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Camera Operations
Shooting from Vehicles

Anybody driving a vehicle must be able to concentrate on that task whether on a private or public road.  The safety of the occupants of the vehicle and other road users has priority over everything else.  If on a public road, whether in the UK or not, legal requirements must be met.
 
General points to consider:
  • The driver of the vehicle should be experienced and familiar enough with it to drive in the intended conditions.  If not, time should be scheduled for this practice.
  • Does the activity require a professional driver? If in doubt consult your safety advisor.
  • Are appropriate insurance arrangements in place for the whole shooting activity with the vehicle(s)?
  • The camera operator should be secure and seat belted within the vehicle by law if used on a public road.  Other arrangements should be agreed with the police. On private roads safety measures may well need to be exactly the same unless alternative harnessing is fitted by an expert.
  • Camera and other equipment must be secured within the vehicle to prevent it striking an occupant in the event of an accident, swerve or heavy braking. A hand held camera should have a lanyard attached restricting its travel.
  • If shooting from a car window on a public road, the camera (or any other equipment) must not protrude more than approximately 30cm from the vehicle*.  

    *Reference: Avon & Somerset Police Force interpretation of what constitutes a change in a vehicle's profile.

  • No exterior door (or bonnet) mounted camera equipment should be used on a vehicle driven on an uncontrolled public road. The exception may be a very small mini-cam, but only if it does not impede driver vision in any way, and its size, weight and position cannot be a danger to pedestrians or other road users. The exception, with police permission, could be a securely mounted camera on/or protruding from a vehicle roof. However, an operator standing out of a sun roof is not permitted.
  • No lighting should be used within a vehicle that can possibly impair the driver's clarity of vision or provide distraction.