Motorists are being warned about a new parking concern that could see Britons more at risk of being involved in an accident or even slapped with a fine.
As cars become more technologically advanced, drivers want to keep up with the latest trends, including having multiple cameras around the car to monitor their surroundings.
While many new vehicles have parking sensors and cameras at the front and the rear to help them navigate, owners of slightly older vehicles are taking matters into their own hands.
Experts are now warning drivers that they could be at risk as non-reputable sources could land them in hot water when buying car accessories.
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Experts are urging drivers not to rely solely on their parking sensors and cameras
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They warn that drivers are warned against relying solely on parking cameras as they can provide a false sense of security, which can be worsened by a lack of professional equipment.
It can be helpful for motorists to have an improved view towards the back of the vehicle, but cameras sold on budget websites can provide an inaccurate view.
If drivers have a poor perspective and false perception of their distance, they could end up crashing into another vehicle or being too close to a hazard.
Jake Smith, director of Absolute Reg, said relying on technology which may not be trustworthy can pose a serious danger to road users.
He continued, saying: “We have seen a rise in the number of online videos from road users showing the skewed perspective of their cheap parking cameras.
“These cheap parking cameras are producing inaccurate views of behind the car, with wildly inaccurate depth perception.
“This could very easily lead a driver into making a mistake and causing damage to their vehicle or someone else’s.”
In the event that someone is using a poor-quality parking camera, the warped view of the road behind them could see them end up parking on double yellow lines or contravening other restrictions.
The Highway Code outlines that double yellow lines tend to indicate a prohibition of waiting at any time even if there are no upright signs.
It is generally up to the local council to enforce these fines, with the penalty charge notice costing £70 outside of London and up to £130 inside the capital.
When using an online marketplace, like Amazon, drivers are advised to look at the reviews of the products, rather than the price to ensure they are safe and reliable.
The expert suggested that these deals could be “too good to be true”, especially if prices massively undercut other more established brands.
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Smith continued, saying that motorists should avoid relying solely on parking cameras, regardless of whether they have been purchased or if they were already fitted.