More DIY traffic cops shopping bad drivers like these in North Wales
Increasing numbers of drivers, bikers and cyclists are becoming the eyes of traffic police in North Wales. Latest data shows the number of people submitting dashcam and helmet-cam video footage in the region almost doubled between 2021 and 2023.
Figures for the first half of 2024 suggests the amount of video footage is due to rise again significantly this year. Action taken by the DIY traffic officers is leading to scores of motorists being fined, taken to court or sent on driving courses.
GoSafe oversees Operation Snap, an online system inviting people to submit video evidence. Most offences are for careless driving and passing too close to cycles. Jumping red lights at junctions is also fairly common. Over the years, miscellaneous offences have included two drivers caught with dogs on their laps.
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Data from 2022 indicates that fewer people are willing to report motorists using mobile phones while driving. That year, just 14 mobile users were filmed and reported, compared with 238 motorists for careless driving.
Among those who was shopped for using a mobile was a new driver filmed by the car in front while driving along Rhos Road, Rhos on Sea in Conwy. Being licensed less than two years, the offender was not eligible for a fixed penalty and was summonsed to court instead. GoSafe said: “In court, the driver pleaded guilty and received fines and costs totalling £296, six points on their full licence and had their licence revoked back to provisional status.”
Another case highlighted by the safety partnership involved an orange Audi filmed overtaking several vehicles on the A499 near Pwllheli, Gwynedd. The driver was filmed on dashcam by a motorist travelling in the opposite direction.
“This caused the submitter of this footage to brake suddenly and move towards a grass curb to avoid a collision,” said GoSafe. “During the police investigation it was established that the driver’s driving licence was expired, so the matter was sent to court.” The driver admitted driving without due care and attention, and received £202 in fines and costs, along with six penalty points on their licence. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now
Operation Snap was first piloted in North Wales in October 2016, leading to to 150 motorists being punished. North Wales Police subsequently said there was “nowhere for careless and dangerous drivers to hide”.
South Wales Police followed suit in April 2017, and the system has since been adopted by police forces across Wales and England. As well as drivers of all types of vehicles, Operation Snap can be used to report other roads users, from pedestrians to cyclists, motorcyclists and even horse riders. Operation Snap does not target social media platforms.
A Freedom of Information request shows that, in 2021, 844 people in North Wales were reported via Operation Snap. The following year, 1,071 people were reported, and by 2023, the number had risen to 1,565. For the first six months of 2024, the figure stands at 980 – equivalent to 1,960 for the year.
GoSafe accepts evidence for the following offences: Dangerous driving; Driving without due care and attention; Careless driving; Using a mobile phone: Not wearing a seat belt; Jumping a red light; Contravening solid white lines; and where drivers are not in proper control of their vehicles.
The number of North Wales drivers reported in 2022, and their offences, is set out below.
Careless driving: 238
Careless driving (close pass between cars and cycles): 227
No offence detected (no further action): 198
Evidential difficulties (no further action): 161
Jumping red light: 109
Miscellaneous offences: 56
Contravene solid white line: 53
Not in proper control (mobile phones): 14
In many cases, no further action is taken. Of the 1,565 North Wales drivers reported in 2023, this was the outcome for 608 of them. Advice notices were sent to 319 people, and 121 were sent on an “education course”. Just 97 fixed penalty notices were issued, and only 50 drivers were taken to court.
The surge in North Wales incidents being reported to Operation Snap chimes with the UK-wide picture. Last year, police forces across Britain received more than 72,000 dash cam submissions, up 77% from 2021. Outcomes can range from warning letters to jail sentences.
Andrew Davies, from dash cam experts iCompario, said video footage submitted by the public is helping to ensure that bad drivers are held accountable. He added: “The public are now an extra eye on the roads – this should be a warning for all motorists that they could be caught by other drivers.
“Dash cam technology is constantly improving, and they are likely to be used by more and more motorists, which will in turn help roads become safer.” Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
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