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Wales Online
10 hours ago
- General
- Wales Online
Change to use of dashcam from DIY traffic cops branded 'shame'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Readers of North Wales Live have been actively debating the recent shift in police policy around the acceptance of dashcam footage. A digital portal permits public contributions of evidence concerning traffic violations. 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." Do you believe that sending in dashcam footage is the best way to help the Police sort out bad/dangerous driving? Comment below or HERE to join in the conversation.
North Wales Live
15 hours ago
- General
- North Wales Live
Change to use of dashcam from DIY traffic cops branded 'shame'
Readers of North Wales Live have been actively debating the r ecent shift in police policy around the acceptance of dashcam footage. A digital portal permits public contributions of evidence concerning traffic violations. 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."
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Police crack down on 'incredibly dangerous' U-turns
Devon and Cornwall Police is targeting drivers carrying out U-turn manoeuvres at a collision hotspot in Cornwall. Vision Zero South West and National Highways have installed signs along the Hayle bypass section of the A30, where "dangerous U-turns" have led to multiple crashes and one death. It said the signs would encourage drivers to report U-turns to police as part of its Operation Snap initiative. National Highways senior road safety engineer, Oliver Dash, said: "Carrying out U-turn manoeuvres on a road such as the Hayle bypass is incredibly dangerous. Although we've installed a U-turn ban, it doesn't appear to be a sufficient deterrent." A U-turn ban and associated signage was implemented in the area in 2021, after a study identified eight collisions in the area since 2014 as a result of U-turns. The collisions resulted in one death, with five people seriously injured and 12 with minor injuries. "We're working with Vision Zero South West and Devon and Cornwall Police's Operation Snap initiative to raise awareness of the risks and encourage responsible road users to report any drivers undertaking these manoeuvres," Mr Dash said. Motorists with dashcam footage of drivers carrying out the manoeuvres have been urged to submit it to the police to "make the A30 safer for everyone". More news stories for Cornwall Listen to the latest news for Cornwall Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Traffic worse since A30 upgrade, residents say Devon and Cornwall Police Vision Zero South West
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Police crack down on 'incredibly dangerous' U-turns
Devon and Cornwall Police is targeting drivers carrying out U-turn manoeuvres at a collision hotspot in Cornwall. Vision Zero South West and National Highways have installed signs along the Hayle bypass section of the A30, where "dangerous U-turns" have led to multiple crashes and one death. It said the signs would encourage drivers to report U-turns to police as part of its Operation Snap initiative. National Highways senior road safety engineer, Oliver Dash, said: "Carrying out U-turn manoeuvres on a road such as the Hayle bypass is incredibly dangerous. Although we've installed a U-turn ban, it doesn't appear to be a sufficient deterrent." A U-turn ban and associated signage was implemented in the area in 2021, after a study identified eight collisions in the area since 2014 as a result of U-turns. The collisions resulted in one death, with five people seriously injured and 12 with minor injuries. "We're working with Vision Zero South West and Devon and Cornwall Police's Operation Snap initiative to raise awareness of the risks and encourage responsible road users to report any drivers undertaking these manoeuvres," Mr Dash said. Motorists with dashcam footage of drivers carrying out the manoeuvres have been urged to submit it to the police to "make the A30 safer for everyone". More news stories for Cornwall Listen to the latest news for Cornwall Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Traffic worse since A30 upgrade, residents say Devon and Cornwall Police Vision Zero South West
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Wales Online
Major change to police use of dashcam footage from DIY traffic cops in Wales
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A major change has been announced to how police in Wales will use dashcam and other footage showing potential traffic offences. Operation Snap - led by road safety partnership GoSafe - is a digital portal that encourages public submissions of video proof of traffic violations. Careless driving and dangerously close overtakes of cyclists top the list of offences, along with running red lights. It has proved successful and been a "valuable tool" in cracking down on dangerous drivers. But with an increasing number of drivers and riders using dashcams and helmet cams the number of videos submitted has rocketed. The amount of footage submitted doubled from 2021 to 2023 and has continued to rise since then. It has seen GoSafe announce an immediate change to how it deals with many of those submissions as a major review is carried out. This won't affect "serious" cases that are highlighted by the public. But there will be a change when lower level issues are brought to the attention of police. Sign up now for the latest news on the North Wales Live Whatsapp community Up to now these have been dealt with in the form of a warning letter going out to drivers and riders. But this will no longer happen at this time while a review will decide what the longer term plan will be. GoSafe said: "Since its inception in 2017 Operation Snap has proved a valuable tool for Road Safety in Wales. It allows member of the public to submit footage of potential road traffic offences, directly to the police, via an internet portal, and where appropriate suitable action can be taken against offenders, as part of the overall Welsh road safety effort. "However, the scheme has become so successful that the team is no longer able to manage the demand submitted by the public. We are in the process of reviewing the operation, in order to ensure that it remains efficient and effective. "Therefore, until further notice, we will not be able to take any further action in cases which would previously be dealt with by warning letter. This change will mean that the operation can continue, and that the teams will be able to deal with the most serious cases submitted. "We would like to thank you for your patience and understanding during this time." A concerned driver, who said they had used the service, said it was a "real shame" and that the police should increase funding. They added: "Dashcam submissions must be one of the most cost effective methods the police have. Rather than employing one or two trained officers in a maintained performance car, they merely have to assess a 1 or 2 minute video. These submissions also avoid the dangers associated with stopping a vehicle on a public road." Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
