Submitting dashcam footage of dangerous driving

Yes, you can submit dashcam footage to the police if you have witnessed dangerous or careless driving by another driver. Most police forces in England and Wales actively encourage members of the public to do so, and many have set up dedicated online portals specifically for this purpose.

How to submit:

Most police forces now have an online portal or reporting tool where you can upload video footage directly. These are sometimes called "Operation Snap" or similar names, though each force may brand it differently. You typically need to report to the police force in whose area the incident occurred, not necessarily your local force.

You will usually be asked to provide the following:

1. The video footage itself, usually within a specified file size and format.
2. The date, time, and location of the incident.
3. The registration number of the other vehicle if visible.
4. A written account of what happened.
5. Your own details, as you may be required to act as a witness.

Important points to be aware of:

You should submit the footage as soon as reasonably possible. Many forces ask that you report within a certain timeframe, and in any event the police generally need to issue a Notice of Intended Prosecution to the other driver within 14 days of the offence under section 1 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988. So prompt reporting is important.

You should provide unedited footage. Police forces typically want the original, unedited clip including a reasonable period before and after the incident so they can see the full context. Edited or selectively clipped footage may be viewed with suspicion or may not be accepted.

By submitting footage, you are in effect making yourself a potential prosecution witness. This means you may be asked to provide a formal witness statement and, in some cases, to attend court to give evidence. If you are not willing to do this, the police may not be able to proceed.

The police will assess the footage and decide whether it meets the threshold for any offence, which could range from careless driving under section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, to dangerous driving under section 2, or other offences such as using a mobile phone. Not every submission will result in prosecution. The police and CPS have discretion in deciding whether to take action.

What the footage might lead to:

Depending on the severity of the driving, the outcome could range from a warning letter sent to the registered keeper, to a driver awareness course offer, a fixed penalty notice, or a summons to court for more serious offences.

Practical tips:

Make sure your dashcam's date and time settings are accurate, as this strengthens the evidential value of the footage. Keep the original file stored safely in case it is needed later. If the incident also involved a collision or injury, you should report it to the police by other means as well, including by calling 101 or 999 if there is an immediate danger or serious injury.

If you go to your local police force's website and search for dashcam submission or operation snap, you should find the relevant portal and instructions.