Record Number of Cyclists Submitting Videos to Police Amid 'Vigilante' Trend

Strategic Insights -

Cyclists in England and Wales submitted a record number of videos to police in 2022, with over 15,000 clips of close passes by motorists being reported under Operation Snap. The increase is attributed to the growing trend of cyclists using helmet cameras to film and report bad drivers, with the most high-profile example being BBC and Channel 5 presenter Jeremy Vine. Vine had posted daily footage of his commute, but stopped in April after facing online trolling. Despite his decision, the trend continues, with 58% of drivers surveyed by IAM RoadSmart unaware of the recommended 1.5-meter gap when passing cyclists. The number of cyclist fatalities on Britain's roads remains a concern, with 85 recorded deaths in 2022.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 15,000 videos of close passes by motorists were submitted to police in 2022, a record number and more than double the 7,249 reported in 2021.
  • The trend of cyclists using helmet cameras to report bad drivers has been influenced by high-profile examples like Jeremy Vine, who has now stopped posting videos.
  • A survey of 655 drivers found that 58% were unaware of the recommended 1.5-meter gap when passing cyclists.
  • The percentage of reports leading to a notice of intended prosecution being served rose from 38% in 2021 to 54% last year.
  • The most common type of collision involving cyclists is with a car, accounting for most fatalities between 2019 and 2023.
  • Provisional Department for Transport figures show that 85 cyclists were killed on Britain's roads last year.
  • IAM RoadSmart has launched the No More Close Calls campaign to eradicate close passes and has called on the Government to better promote the new Highway Code.
  • A Department for Transport spokesman said that the Government takes road safety seriously and has strict penalties in place for those who put cyclists at risk.

Statistics:

  • 15,000+ videos of close passes by motorists were submitted to police in 2022.
  • 7,249 videos were submitted in 2021, less than half of the record number in 2022.
  • 58% of drivers surveyed by IAM RoadSmart were unaware of the recommended 1.5-meter gap when passing cyclists.
  • 85 cyclists were killed on Britain's roads last year.
  • 54% of reports submitted as part of Operation Snap led to a notice of intended prosecution being served in 2022, up from 38% in 2021.

Sources:

  • Information obtained by the road safety charity IAM RoadSmart.
  • Department for Transport figures.
  • BBC and Channel 5 presenter Jeremy Vine's helmet camera footage.
  • IAM RoadSmart survey of 655 drivers.
  • Provisional Department for Transport figures.
  • IAM RoadSmart's No More Close Calls campaign.