Dash cams are becoming increasingly popular as they help to capture a growing number of incidents on our roads.
Most footage is never used. However, some recordings capture dangerous driving that should be reported to the police – whether the driver is directly involved or simply a witness.
A dash cam can help give you an extra set of eyes on the road. While some may not fancy buying another accessory for their cars, the cost of being caught in an insurance claim where liability can’t be determined without video evidence can come at a much bigger price in the long-run.
To make reporting easier, Nextbase created a universal system for submitting video footage directly to police forces.
What is the National Dash Cam Safety Portal?
The National Dash Cam Safety Portal (NDSP) is an online platform designed to improve road safety.
It allows road users to:
- Submit video footage of dangerous driving.
- Upload recordings from dash cams, mobile phones, or other devices.
- Send evidence directly to the relevant police force.
The goal is to make reporting serious road incidents faster, simpler, and more effective.
The portal was developed in response to increasing public submissions of video evidence and aims to reduce accidents and improve safety on UK roads.
Key benefits of the portal
1. Simple and centralised reporting
- One system for submitting footage to police.
- No need to contact individual forces manually.
- Quick and easy upload process.
2. Faster processing times
- Reduces police processing time significantly.
3. Focus on serious offences
- Reports typically involve incidents serious enough for potential court action.
- Helps avoid wasting police time on minor issues.
4. Supports safer roads
- Encourages accountability for dangerous driving.
- Aims to prevent accidents before they happen.
5. Police retain full control
- Police decide whether to take action.
- Possible outcomes include warnings, fines, courses, or prosecution.
How the portal works
- Firstly, you’ll need to upload video or photo evidence of an incident.
- Then provide a supporting statement to contextualise the evidence.
- Be sure to submit to the police force information about where the incident occured.
- Finally, the police will review the footage and determine the next steps.
When submitting your evidence to the National Dash Cam Safety Portal, it’s worth noting that:
- The footage that you submit must clearly show the incident.
- You may need to provide a statement or attend court (rare cases)
- Evidence is stored securely and only accessible to the police
Do you need a dash cam?
A dash cam acts as an extra set of eyes on the road. The key benefits of a dash cam include that they:
- Provie independent evidence in incidents.
- Help resolve insurance disputes.
- May reduce insurance costs.
- Encourage safer driving behaviour.
- Can record incidents even when parked (with some models).
According to a 2017 YouGov study, 32% of drivers feel safer on the roads when they have a car dash cam, with 29% admitting to buying one to keep insurance costs down. Further research also revealed that 17% of drivers who own a dash cam would consciously drive more carefully.
Here at Halfords, we stock a wide range of dash cams to suit all budgets and needs. We even have a handy guide to help make picking your perfect one a piece of cake!
