More and more British drivers are taking on the role of "DIY traffic cops," with a significant rise in dash cam footage being shared with the police, according to new data.
In the video, you can witness instances of dangerous driving that have led to motoring convictions and substantial fines.
UK police have disclosed that they received over 72,000 public submissions of dashcam footage last year, marking a whopping 77% increase from 2021.
Approximately 70% of these submissions result in police action, varying from warning notices to penalties, prosecutions, fines, and potentially even imprisonment.
Andrew Davies, from dash cam experts iCompario, said: “Dash cams are vital to improving road safety. They can prevent false claims, lower insurance and as our findings show, ensure those driving dangerously are held accountable.
“The data highlights how successful Operation Snap has been across England and Wales police forces with the strong upward trend of dash cam submissions to authorities.
“The public are now an extra eye on the roads, and this should be a warning for all motorists that they could be caught on the dash cam footage of 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.”
These are the most common illegal driving activities captured by dash cams:
- Using a phone while driving - 45% (minimum 6 points and £200 fine
- Speeding - 40% (minimum 3 points and £100 fine)
- Running a red light - 30% (minimum 3 points and £100 fine)
- Middle lane hogging - 29% (classed as 'careless driving' minimum 3 points and £100 fine)
- Undertaking - 29% (classed as 'careless driving' minimum 3 points and £100 fine)
Can a dash cam invalidate my car insurance?
As dash cams become more popular, a team of automotive experts has issued a caution to drivers about a 'little-known' error that could void their car insurance.
Graham Conway, Managing Director at Select Van Leasing, advises that if you have a dash cam hard-wired into your vehicle instead of simply plugged into your car’s cigarette lighter socket or USB port, you must inform your insurer.
He said: “It’s frustrating to think that doing something proactive to protect yourself from a claim, or even theft, might come back to bite you, but motorists need to be aware of the legalities concerning dash cams.
“Some of the more expensive dash cams on the market are wired directly to the car’s battery, rather than simply plugging-in to a socket in the vehicle’s cabin.
“Being hard-wired means the dash cam offers added protection and can remain switched on, even when the engine isn’t running so that it continues to record after the owner has vacated the driver’s seat.
“While a plug-in dash cam is considered a simple accessory in the eyes of most insurers, a hard-wired dash cam is deemed to be a ‘modification’ to your vehicle, and you need to notify your insurer that you’ve got one fitted.
“If you don’t, and the worst does ultimately happen, you might not be covered against a claim - even though you could have clear evidence to prove any wrongdoing.”