The cyclist helping to catch hundreds of bad drivers

A cyclist has helped police catch hundreds of bad drivers – by sending officers countless video clips recorded on cameras on his bike.

The action by Tim, a cycling instructor from Birmingham, has resulted in scores of motorists receiving notices of intended prosecution from West Midlands Police.

“I came back from one bike ride and said ‘I’ve had enough, there’s something we have got to do about this’,” he told the BBC.

Police forces in England and Wales have revealed the public is sending them 150,000 clips every year, with an estimated 90% resulting in drivers being sanctioned.

The increase in the amount of footage filmed on helmet cameras, dashcams and mobile phones is leading to more prosecutions for dangerous driving.

Tim said he had been sending footage to West Midlands Police for about three years, which has led to the force setting up a portal so more members of the public can submit their videos.

He said at one point, he would only experience a couple of close-passes by car in a year, but this has increased to two or three per journey.

“As a cyclist, you’re always having to move out of the way and when a vehicle’s too close it can strike you,” he said.

“I’ve been hit several times – cars have actually hit me. When I was younger, I broke my leg and went to hospital.”

As a reflection of the growing problem, in 2017 West Midlands Police were sent 208 clips – this year they have already received more than 11,000.

Tim said all his videos had resulted in police action.

“Most often the penalty is an education course,” he said.

“I think that’s the most appropriate thing. Everyone has a chance to make a mistake and to learn.

“But, for a second offence it would be a fixed penalty notice, points on your licence and a fine.”

Around 90% of videos sent to West Midlands Police’s traffic investigations unit result in sanctions against drivers.

The force’s Operation Snap encourages people to send in footage of drivers or motorcyclists using a mobile phone, not wearing a seatbelt, failing to stop at a red light and crossing white lines.

“I think people are getting more aware of the poor standards of driving in the West Midlands area and people know now there’s a place they can report it to and the police will take action,” said Sgt Stephen Evans.

The worst example of driving he had seen was when a driver did a U-turn on the A38 while coming off Spaghetti Junction, with around four lanes of traffic on either side.

It was captured on a dashcam and the driver was fined £900.

Tim said he believed the “message was getting out” and he was seeing improvements on the road.

He also posts videos on social media as a cycling campaigner.

“Inevitably a whole gang of people will start explaining why you’re wrong even though the law is clear on this matter,” he said.

Despite often receiving obscenities on his posts, he insists there is not a war between motorists and cyclists.

“Most drivers just want to get home safely,” he said.

“It’s a small minority of drivers we’re talking about here. They treat cyclists like that – and they treat other drivers like that.”