CYCLISTS and motorists are being called on to send police footage of careless and dangerous driving in the West Midlands.
The campaign – ‘Record, Report, Result’ – got underway with a series of adverts and billboards across the region as part of Road Safety Awareness Week.
It forms part of Operation Snap (Op Snap), a national policing initiative that asks members of the public to submit footage of anyone committing driving offences, such as dangerous driving, using a mobile phone while driving, or not wearing a seatbelt.
Each piece of footage that is sent to the Op Snap team, whether captured on a dashcam, CCTV or a mobile phone held by a passenger, is reviewed by specially-trained staff. If an offence is identified, the driver can be prosecuted or told to take a driver improvement course.
Thousands of people have already sent in dashcam, helmet cam and mobile footage showing careless and reckless driving that puts lives at risk. The number of submissions has soared from 207 in 2017, to 7,145 in 2023, and more than 11,000 already this year.
West Midlands Police said over four in five reports sent in by the public have resulted in a positive outcome, including warning letters, education courses, fixed penalties and prosecution.
Tanya Johnson, who heads up the Operation Snap team, said: “Road safety is an absolute priority for West Midlands Police and the work of our specialised team is already making a real difference.”
“It doesn’t take long a member of the public to file a report and each one makes a real difference to road safety. Every dangerous driver who has been filmed and had to pay the price will, and should, be thinking again about the way they drive.”
The Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands, Simon Foster, launched the campaign.
Mr Foster, said: “Putting an end to dangerous driving is one of my top priorities, and I know it’s something that matters to the people of the West Midlands.
“These dangerous drivers need to be held to account and face the consequences of their actions. The public can aid us in doing that, so I’d urge anyone who has recorded footage to share it with the police, help bring perpetrators to justice, and ultimately reduce the number of people tragically and avoidably killed and seriously injured on our roads.”
Reports to the Op Snap team must be submitted within 10 days of the alleged offence and footage should include the whole incident (and, wherever possible, one minute prior to and after the offence).
Along with the footage, submissions need to include details about the date, time and location of the incident, and the registration, make and colour of the vehicle.
For more or to send in dash and cyclecam footage visit West Midlands Police’s website.
