Portugal warns tourists of 'illegal' device owned by 33 million British people
UK tourists planning to drive to Portugal this summer, should be aware of the country's rules regarding dash cams
For many Brits, summer plans typically revolve around packing up the car and taking the Eurotunnel to France, with the ultimate goal of spending their holiday soaking up the sun on the beaches of Spain and Portugal.
However, this long-standing tradition could now pose a problem for tourists planning to drive around Portugal. New regulations and potential restrictions could make driving with certain devices, such as dash cams, a challenge.
A new European driving law could potentially hit British tourists with a hefty fine of up to £21,000 this summer.
Despite the fact that 32.7 million drivers in the UK have dash cams installed, using this technology abroad could lead to some unexpected consequences. Some European Union nations consider dash cams to be a significant invasion of privacy, the Yorkshire Live reports.
Tim Rodie, a driving expert at Motorpoint, states: "When driving in Portugal, Luxembourg and Austria, it's not permitted to operate a dashcam as they're deemed as an invasion of privacy and carry hefty fines."
"Dashcams are popular among UK drivers as they can save you thousands of pounds in insurance claims, however, they could set you back an eye-watering €25,000 (£21,300) fine for repeat offenders in Austria."
The RAC warned: "And in a few countries - such as Austria and Portugal - dash cam use is completely banned. Repeat offenders in Austria face eye-watering five-figure fines."
"The message therefore is to make sure you obey the law on dash cam use in whichever country you're driving in."
While car manufacturer Skoda said: "Portugal has the strictest approach: you're not even allowed to own a dashcam! So you can expect the police to give you a hard time even if they find a dashcam on a seat in your car, in the glove compartment or in the boot."
"What drivers are supposed to do if the only route into the country goes through Spain, where the use of cameras is unrestricted, is anybody's guess."
Although the situation can become complicated if the only route into Portugal is through Spain, where dash cams are allowed. While in Portugal the dash cam is deemed illegal due to privacy regulations.
Recording people or private property without consent can result in fines. However, some users claim they have used dash cams without issues, as long as they refrain from distributing identifiable recordings.
Whether this type of footage is admissible in court is ultimately up to the judge.
Users should exercise caution and take data protection laws into account when using or sharing recordings. As for "usage allowed," Portugal advises: "Contentious; not explicitly illegal but fraught with privacy concerns."
When driving to Portugal this summer UK tourists should take the country's advice into account to make sure they stay safe and always stay vigilant whilst on the road.
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