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Report dashcam footage

Report dangerous driving with your dashcam footage

Dashcams act as a sort of in-car surveillance system. If you want to report dangerous driving - or you get into an accident that wasn’t your fault - showing dashcam footage to the police could help your case.

On this page, we'll take you through how to share dashcam footage of an accident or incident in just a few clicks using Operation Snap.

How to report dangerous driving using dashcam footage

If you witness an incident

  • Save your footage: Some dashcams delete footage after a certain time, so clicking ‘save’ is essential. Make sure you’re safely stopped and take note of the time, date and location of the incident.
  • Get down to the details: Head over to Operation Snap or use our online tool to get started. When submitting your report, you’ll need to include all the key info and a brief description of what happened, along with your own contact details.
  • Upload your file: If possible, make sure you provide the original file, without any edits. It’s also a good idea to keep a back-up copy for your own records, just in case.

If you’re in an accident

  • Save a copy: Make sure your dashcam footage doesn't get overwritten. Save a copy as soon as possible and jot down the time, date and location of the accident.
  • Alert your insurer: Even if you don’t plan on making a claim, it’s important you tell your insurer. When you report the accident, make sure you send them the footage, too.
  • Report online: Use our online tool or go through Operation Snap to submit your report. Upload the original file and include the time, date and location where the footage was captured. Your contact info and a brief description of the accident will be needed, too.

Where did the dashcam witness the incident

Please select a country

What is operation snap?

Operation Snap was set up by the police as a way for people to share dashcam footage. It’s essentially an online portal that streamlines the submission process. And you can use it after an accident or incident occurs on the road. 

So, what exactly can you report? Dangerous driving or driving without due care is at the top of the list. But things like ignoring red lights or using a mobile phone behind the wheel can also be reported.

It’s pretty effective, too. Since the platform’s launch, it’s led to 28,000 warnings, 18,000 fixed penalty notices and 5,000 court warnings UK-wide.

In Scotland and Northern Ireland

Scotland and Northern Ireland don’t use Operation Snap. 

In Northern Ireland, after you’ve contacted 101 or 999 and spoken to a police officer - you’ll automatically get an invite to share your digital evidence from this email address: DigitalEvidence@psni.police.uk  

Follow the instructions on this email to submit your footage.
In Scotland, you phone 101 to find out how to submit your footage or 999 if it’s an emergency. 

Whatever you do, don't post the footage on social media. It could affect the investigation, and get you into trouble if people or vehicles are clearly identifiable.

Why report dangerous driving?

So, you’ve witnessed some dodgy driving but don’t know whether to take it further. While it might seem like unnecessary admin, reporting dangerous driving can help you and your fellow drivers out.

By submitting dashcam footage, you could:

  • Make roads safer: Help police pick out repeat offenders and reckless-driving hotspots.
  • Provide vital evidence: The difference between a warning and a conviction? It could be your dashcam footage.
  • Protect your premiums: Safer roads equals fewer accidents, which can help keep car insurance costs stable for everyone.

What happens after I submit my dashcam footage?

First, the police will review your footage and check if an offence has taken place. If the footage you've provided is too blurry or unclear to determine what happened, it's likely no further action will be taken.

If the police do decide to act on the footage, the offender (or offenders) could be issued with a:

  • Warning letter: Or they could be invited to attend some driver education instead.
  • Fixed penalty notice: The most likely outcome if they've been caught using a phone, not wearing a seatbelt, or speeding.
  • Court summons: This tends to be reserved for more serious offences, such as dangerous driving.

Generally, you won't hear any update on what progress the police have made. You might receive an email stating 'case closed' or 'action taken'. But you won't hear a driver's specific penalty, as it's a breach of data protection.

Do dashcams lead to cheaper car insurance?

Having a dashcam doesn’t guarantee cheaper car insurance. But some providers offer a dashcam insurance discount for drivers who have them installed. 

Always check the fine print, though. Your insurer might require you to provide footage if you're involved in an accident. And, if your camera wasn't recording, you could lose your dashcam discount. 

Where you get your dashcam can also make a difference to the price of your premium. For example, some brands offer exclusive rates for users who take out insurance with one of their partner providers. 

Driving with a dashcam can also lead to ‘indirect’ savings. Basically, it can help protect your No Claims Bonus (NCB) by helping you prove an accident wasn’t your fault.

How does dashcam footage help with insurance claims?

Dashcam footage isn’t just handy for the police - it can help you and your insurer too. Here’s how: 

  • Stopping fraudsters: Fake or fraudulent claims cost the UK industry millions each year. Having video footage can help prove if a “crash for cash” scam was staged.
  • Speeding up claims: With dashcam footage, insurers can settle disputes quickly. Less of the “he-said, she-said” and more objective evidence to help your claim.
  • Catching unidentified drivers: Getting hit when parked, or hit-and-runs more generally, can be an insurance nightmare. But having a registration number captured on camera can help insurers track down the guilty party.

Dashcams and insurance: What you need to know 

The main upside of a dashcam is that it makes sorting a claim much quicker. It doesn't rely on "he said, she said", it shows what happened in clear detail. 

In fact, over 2 in 5 (43%) motorists told us that the reason they bought a dashcam was to protect themselves if there was an accident or incident. Some insurers might give you a discount on your car insurance price if you have a dashcam, but it varies depending on the insurer. 

The insurers that do offer a discount usually offer a 5-10% discount. But it doesn't stop other factors like claims history, location or car type affecting your price. 
Dashcams don't just record while you're driving, some record when your car's parked too. The camera activates when it senses movement, and can capture break-ins or bumps for example.

More than 1 in 5 (22%) chose a dashcam because it improved safety and security when there car was parked. 

Remember, if you tell your insurer that you have a dashcam, you'll need to give them the footage when they ask for it. Otherwise it could work against you when it comes to claiming.

Need more help?

Will I have to go to court if I report dashcam footage?

Potentially yes, when you submit dashcam footage you agree to be a potential witness. So if a case goes to court, you might need to give a written statement or appear in person. 

If you decide not to do this, the police might decide to drop the case.

Can I report an incident that happened a while ago?

Submit the footage as soon after the incident as possible. Operation Snap advise within 10-14 days because dashcam memory cards overwrite regularly.

Also, if you're asked to be a witness, your recollection could fade over time. It's also harder for the police to chase up evidence weeks later.

For most motoring offences there's a 6-month time limit for prosecution. More serious offences don't have a time limit - but it's still a good idea to submit footage as soon as you can.

You could still try and submit your footage even if it's older. Just be prepared for a response saying it's too late to submit your footage. 

Can I submit a video I recorded on my phone as a passenger?

Yes you can, Operation Snap accepts footage from phones, Go Pros, helmet cams and CCTV.  

As long as you were the passenger and not the driver at the time of the recording, you can submit the footage. 

It also needs to have a clear view of the offence. The police won't act on the footage if it doesn't capture enough context or is shaky or out of focus.

You'll also need to upload the original, unedited clip if possible. 

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