More than 6,000 videos were submitted to Devon & Cornwall Police via Op Snap throughout 2023, making it the busiest year in the operation’s history.
Op Snap, which was set up in the region in 2019, allows members of the public to submit video evidence of driving offences through an online portal. Footage can be submitted from numerous sources, whether it’s a dashcam, helmet camera, mobile phone or even a video doorbell.
Since 2019, Devon & Cornwall Police has taken action against almost 10,000 motorists through Op Snap – all thanks to vigilant members of the public.
To mark the occasion, road safety partnership Vision Zero South West has released a selection of video clips to highlight the variety of offences which can be dealt with via Op Snap.
The footage features dangerous overtaking manoeuvres, near misses, cars giving insufficient space for cyclists and even a driver using a mobile phone – captured by a passing passenger on their own phone.
Locations range from busy dual carriageways and A-roads, to city centres and narrow rural routes.
Adrian Leisk, Head of Road Safety for Devon & Cornwall Police and chair of Vision Zero South West’s enforcement group, said: “Op Snap continues to grow in Devon & Cornwall with 2023 being our busiest year to date.
“Thanks to the efforts of the public, we have been able to take action against almost 10,000 drivers who may have otherwise escaped prosecution and continued to drive in a dangerous manner. We want drivers to think twice before making that risky decision.
“More people are using dashcams and helmet cameras than ever before – but also more members of the public are now aware of Op Snap and understand that they have the power to do something about poor driving. All of this makes it increasingly likely that dangerous and reckless drivers will be caught on camera and prosecuted.
“While it is clearly worrying that so many instances of dangerous driving are being witnessed on our roads, it’s encouraging that members of the public are coming on board with this campaign and submitting footage of poor driving.
“We are so grateful for the public’s support in addressing a real issue of concern. We have 13,670 miles of road network and cannot be everywhere, but you are.
“Many of the video submissions we see could easily escalate into collisions causing serious and potentially even fatal injuries. As active members of the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership, our collective goal is to halve all serious and fatal injuries by 2030 – and then completely.”
In 2022 – the most recent figures available – 47 people were killed and 741 were seriously injured on Devon and Cornwall’s Roads.
Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, is chairman of the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership.
Commissioner Hernandez said: “When dealing with figures like these it’s important to remember that every single one represents a person who has suffered dramatically as a result of a collision on our roads.
“Whether it’s someone who dies, sustains a brain injury, loses a limb or suffers from the harrowing mental effects of a road traffic collision, the effect this incident has on them – as well as their friends and family – cannot be underestimated.
“The whole purpose of Vision Zero South West is to cut road traffic deaths to zero. All our partners will admit this is an extremely ambitious target but one which needs to be at the forefront of all of our minds.”
For more information about Op Snap visit dc.police.uk/opsnap
