Police backtracking over a dangerous driving reporting system will only give dodgy drivers the “thumbs up”.
That is according to Dundee University academic and cyclist Dr David Martin.
He said the current system for road users to report near misses on the road “isn’t fit for the 21st Century”.
Funding for the dashcam safety portal was announced in April 22.
A coalition of 33 groups, including Cycling UK, believed they had won their campaign to get Police Scotland to introduce the portal.
The new system promised to make it easier to upload dashcam footage as evidence to support complaints.
But leaders at pressure group Cycling UK in Scotland have now said the dashcam safety portal is at risk of “being scrapped” as Police Scotland work to balance budgets.
Giving bad Dundee drivers ‘the thumbs up’
David has reported at least two serious incidents on the road, trying to use dashcam footage as evidence.
Some cyclists wear cameras in an attempt to protect their safety on the road.
“It’s a drawn out process, getting them (the police) the evidence,” he says.
“It’s very difficult and then they don’t get back to you.”
He said one incident saw an uninsured driver cut him up at a junction on Tullideph Rd, almost causing a serious accident.
When the police did finally respond to him, they found the driver at fault was both uninsured and did not have a valid MOT for his vehicle.
In another recent incident in Dundee, a driver passed David “pretty much brushing my arm as he (went) past.”
“Getting the evidence to them (the police) was quite a palaver. These things should be straightforward.
“The system they are using isn’t fit for the 21st Century. By not introducing it quickly, they are giving bad drivers the thumbs up.”
Dashcam safety portal petition aims to force Police Scotland’s hand
David is the vice-chair of the Dundee Cycling Forum.
He is urging concerned members of the public to sign Cycling UK in Scotland’s petition encouraging police to introduce the dashcam system.
Dangerous driving is a problem across Scotland.
Craigie-Lee Paterson is chair of the ByCycle Perth cycling group.
She said the group’s members “will be most disappointed” with reports police may pause or scrap the scheme.
She said: “We hope that Police Scotland will continue to develop the dashcam safety portal which would make cycling safer and encourage greater participation.”
Chief Superintendent Louise Blakelock is head of road policing.
She said: “We are always looking at ways to enhance our ability to investigate road traffic offences.
“We can currently receive digital submissions from the public. But are considering more efficient ways to do this, such as the online dashcam safety portal.
“When our budget position is finalised the service will assess all ongoing transformation work and prioritise it accordingly.”
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