Video cameras catch more rogue drivers

Rogue drivers are being warned that other motorists are increasingly likely to be catching them on camera.

Newfiguresshowthatnationally, more than 32,000 dashcam video recordings of alleged motoring offences were submitted to police forces in just 12 months.

Data obtained by the RAC found that 32,370 pieces of footage were received by the 24 forces from members of the public in 2019 – more than doublethe15,159during the previous year.

Police forces are making it easy for people to submit footage of rule-breakers – and 25% of the submissions resulted in prosecutions.

RAC road safety spokesman Simon Williams said: "Even before the decline in the number of roads police enforcing traffic offences, law-abiding drivers were often frustrated that there was never an officer there to deal withinfringementstheywitnessed.

"The advent of dashcams, phones with cameras and helmet cameras have been a game changer as drivers can now easily submit footage to almost every police force." He added: "As so many drivers and cyclists are now using dashcams and helmet cameras every road user needs to be very conscious that any oftheiractionsthat aren't in accordance with the law could end up with the police.”

All of the country's 44 police forces now accept dashcamandheadcameravideos, with most allowing this to be done online.

Footage covers alleged offences such as dangerous driving, passing too close to cyclists, contravening red traffic lights and the illegal use of a handheld mobile phone.