Debate with a friend over Dash Cam evidence...

[wack]

LordHaveMurci said:

My point was that even on my short commute which takes in a m-way roundabout I see several red light jumpers on a daily basis, several of which go through seconds after the lights have changed. A bloke in an Audi A6 even jumped the light despite a Police car being in sight, whether he saw it or not is another question I guess.

So yes, I would spend a lot of time should I choose to report the little fkers.

One of the problems is the massive increase in traffic lights, what was wrong with roundabouts , I really am sick to death of 5 stops to get round a big roundabout at 2 in the afternoon when there's 10 cars in sight , I really wish we could be left to fend for ourselves outside of rush hour , they're fking everywhere

I don't jump lights BTW , I'm just really pissed off with them

[silver1011]

Trabi601 said:

Yup, probably the same conversation was had in East Germany in the 50s and 60s, too.

Nope, probably not. Seriously, it's a camera, recording a public place. This isn't the Stasi in operation.

Reading into your username I'm going to take a wild stab in the dark and assume you have a thing for the Trabant, which may explain your unsubstantiated fears.

[Trabi601]

silver1011 said:

Trabi601 said:

Yup, probably the same conversation was had in East Germany in the 50s and 60s, too.

Nope, probably not. Seriously, it's a camera, recording a public place. This isn't the Stasi in operation.

Reading into your username I'm going to take a wild stab in the dark and assume you have a thing for the Trabant, which may explain your unsubstantiated fears.

The Stasi were so successful because they made informing on your neighbours a 'good thing'. You were made to feel like you were doing your public duty by doing so. Which draws many parallels with those in favour of handing in dash-cam footage. They feel important, like they're making a contribution. That's exactly what the authorities want people to feel! - if they can gather evidence voluntarily, they have true control.

And you're right - I have a Trabi - and I have an interest in Eastern Bloc history, which is why I'm incredibly wary of the proliferation of privately held cameras, but more concerned about the willingness to take trivial recordings to the police.

The Stasi could only dream of a country where citizens voluntarily filmed and informed on each other!

[silver1011]

I don't doubt the successfulness of the Stassi.

Where we differ is their similarities to our use of CCTV and people using dash cam footage to report dangerous driving.

Slowing down from 60mph to 30mph earlier in the week the guy behind me overtook and continued through the village at 60mph. There was a mum and her young daughter cycling along the footpath.

He didn't crash nor did he kill anyone. This time.

Had the Police popped round to his house later that night and had a quick word in his ear about the manor of his driving based on a complaint from a member of the public, would I object to that? No, I wouldn't.

[Por-sche]

ZX10R NIN said:

Why would you care if someone's jumped a red light? Would you report them if you'd seen them do rather than caught it on camera? If so would you pull up a cyclist & call the police if they jumped a red light?

If the answer is no then leave people to get on with their lives, if you witness to an accident then it's acceptable but apart from that I see no reason to be reporting anyone.

Sorry chaps I didnt realise my thread had a single reply let alone 4 pages... forgot to click notify...

Dont get me wrong, I wouldnt bother reporting anything like a red light offence... Not got the time to care about that. Might be different if someone nearly got killed etc. Plus I dont and never will have a dash cam.

[Por-sche]

Dear lord look what I have started!

So basically a dash cam vigilante isnt getting too far unless its a fairly serious offence that the Police want to pursue.

[jimreed]

ArnieVXR said:

ZX10R NIN said:

As I said at the start if you witness an accident then report away if nothing happens then get on with your life.

I'm guessing you don't mean that the guy in the white Range Rover Sport who smashed into that car paralysing the two girls and has been found guilty using dash-cam evidence would have been okay if he'd have just missed them and nothing happened?

I think you're right: If it's trivial then just let it go because nobody cares. The Police won't be interested in minor technical infringements. People driving like utter nutcases, driving dangerously without due-care and attention, intimidating other road uses or all of the above...well maybe that's another thing.

It was a land rover discovery, not a range rover.
It doesn't speak well for your powers of observation if you failed to note that.

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Don't drive like a dick and you won't get reported.