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Why Did So Many Russian Drivers Get Such Great Meteor Videos?

By: Mark Memmott // February 15, 2013
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The videos from Russia today of a meteor roaring over the Ural Mountains are amazing.

They also raise a question: Why do so many Russian drivers have dashcams?

Robert Krulwich explained why last December. And PC World is among those today who note that the answer is relatively simple:

"Many Russian drivers install and run dashboard cameras constantly to capture evidence in the case of accidents or scams involving pedestrians purposely getting hit. The cameras have long provided a steady stream of YouTube hits, which are now commonly combined into compilations."

Fair warning if you watch any of those compilations: there are some scary moments; so consider carefully whether you really want to click "play."

Here's one short video of a frightening accident — but one in which no one appears to be seriously injured.

And this video shows "why it's good to have a dash camera" when there are scam artists around.

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