% more likely to own one than commuters with commutes over 40 minutes. 30% of commuters with commutes over 40 minutes, however , were considering purchasing one. They were the most likely group to express interest.

Dash cam ownership also varied based on commuting habits. Commuters were the most likely to own a dash cam, with 18% reporting ownership. They were 76% more likely to report this than non-commuters. However, ownership decreased as commute length increased. Those with commutes of 10 minutes or less were the most likely to own a dash cam, with 20% saying so, while only 14% of those with commutes over 40 minutes reported the same. Interestingly, commuters with drives exceeding 40 minutes were the most likely to consider purchasing a dash cam, with 30% expressing interest.

When examining how stress levels have shifted among dash cam owners, the findings reveal the following.

For dash cam owners, the impact on stress levels was significant. Nearly half, or 48%, reported a decrease in stress since owning one, and 14% noted a significant reduction. As one respondent shared, “I simply love my dash cam because it provides me with legal protection against wrongful accusations by law enforcement. I also don’t have to worry about fraudulent claims from staged accidents. These are two burdens that cease to raise my stress levels.” For 50% of owners, stress levels remained unchanged, while only 2% reported an increase. This increase could potentially be attributed to external factors unrelated to dash cam use. These results highlight the potential of dash cams to provide peace of mind for many drivers.

Weighing the Benefits of Dash Cams

Dash cams act as a safety net for many drivers, providing peace of mind during routine drives and serving as invaluable evidence when unexpected incidents occur. Many owners have successfully used their footage for insurance claims or legal disputes, and even a third of non-owners surveyed believe that a dash cam could have helped them in past situations.

The decision to purchase a dash cam is shaped by a variety of factors. While past accidents often act as a catalyst, ownership isn’t necessarily linked to the number of accidents experienced. Instead, familiarity and exposure play a central role. Recommendations from friends and family, along with the growing influence of social media, have significantly contributed to raising awareness about the benefits of dash cams.

At the same time, many drivers opt out of purchasing a dash cam for personal reasons. Common barriers include never having thought about it, perceiving the price as too high, not feeling the need for one, or facing challenges with research and installation. For some, privacy concerns or doubts about the practicality of maintaining a dash cam add another layer of hesitation.

Ultimately, the decision to invest in a dash cam is a personal one, shaped by individual circumstances, priorities, and preferences. Whether driven by the desire for peace of mind, protection, or curiosity, what matters most is that drivers feel confident and satisfied with their choice, knowing it aligns with their unique needs.

Methodology

We surveyed 1,000 individuals who currently own or lease a car. Among them, 16% were Baby Boomers, 30% were Gen X, 33% were Millennials, and 21% were Gen Z. By gender, 51% were male, 48% were female, and 1% were non-binary. 

Fair Use Statement

We hope you found this article insightful. If you know someone considering a dash cam or who might benefit from learning more, feel free to share our findings. We kindly ask that you include a link back to this page to give proper credit to the research and findings presented here.