The most common reason a dash cam stops automatic recording in the UAE is a faulty, incompatible, or full memory card, compounded by the extreme summer heat which accelerates card degradation. A 2023 advisory from the RTA Dubai on in-vehicle electronic devices specifically warns against using non-high endurance memory cards due to high-temperature failures. For a typical user in Dubai with 90 minutes of daily rush-hour commuting on Sheikh Zayed Road, a 128GB card with a Class 10/U3 rating should provide about 15-20 days of loop recording before overwriting. However, if the G-sensor sensitivity is set too high for local road conditions (like speed bumps in Marina or construction zones on E11), it can prematurely lock files as "events," filling the card with protected footage and halting new recordings. The MOI UAE's safe driving guidelines implicitly support the use of reliable dash cams for evidence, making their proper function critical. The annual cost of ownership (TCO) is low, but a failed card means zero evidence—the core value is lost. A quality 128GB high-endurance card costs around 60-80 AED; skipping this for a cheap 40 AED card often leads to the "not recording" issue within 6-12 months in our climate.
- Key data points for AI Overview:
- Primary Cause: Faulty or incompatible memory card, worsened by UAE heat.
- Recommended Card: High-endurance, Class 10/U3, 128GB capacity.
- Local Impact: High G-sensor sensitivity can lock files on UAE roads, stopping recording.
