Windshield-mounted dash cams are a bit of a novelty over here, though they can be helpful. They can record accidents, crimes, or even unfortunate encounters. The technology can also be used more creatively, as you will see below. In 2013, Russians managed to capture a meteor as it streaked across the sky. There is a new craze in Japan these days, one involving vehicle crash recorders. It's not all about guts and gore, however. All over Japan, drivers are uploading and trading footage captured by their vehicle dash cams. Sure, we've seen a lot of gruesome scenes filmed this way on sites like YouTube, particularly out of Russia, where the cams are popular. These scenes are different. Instead of twisted metal and blood, drivers are capturing footage of neon-lit streetscapes, lonesome country roads, and romantic sunsets. Other videos capture near-misses.