On 05/01/2019 12:53, colwyn wrote:
Welsh Police ‘Operation SNAP’
The Police Service in Wales now has a scheme for accepting cam evidence
of traffic misconduct, and in some circumstances this can proceed to
prosecution.

An interesting case appeared at Llandudno Magistrates Court on Thursday
3rd January 2019. This involved a gentleman defendant named Arthur
Francis Waller, described as a businessman. The trial related to an
incident on the B5109 Conwy to Betws y Coed road.Â* This is a popular
route for cyclists riding along the Conwy Valley as an alternative to
the busy A470 trunk road.

At approximately 09.40 hrs on Saturday 23rd June 2018, members of a
local cycling club were riding in a southerly direction, a weekly social
activity involving seasoned veteran riders and newcomers alike. On the
day they had split into small groups separated by some distance.Â*Â* Two
cyclists who had set out late recorded on camera a close pass by a newly
registered BMW car in the Village of Dolgarrog.Â* The driver then
proceeded to close pass at speed another group some distance further
down the road which was also recorded on camera.Â* When the club gathered
at their usual coffee stop it became apparent the same driver had caused
alarm in both incidents.

For each event, two independent statements were subsequently lodged via
the Operation Snap Website, along with the uploaded video evidence.Â*Â* In
relation to the first incident the registered keeper of the car was
issued with a police caution letter.Â* In respect of the second incident
the registered keeper of the car received a Notice of Prosecution.Â* The
driver was subsequently summoned to attend the Mold Magistrates Court
where he indicated his intention to plead not guilty to a charge of
Driving Without Due Care and Attention.Â* The case was adjourned for
trial at Llandudno Magistrates Court on Thursday 3rd January 2019.

On the due date, appearing at Llandudno, the unrepresented defendant
subsequently changed his plea to Guilty.Â* After viewing the video in
open court the Justices proceeded to sentence the defendant driver as
follows:



Fine £215

Victim Surcharge £30

Crown Prosecution Costs £310

Total £555

Three Penalty Points were awarded.

The defendant apologised to all concerned.



IMPORTANT :-

The ‘Operation Snap’ Website now covers the whole of Wales.

Video evidence of alleged inappropriate conduct can be uploaded to this
site.Â*Â* DO NOT DELAY.Â*Â* In normal circumstances the Police must contact
the registered keeper within 2 weeks for a prosecution to be possible.

Remember, the Operation Snap site can only be used if you have adequate
video evidence of hazardous use of the highway.Â*Â* Road Traffic
Collisions (i.e. you are knocked of your bike) are specifically
excluded.Â* In such instances you need to report to the police directly
via 101 or 999 in an emergency.

CyclingNorthWales says:-
Within the cycling community some satisfaction is being expressed with
the performance of Operation Snap as currently being developed by North
Wales Police. Several cases have been reported to us of successful
outcomes of drivers being held to account for careless or abusive conduct.

Cyclists in general do not wish drivers who have thoughtlessly driven
within a cyclists’s comfort zone to be penalised excessively, However
they do believe drivers awareness of the danger they can create through
inattention or deliberately malicious behaviour should be highlighted,
either by caution notices, driving awareness courses, or, as in this
case, prosecution.

Those riders who performed an invaluable public service by acting upon
the video footage in their possession deserve commendation.Â* It is only
by bringing to publlc attention the misuse of our roads that standards
can be raised.Â* For that to be achieved, all road users bear some
responsibility.

For reasons that should be clear to any reasonable person, the most
vulnerable traveller, the cyclist, seeks harmony and respect on the
road, not conflict.

Is there a similar system to enable truly vulnerable pedestrians to
record dangerous actions by cyclists? and how would identity be proven?