Operation SNAP offers members of the public the opportunity to submit footage of dangerous or careless driving they may have recorded on their dashcams or mobile phones to the Police. Every submission is evaluated and investigated by our dedicated Enquiry Officers and appropriate actions taken against any offences recorded.
On the 28th June, 2019 a motorists recorded footage of a motorcyclist travelling dangerously along a road in the county of Powys in the Dyfed-Powys Police force area.
The motorcyclist was initially sent a NIP (Notice of Intended Prosecution) for Dangerous Driving and Dyfed-Powys asked Steve Callaghan, Road Safety Support’s Technical Manager to assess the speed. He provided expert and used a range of technical calculations to prove beyond doubt that the motorcycle was travelling at 82mph on a 40mph limit road.
The motorcyclist travelling at this speed not only overtook, but contravened a keep left bollard and passed a school entrance mid-week and a car sales forecourt; putting vulnerable pedestrians at risk.
It was also concerning to note that the rider was wearing trainers and T Shirt; a disaster waiting to happen given the known injuries a collision or fall off a motorcycle without protective gear can cause.
He was summonsed to court and pleaded Guilty to Careless Driving, resulting in 6 points and over £400 in fines.
Speaking after the case, Mr Callaghan said:
“This motorcyclist obviously believed that, as he couldn’t see a police officer or a speed camera, it was acceptable to ride at such a reckless speed. But this just demonstrates the effectiveness of Operation Snap. Many vehicles have dashcam recording devices fitted these days, which can easily be submitted to the police, so speeding or dangerous driving is just not worth the risk.
We have the specialist techniques to analyse video footage and prove the speed that a vehicle was travelling, which can then be used, as in this case, as evidence in court.”
The evidence from Steven Callaghan was critical in securing that conviction in January 2020 and emphasises the importance of using various skills and tactics to improve our evidence in proving cases of both careless and dangerous driving/riding.
Sergeant Ian Price, Dyfed-Powys Police GoSafe Coordinator said:
“This is a prime example of how OP SNAP is helping to take positive action against the most dangerous of drivers/riders on our roads.
It also highlights how partnership working is integral in working together in making our roads safer. In this instance 6 penalty points & a conviction for Careless driving will have a profound effect on the riders insurance premiums and hopefully a valuable lesson that will change his attitude towards the risk he presented that day.
In Dyfed Powys we are also highly committed to reducing the number of bikers killed and seriously hurt and providing reassurance to communities that this anti-social style of riding is unacceptable.”
If you have recorded footage or images of dangerous or careless driving and would like to report it to us, you can do so via our Op SNAP form.