RESIDENTS are being ordered to spy on their neighbours and dob out drivers who flout a council’s new road rules.
Devon County Council say those who ignore the rules of a new low-traffic neighbourhood scheme can either be caught by the police or members of the public who submit footage.
devon liveNew blockages in Heavitree where a low-traffic neighbourhood scheme is in place[/caption]
They say no cameras are in operation in the areas of Heavitree and Whipton.
The trial scheme – introduced on August 3 – has seen the installation of four ‘physical modal filters’.
These bollards are in place to prevent access by all vehicles.
Meanwhile four bus gates have been introduced that can only be used by buses, emergency vehicles and certain other exempt classes of vehicle.
A Devon County Council spokesperson said: “There are no cameras at the bus gates but flouting the traffic restrictions is enforceable by Devon and Cornwall Police.
“Members of the public can submit video evidence of violations of these and other traffic regulations via Operation Snap.
“Devon County Council will be continuously monitoring compliance with the bus gates during the trial.”
Operation Snap is a Devon and Cornwall Police initiative where members of the public can report and submit digital footage showing potential traffic offences via a secure online form.
Anyone who submits footage to Operation Snap must be able to provide the registration number of the offending vehicle, and be prepared to sign a witness statement, with a possibility they will need to give evidence in court.
On the police’s website under the heading of what happens when they are sent footage and images, it states: “It will be reviewed by one of our road traffic police officers to see if the footage is of a good enough quality and if an offence is shown.
“If the clip is of a good enough quality and an offence is clearly shown then we will consider issuing an advisory letter to the owner of the offending vehicle, inviting them to an educational course, issuing a fixed penalty notice or, where appropriate, seeking a prosecution.
“If the footage shows a more serious offence, or we have evidence of someone committing repeat offences, then we will consider inviting them to an educational course, issuing a fixed penalty notice or, where appropriate, seeking a prosecution.
“If the video is not of good enough quality or no offence is identified, then there will be no further action taken. All submissions are dealt with pro-actively to help reduce risk-taking and poor driving on our counties’ roads.
“Any footage submitted through the portal can be used by us to help educate other road users and to advise on case results.”