Case Study : Operation Snap continued ...
Website and social media
The law can be confusing , so third party reporting projects could usefully make clear in their external communications work that ( as police officers will look at the full range of possible charges ) there ’ s no need to try to second guess the specific offence you have detected . A message about the dangers of distraction generally would be useful for sending a message about drivers not being ‘ safe ’ from prosecution just because they are not holding , or can ’ t be seen holding , a phone .
One piece of communication that would make the work of Operation Snap , and other projects , much easier , would be to provide information regarding what makes for a ‘ good ’ ( i . e . usable ) submission . Submitters , whether pedestrians with phones , or drivers with mounted dash cams , are likely to benefit from tips on length , clarity of images , angle of recording etc . that will make it more likely that their efforts in submitting , and police efforts in processing , the footage , will be rewarded . This should mean less work for officers downstream if people look here for advice beforehand , or before making a submission , and generate more positive outcomes to report .
It is also important that the project is seen as neutral in your support for all safe road users . This means ensuring that messages ( however communicated ) include the good and bad road user behaviour of all modes . Messages that seem to imply some groups ( horse riders , cyclists , van drivers …) are better or worse than others will soon get picked up ( especially via social media ) and may alienate particular individuals .
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