Dashcam scheme sees surge in bad drivers convicted

A road safety scheme where drivers report other motorists' bad driving by submitting dashcam footage has proved "incredibly effective", a police and crime commissioner (PCC) has said.

Last year, Operation Snap received more than 16,200 video clips of careless, dangerous or reckless driving, which had a "remarkable" success rate for prosecution of nearly 85%.

Those who were found guilty faced instant bans, warning letters, fines, penalty points, and court appearances in the most serious cases.

West Midlands PCC Simon Foster is now investing £165,000 to expand the scheme, and people have been urged to keep submitting footage.

Mr Foster said: "Preventing and tackling crime and anti-social behaviour and reducing the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads is a top priority.

"Operation Snap is proving to be an incredibly effective tool in holding careless, dangerous and reckless drivers to account."

He said the funding was to send "a clear message" that careless, reckless and dangerous driving will not be tolerated across the West Midlands police area, covering Birmingham, the Black Country, Coventry and Wolverhampton.

Ch Supt Andrew Parsons, who leads the Operation Snap team, said the funding would "significantly increase our capacity to review and process the footage submitted by the public".

Funds will see the force expand the team's officers and resources to increase the efficiency of processing footage, enhance the quality of investigations and carry out increased enforcement.

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