Camera justice: Get paid for filming law-breaking drivers in the act

March 22, 2022

new york lorry|driver on phone

Now that every man, woman and child seems to have their own smartphone, why don't we help prosecute dangerous drivers by paying a bounty to those who catch them in the act?

After all, our police is overstretched and crimes such as driving while using a mobile phone have become endemic. The law on mobile phone offences is being tightened this week to close loopholes, but detection of the crime remains a challenge.

If we paid a bounty to anyone who provided phone footage of a driver using a phone illegally it's hard to imagine it not having a positive effect on offending rates. It's a model that's already seeing results in America.

New York pays bounty to those filming law-breaking drivers in the act

In a bid to reduce dangerous pollution, New York has a Citizens Air Complaint Program that pays people to report lorries that are parked and idling for more than three minutes, or one minute if outside a school.

Those who successfully report a lorry in this way receive 25 per cent of any fine - typically $87, which works out at about £66. The city received more than 12,000 submissions last year, with one man claiming to have netted over $64,000 in rewards.

Cleaner and safer roads benefit everyone, however they travel. Are you for or against the idea of paying a bounty to those who report law-breaking motorists?

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.


The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK's most ethical provider.


{{cta-cycling}}

Information correct at time of publication.

Leave us a comment

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Comments
--
Name
2 days ago

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra.

Reply
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Name
2 days ago

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra.

Reply
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Cycle Insurance Quick Quote
Start now
ETA logo
E-bike Insurance Quick Quote
Start now
ETA logo
European Breakdown Cover
Start now
ETA logo
Mobility Scooter Quick Quote
Start now
ETA logo