On 05/01/2019 13:36, MrCheerful wrote:
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.
The driver then proceeded to close pass at speed another group some
distance further down the road which was also recorded on camera.
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?Â* and how would identity be proven?

Of course, the scheme is offered to everyone. All you need is a camera.
Even if you haven't one at hand, the Police is very good at finding a
perpetrator with a knife or sharpened chisel. It doesn't matter if you
got a number on your back, or go by train!