‘The police can’t be everywhere, but the public can’

13.27 | 4 August 2022 |

With one in five vehicles now fitted with a dash cam, motorists are being warned to ‘drive like they’re being filmed’ every time they get behind the wheel.

The warning comes from Road Safety Support, who regularly examine video footage for police forces to use in legal proceedings.

It coincides with National Dash Cam Day, which takes place tomorrow (5 August).

Dash cam footage can be used to prosecute for a range of offences, including speeding, dangerous or careless driving and driving while using a mobile phone.

Figures from dash cam manufacturer Nextbase show that more than 57,000 clips of dangerous driving have been sent to its online National Dash Cam Safety Portal (NDCSP) since 2018.

Of those, 70% were used as evidence to punish offenders. 

Road users can also submit their footage directly to individual forces, meaning this number is likely to be far greater.

Road Safety Support says with many people sending footage of motoring offences to the police every day, the chances of being reported for an offence captured on a dash cam are now higher than ever.

Steve Callaghan, Road Safety Support’s technical expert, said: “The police can’t be on every road, 24-7, but the public can. With so many dash cams in use, and with the rise in cyclists wearing headcams, there really is a strong likelihood that road users will be filmed at some point on every journey they make.

“In road casualty reduction terms, a dash cam really is a powerful tool, creating a strong deterrence against motoring offences. These days, the chances of being filmed by a dash cam are high, so offences like speeding and using your mobile phone at the wheel really aren’t worth the risk.”


 

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