Dash cams are need of the hour, B'luru

Hameed Ashraf | NT

Bengaluru: Dashboard cameras, or simply, 'Dash cams' have become necessary for vehicles on the road, thanks to a new form of fraud that has recently surfaced in the city.

On Saturday, two bikeborne miscreants chased a car and attempted to stop it after overtaking the vehicle. The duo then threatened the car occupants accusing the driver of crashing into their bike.

When the driver refused to pay them, the miscreants pelted the vehicle with stones until they smashed a window glass.

The incident came to light after a dash cam video of the incident was brought to the notice of Bengaluru Police through Twitter. Acting swiftly, the Whitefield Police arrested the two accused.

DCP Whitfield Division, S Girish on Monday told News Trail that an FIR has been registered pertaining to the incident and further probe is underway.

'Do not lower car windows if caught in staged road rage case'

Joint Commissioner, Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP), MN Anucheth advised people to avoid engaging in fights with strangers or lowering their car windows in such cases.

Instead the officer recommends that citizens alert nearby police stations. Many such incidents have taken place in different parts of Bengaluru making more and more people in the city install dashcams on their vehicles in order to avoid getting into dangerous confrontations.

"The criminals keep innovating on a regular basis and adopt newer modus operandi. Their main motive is to make money," a senior traffic police officer said.

Modus operandi

Explaining how the gangs operate, the officer said that these people position themselves on two-wheelers and target potential victims travelling in cars.

They intentionally collide or strike the car, verbally abusing the occupants and provoking the driver to engage in a confrontation. They then demand money from the victim.

" Miscreants make sure no policemen are around before staging the incidents," the officer added.