Increase in submissions to police operation

Submissions to Operation Snap were up 151% compared to 2021

An operation by Devon and Cornwall Police which asks for member's of the public to upload video footage of poor driving has seen a record number of submissions.

In 2022, 3,400 motorists across the two counties had action taken against them as a result of the footage sent to Operation Snap, an increase of 135%, with videos including dangerous manoeuvres, lethal overtakes and jumping red lights to name a few.

In the latest round of video clips to be released by the Vision Zero Road Safety Partnership, the road safety project aiming to stop all fatal and serious collisions on Devon and Cornwall's roads by 2040, there are two examples of insecure loads on major routes.

In one clip, a driver of a tractor towing a large trailer is unaware of a large loose tyre attached to the rear of his trailer by a strap. Eventually, the strap breaks and leaves the tyre in the middle of the carriageway.

In another clip, wooden planks as well as the building items can be seen flying off the rear of a pick up truck on a three-lane section of the A38, as a result of not being secured safely.

Adrian Leisk, Devon and Cornwall Police’s Head of Road Safety, said: “Both of these incidents could have been far worse and resulted in death or serious injury.
“It is vital that drivers towing or carrying any sort of load ensure that it is secured safely within their vehicle or trailer, and cannot move.

“These videos also feature other lethal examples of driving on our roads, including dangerous overtaking, jumping red lights and generally not showing regard or respect to other road users – including those who are most vulnerable such as cyclists.

“As these latest figures for 2022 show, we are seeing more and more submissions to Op Snap which are resulting in more notices of intended prosecution. We are incredibly grateful for the support of communities in reducing road harm.

“Dashcam, mobile phone and body camera ownership is on the increase and I want to make it very clear that if you drive dangerously in Devon and Cornwall, there is a very good chance someone will have captured it on camera and will submit that footage to the police. 

“This will lead to you being fined, receiving penalty points or potentially even losing your license - it’s just not worth the risk.”

According to the Department for Transport, 47 people were killed and 647 people were seriously injured on Devon and Cornwall's roads in 2021.

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and is the chairman of Vision Zero South West. She said: “When dealing with figures like these it’s important to remember that every single one represents a person who has suffered dramatically as a result of a collision on our roads.

“Whether it’s someone who dies, sustains a brain injury, loses a limb or suffers from the harrowing mental effects of a road traffic collision, the effect this incident has on them – as well as their friends and family - cannot be underestimated.

“The whole purpose of Vision Zero South West is to cut road traffic deaths to zero.  All our partners will admit this is an extremely ambitious target but one which needs to be at the forefront of all of our minds.”