These are the offences police can catch you for without you being pulled over or snapped on a traffic camera
A new police unit is set to be launched to review public dash cam footage, meaning dangerous drivers will have more chance of being caught
BRITISH drivers know they will have to pay the penalty if they break road laws in front of police or a speed camera.
But a new scheme will mean motorists can be caught out even if there are no cops or traffic cameras in sight.
Government recently announced a new two-year plan to help combat road rage and improve road safety.
And on the back of the Department for Transport's plans, a new police unit will be set up to analyse footage from dash cams and helmet cams submitted by other road users.
The development will mean motorists can be handed penalty notices for offences caught on camera long after they occurred.
Official reports claim an initial £100,000 will be dedicated to the "national back office function", as footage from the general public is used to assist in the crackdown on dangerous driving offences.
Offences you caught be charged with even if you aren't caught by a traffic camera or pulled over by cops
If police review footage of you committing any of the following offences on another road user's dash cam, you could be charged:
- Dangerous driving
- Careless driving
- Using a mobile phone
- Not wearing a seat belt
- Contravening a red traffic light
- Contravening solid white lines
- Offences where the driver is clearly not in proper control of the vehicle and which could lead to collisions
Under the new scheme, drivers could be charged with a range of offences if police find video evidence of them breaking the law.
The main focus will be on catching those guilty of dangerous and careless driving, both of which can attract unlimited fines and even a disqualification in the most serious cases.
But drivers using their phones behind the wheel, not wearing seat belts and running red lights could also be brought to justice.
Government hopes the project will lead to "an increase in detection rates without significant extra enforcement cost".
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Details on how the public will be able to submit footage are yet to be released, but it's likely the process will follow suit with the recent "Operation Snap", where motorists uploaded dash cam clips online.
Set up by North Wales Police in 2016, "Operation Snap" was designed to give members of the public “the power to assist forces in taking action against those who put other road users at risk”.
A National Dash Cam Safety Portal was also set up earlier this year by camera manufacturer, Nextbase, linking police forces and the public via a single online hub.