Road user video evidence of road traffic offences: Preliminary analysis of Operation Snap data and suggestions for a research agenda

This study uses data from Operation Snap (OpSnap), the UK police’s national system to receive road users’ video evidence of road traffic offences. Data from one police force area for 39 months (January 2021 to March 2024) (N = 20,364 records) is analysed. Half were submitted by vehicle drivers (49.8%), a third by cyclists (34.7%), 7.2% bypedestrians, over 2% by horse riders and, 3% from other sources. We estimate that, relative to road distance travelled, cyclists were 20 times more likely to submit video evidence than vehicle drivers. The most common offences overall were driving ‘without reasonable consideration to others’ or ‘without due care and attention’. Half (53.4%) of reports resulted in the recommended disposal of an educational course, 31% in no further action, 12.7% in conditional offers, over 2% in a court appearance, and 1% undergoing further investigation. A research agenda using OpSnap data is outlined: a national dataset should be compiled, and comparative analysis of offence type, source, locations, and case disposal undertaken at national, regional, and local levels; research into disposal-related decision-making, video quality, and the role of supporting evidence should identify good practice; further study of video content, offence concentration (recidivism, repeat submitters of evidence, spatial hotspots) and case progression including court cases should ve undertaken. We conclude that more extensive analysis of OpSnap data holds significant potential to inform policy and practice locally, nationally and internationally.