We’ve all spotted incidents of reckless driving and road rage whilst out and about in our cars. But how many of us have actually recorded the evidence and sent it in to the police?

Well according to new analysis from the RAC, based on a Freedom of Information request, the prevalence of dashcam footage leading to prosecutions for motoring offences is on the rise.

The RAC data reveals that there 32,370 pieces of footage sent to police forces in 2019, more than twice the number submitted in 2018, with the crucial footage leading to a total of 8148 prosecutions (25%).

The Freedom of Information request was sent to the 24 police forces that use footage to catch motoring offences, however all 44 British forces now accept dashcam videos via online portals, which suggests that the 2020 figure could be even higher. The footage can be used as vital evidence to prosecute for a wide range of offences, including dangerous driving and illegal use of a handheld mobile phone device.

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 with infringements they witnessed.”

“As so many drivers and cyclists are now using dash cams and helmet cameras every road user needs to be very conscious that any of their actions that aren’t in accordance with the law could end up with the police. Some will inevitably find this out the hard way while others will hopefully become increasingly mindful of it.”

London’s Metropolitan Police received the most video captures in 2019, with a total of 8082 submissions.

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