Old Buckenham was the venue for the first public presentation of a new online service launched by the police to tackle dangerous and careless driving on Norfolk’s roads. Members of the public can now upload footage of motoring offences captured by dash cameras via the Norfolk Police website.
PC Christopher Wright, from the Roads Policing and Firearms Operations Unit, attended an event in the Village Hall organised by Old Buckenham Parish Council to explain how the scheme works and what people can do to help police tackle incidents of dangerous driving.
PC Wright explained that dash cam footage has already proved invaluable in many investigations into serious collisions but can also be used as evidence in cases of ‘anti-social’ driving. That could be reckless overtaking or tailgating – where vehicles are being driven dangerously close to the vehicle in front.
The new online form, on the Norfolk Constabulary website, aims to make it easier for members of the public with footage of traffic offences to send it to police so the matters can be dealt with.
Anyone with footage, who is willing to provide a statement, can complete an online form which asks for personal details and information about the incident they are reporting. The form is then sent to the Roads Policing and Firearms Operations Unit and further instructions are then provided on how to upload footage. The case is examined by an officer who will make a decision on what action, if any, is appropriate. This could be a prosecution, fixed penalty notice or warning letter.
Another benefit of fitting dash cams is that they provide what insurance companies describe as the ‘24/7 silent witness’. Footage can prove who was at fault in an accident and help crackdown on insurance fraud.
PC Wright emphasised the campaign is not about the public doing the police’s job for them. He said “In recent years the number of dash cam submissions about dangerous and anti-social driving has increased and this new online service is about making that process easier. Last year there were 64 fatal road collisions in Norfolk and Suffolk and nearly 600 that led to serious injuries. Anything we can do to reduce this number is worthwhile. The dash cam scheme is another way of educating motorists and hopefully will promote careful and competent driving.”
PC Wright explained that dash cam footage has already proved invaluable in many investigations into serious collisions but can also be used as evidence in cases of ‘anti-social’ driving. That could be reckless overtaking or tailgating – where vehicles are being driven dangerously close to the vehicle in front.
The new online form, on the Norfolk Constabulary website, aims to make it easier for members of the public with footage of traffic offences to send it to police so the matters can be dealt with.
Anyone with footage, who is willing to provide a statement, can complete an online form which asks for personal details and information about the incident they are reporting. The form is then sent to the Roads Policing and Firearms Operations Unit and further instructions are then provided on how to upload footage. The case is examined by an officer who will make a decision on what action, if any, is appropriate. This could be a prosecution, fixed penalty notice or warning letter.
Another benefit of fitting dash cams is that they provide what insurance companies describe as the ‘24/7 silent witness’. Footage can prove who was at fault in an accident and help crackdown on insurance fraud.
PC Wright emphasised the campaign is not about the public doing the police’s job for them. He said “In recent years the number of dash cam submissions about dangerous and anti-social driving has increased and this new online service is about making that process easier. Last year there were 64 fatal road collisions in Norfolk and Suffolk and nearly 600 that led to serious injuries. Anything we can do to reduce this number is worthwhile. The dash cam scheme is another way of educating motorists and hopefully will promote careful and competent driving.”
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