Background and context:
I'm getting tired, very tired. I live in a car-addicted cesspool (I don't own a car, I only bike and walk) with some of the worst drivers south of Mason-Dixon line. Every, and I repeat, every cyclist here has MULTIPLE stories of being hit by cars in the city that I live in. I knew a bike cop, for instance, who has been hit 7 times in uniform by careless motorists (not in a chase or anything!!!), an e-bike guy who just won a lawsuit for his second crash, and my buddy who currently holds the standing record at 8 times hit... I've been hit 4 times, and after recent events (idiots wanting me to be on the white line [no shoulder on the road, mind you] so that they can pass me with oncoming traffic on a two lane road...) I feel as though I'm due for my 5th.
I'm tired of this crap, but won't give up the hobby/lifestyle even though I know I'm gonna get schwacked real bad at some point... but... I want the car-addicted scum to pay for it this next time around (2 of my 4 incidents were hit and runs, also common here), or if the worst happens I'd rest in peace with the stupid being sent to jail for manslaughter.
THUS:
I want a camera that can be mounted/rigged to a bike that can read/recognize license plates.
It doesn't have to be a bike specific camera. I can rig a mount up if need be.
My commute bike is a classic 1980s Specialized siris road bike (105 group-set and by chance the weird bio-force crank). Drop handle bars. Steel frame. VERY STANDARD. It's a 60 size, so we got a good amount of space.
Camera must run off of an internal battery and be able to run for at least an hour, and have enough memory (or SD card slot) to hold that amount of video without a wifi connection.
The only thing I care about is getting the license plates, I don't care about quality or anything else as long as it can get the plates. A camera with recognition software would be a major plus, as I want to be able to call the cops with plate number in hand as soon as possible.
Size and weight can be a concern, but could be worked around.
In my state there is no front license plate, thus, I will only need a single front camera. My budget, therefore, can increase a bit for it.
If you think a phone would be best for the job, what mounts would you recommend for such?
I do NOT want to wear a helmet camera. Must go on the bike.
Thanks in advance.