Twenty-one UK police forces have signed up to a newly launched National Dashcam Safety Portal, which makes it easier for motorists to relay videos of dangerous driving that they have witnessed.
To report an incident, the driver uploads a clip to a secure platform and completes an online witness statement. The portal software then automatically generates documentation to police standards for further investigation.
Developed by in-car entertainment and dashcam manufacturer Nextbase, the GPS-enabled system, available free of charge to drivers and police forces, delivers results that are accessible only to the latter, using government-backed Egress Switch hosting.
An app available with recent models allows drivers to connect their dashcams, via an inbuilt Wi-Fi connection, to their smartphones or tablets for viewing. A locking device in the camera identifies relevant footage.
One user, Superintendent Paul Moxley of West Mercia Police, said: 'While the benefits to motorists are clear, the convenience also extends to police forces. A process which previously took hours can now be reduced to a matter of minutes'.
A Nextbase spokesperson told Highways: 'Not being faced with restraints of funding approvals or IT resources, the company has developed the portal for purely altruistic reasons, aiming to improve road safety of our roads and ultimately save lives'.
