Change to use of dashcam from DIY traffic cops branded 'shame'
Operation Snap – spearheaded by road safety unit GoSafe – has established a digital platform that encourages the submission of video recordings showing traffic offences. Amongst the most reported misdeeds are reckless driving and perilously close overtakes of cyclists, together with incidents of jumping red lights.
The initiative has been hailed as a "valuable tool" for clamping down on motorists. As more individuals employ dashcams and helmet-cams, submissions to the portal have risen sharply.
From 2021 to 2023, there was a twofold increase in submitted footage, this spike has prompted GoSafe to announce an immediate change to the handling of submissions while a comprehensive review is underway.
This adjustment will not impact the processing of "serious" incidents flagged by the public. However, there will be a new approach when minor infractions are reported to the police.
Until now, these minor concerns resulted in warning letters sent out to offenders. This procedure will stop until the review establishes a long-term strategy.
MickHookem states: "Why not just drive safely and lawfully? Unless you've got something to hide, of course."
TheGreyMullet writes: "Shame. Surely it's better to be proactive in modifying behaviour to avoid serious accidents rather than just being reactive after they happen. Lives already likely ruined at that point."
Ofcourseitis adds: "There are an element of people who deliberately go out of their way to cause and entrap unsuspecting motorists with their vigilante operations, its good to see the police taking a sensible stance and only dealing with the most serious of cases."
Msdt believes: "Another excuse for the police to stay in their offices instead of being out there!"
Cooperman1927 says: "I have a dash cam and could make it a full time job sending evidence of bad driving but I would rather have a better hobby."
Tdhprestatyn comments: "A country where citizens spy and report each other. What an awful practice and place. So glad I left 11 years ago. Looking from outside in, Wales is descending into a socialist state. I don't even stay in Wales now to visit family, just stay across the border and drive (very slowly) in."
Vaux08hall writes: "If the police are overwhelmed with the number being sent in then it only proves how bad the standard of driving is in Wales, it also coincides with the 20mph being introduced."
Ofcourseitis replies: "The police are overwhelmed because the speed laws in Wales are unfit for purpose so most people ignore them and the vigilante busy bodies get to work with their secret filming and snitching."
Thesheaperd questions: "So let me get this straight - the Police are saying they are going to ignore people breaking the law if they think it is not important enough, who decides if it is important enough? This is why we have laws to begin with, the state of the UK is going down the drain."
Statistix answers: "It may just be a case of those who love to complain, but only if they can remain anonymous, have been given free reign and a pat on the back up until now."
AlbertKelly adds: "You could always try driving safely so you don't have anything to worry about."
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