Gardaí to allow the public upload Dash Cam footage from approx. 2026 via online portal

podgeandrodge

According to the Indo, Gardaí are to allow the public upload Dash Cam footage from approx. 2026 via online portal.

Right now, according to an Asst Garda Commissioner,

"If you have a record of something now, you can still go into your local garda station and we manage that individually. We will look at the video footage, we will ask for a statement and we will still investigate that,” she said.

I didn't know that. But regardless, why do you need to make a statement (presumably with your name) if you give them self explanatory footage. It would deter a lot of people I would imagine?

Then - ""But the portal will allow it to be upscaled and then you'll be able to load it up on to it and the garda will still be in touch with you about making a statement and collecting the evidence, the way you would for any other investigation.”

If you've uploaded footage to a portal, they have the evidence. Why does a garda need to get in touch with you about a statement and to "collect the evidence".

magicbastarder

I don't know why this is in the news this morning; it was announced in September or earlier last year.

And yes, if the gardai decide to take it further, you'll be required to call to the station to make a statement.

Given they can't cope with the number of offences being detected by ANPR as it is, I don't hold out a lot of hope for this being very successful.

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058354370/gardai-to-allow-the-public-upload-dash-cam-footage-from-approx-2026-via-online-portal

To ensure that you are not just an AI video specialist and will be a credible witness if it goes to court.

suvigirl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058354370/gardai-to-allow-the-public-upload-dash-cam-footage-from-approx-2026-via-online-portal

Because you would be the complainant. And will be required to give evidence in court.

prunudo

it always amazes me the lengths that the gardai will facilitate road safety prosecutions but when it comes to showing evidence of people trespassing or stealing from your property, your cctv footage isn't good enough to warrant any follow up enquiries.

highpitcheric

forcing some kind of personal involvement/investment may help deter anonymous malicious false allegations.

someone may print a number plate, stick it on the same model, and do 90 in a 40, have their friend record it. Try to get someone in trouble. Free from consequence themselves.

but if they have to put their name to it, then they risk wasting police time. Or perjury.

Pauliedragon

Can't see many people willing to give go to the station, give a statement and potentially take a day off work to go to court for a traffic offence. It's hard enough getting people to court for violence, theft etc.

chiefwiggum

Delighted. I have on dashcam an absolute clown on a high powered motorcycle on the m50 yesterday.

He undertook 2 cars from the 3rd to 1st lanes and back again and then proceed to ride at over 100kph with no hands while rooting for something is his pockets.

I'd submit the footage even if it was for education for him to save the emergency services picking up pieces of him off the road

Seth Brundle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122215537#Comment_122215537

Video footage on its own is not evidence. It merely accompanies a victim or witness statement which is the evidence.

magicbastarder

You can call into a station or ring trafficwatch already with the footage. The roadblock will still be whether the Garda you deal with reckons it's worth pursuing.

podgeandrodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122215761#Comment_122215761

Are you 100% on that? As in, if there was a crime, and police found some CCTV footage proving who 'did the murder', well that would be the evidence in itself right?

suvigirl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122216686#Comment_122216686

Nope. It still needs evidence.

corminators

You will be going to court if it is contested. The gardai wouldn't want you going to court and saying something different to what their write-up of the video is. Therefore, they will use your statement.

If it was me i'd subpena the contents of your phone/dashcam as well to make sure the video is not edited/ ai generated. Hope you don't have anything in there you don't want anybody to see.

Oh, and we'd need an expert in computational photography in court to explain what your model of iphone/dashcam does in terms of processing.

The guards historically didn't like internet uploads as a chain of custody for evidence, even this year I saw them asking for a usb stick of a video they were already emailed.

Seth Brundle

The guards historically didn't like internet uploads as a chain of custody for evidence, even this year I saw them asking for a usb stick of a video they were already emailed.

In my experience, this is usually down to individual gardai not knowing the procedures.

I've had gardai insist on taking my cameras and SD card rather than accept a DVD or private YouTube or Streamable link. I've quite happily told them to check with their colleagues who previously accepted DVD or Web links and were able to use them successfully.

I've also had my local Super email me telling me that I could send videos to him as email attachments (clearly not understanding video file sizes and email attachment restrictions).

(I reckon it is also a way for some gardai to politely tell you to fupp off as they dont want the hassle of dealing with trivial stuff like dangerous overtaking!)

Donald Trump

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122215761#Comment_122215761

Not quite true in general. For example, CCTV is understood to constitute real evidence. There can be issues with it related to identification evidence but that is slightly different point.

Oscar_Madison

I imagine by the time they implement this initiative there will be many more T&Cs attached to it - there’s undoubtedly people out there with dash cams who will take on the role of “road police” and will be uploading daily no matter how minor the offence- this can only make more work for Gardai without actual prosecutions taking place.
Id say the “crimes” relating to road traffic will be limited to dangerous driving such as undertaking or unsafe over-taking, leaving the scene or an actual accident - it will be interesting to see just how many prosecutions, fines, points etc are issued as a result of this initiative Vs cost of set up and administration. I’ve no doubt there will be prosecutions but how many and will it be worth it?

magicbastarder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122215525#Comment_122215525

i don't think that's the reason. the requirement to turn up in court existed long before AI video manipulation existed.

gardai will often ask complainants whether they'd be willing to turn up in court - while it may be sufficient in some cases, video footage will not always capture all relevant info, and a complainant who is not willing to turn up in court would be seized on by any defence.

worth noting as an aside - years ago, one of the people active on the cycling forum attended a court case because they captured the footage of a cyclist being knocked down by a motorist (motorist at fault).

the judge accepted without questionng, a claim that the motorist had the sun in her eyes, which was nuts for two reasons; one, 'i could not see but proceeded anyway' is an admission of guilt, not innocence; and two, the video clearly showed this was not the case anyway. so i suspect in many cases, the video evidence is merely used as proof that the incident occurred (and in this case, that the complainant was not at fault in any way), rather than it being used to forensically deconstruct what happened.

Donald Trump

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122217757#Comment_122217757

There is probably a deterrence effect expected

Frumy

I completely disagree with this. People incentivized to snitch on each other. Very very very slippery slope. Soon everyone will be recording each other at all times and if there is any financial incentive it will be 24/7 surveillance by your fellow man. No privacy at all and constantly being recorded against your wishes or without your consent? Terrifying.

Reminds me of this really excellent short movie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJYaXy5mmA8

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122217922#Comment_122217922

You could always consider the drastic option of driving legally.

Frumy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122218369#Comment_122218369

Yawn, I do it's why in over 15 years of driving I've never had an accident despite averting many idiots over the years who have done incredibly stupid things on the road and I've had to react very fast to avoid them ie fools overtaking on corners etc.

I can guarantee you 100% this nonsense of drivers recording other drivers will lead to more accidents.

You will have clowns trying to follow others with their dashcams to 'get them' on video not realizing they could be driving incredibly dangerously in the process of doing so. What about the countless people who will be checking on their dashcams to see 'they got it' instead of the road when an incident happens? I've often seen people fidgeting with dashcams while driving too.

So aside from all the accidents it will cause I simply don't want to be recorded by umpteen busy body types who think they are moral arbitrators on the road every time I drive to work. I bet my life the same people who will be obsessive about recording everything on dashcams are terrible and possibly dangerous drivers. I know 2 people use dashcams incessantly. I've never seen worse drivers in life. Nervy/very poor judgement/lack of spacial awareness you name it both of their cars are covered in dings/scrapes and dents. Personally I'd rather not be recorded by crap drivers every time I head out.

Each to their own!

Donald Trump

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122218478#Comment_122218478

And given your record of 15 years without an accident (unprecedented surely?), if you had a dashcam when you met these idiots coming around a corner on the wrong side of the road overtaking another car, would you really not upload it to some system when you got home so that the Guards could at least have a chat with said driver?

You are happy enough to post about them on the internet………………….

Do you have a dashcam and you think that that is actually what caused the other driver to drive the way they did and almost cause an accident?

Frumy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122218525#Comment_122218525

15 years without an an accident how is that unprecented? I thought my post would have made it obvious I don't use a dashcam. Way I see it is it's bad luck to have one. Call it superstitious but like I said each to their own!

'Do you have a dashcam and you think that that is actually what caused the other driver to drive the way they did and almost cause an accident?'

No and I can't comment on others dashcams either.

My point is quite simple. In my experience it's nervy/poor/apprehensive drivers use dashcams and it's my belief they will cause more accidents from idiots using them.

Some people fidget/turn them/and pressing buttons on them etc when really their eyes should be on the road!

You will end up with loads of Hyacinth Bucket types. All useless drivers but thinking they are flawless as they assume being a good driver is all about how many videos you upload and nothing to do with being in control of a mechanical vehicle weighing between 1 and 2 ton

Donald Trump

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122218588#Comment_122218588

Plenty of cars come with built in cameras these days. How will that leave expert drivers such as yourself? Will you have to remove them or will you just be prevented from driving cars in the future?

Below is an example of a dashcam causing an accident.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32KfIFpQJLQ

Even though you don't have a dashcam, you probably have a phone with a camera. I would blame that for the other driver overtaking on the corner and almost crashing into you. It is obviously your fault.

Seth Brundle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122218588#Comment_122218588

That is just nonsense!
I've a dashcam which just sits there and records without my involvement or interaction.
It has potentially saved my hide also when a driver suddenly decided to do an illegal u-turn across my lane causing me to t-bone them. Once I mentioned the word dashcam, there was no discussion about liability with her or her insurance company.

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122218478#Comment_122218478

They're crashes, not accidents.

https://www.portland.gov/transportation/vision-zero/news/2023/3/23/why-we-say-crash-not-accident

Any 'clowns' who drive dangerously when chasing others will quickly find themselves convicted by their own video evidence. There is no coorelation between dangerous driving and dashcam use, particularly as more and more vehicles have dashcams as standard now.

I regularly report drivers for using their phones while driving, when I get clear video on my helmetcam. It's often a frustrating process, with different 'rules' from different garda districts/stations about the video footage. But it does get some results, with a bunch of fines and penalty points being issued

Frumy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122218614#Comment_122218614

Fair enough you are perhaps one of the responsible ones I didn't say everyone is like this!

However there is SOME nervy drivers seem to think a dashcam offers them a 'sense of security' so to speak.

Perhaps not you but will there be people fidgeting with dashcams when this comes in so to speak.

Frumy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122218641#Comment_122218641

'There is no correlation between dangerous driving and dashcam use' - Never said there was.

'I regularly report drivers for using their phones while driving, when I get clear video on my helmetcam. It's often a frustrating process'

Do you think you can operate your motorbike with aplomb and clarity if in a frustrated state? Doesn't this illustrate a point of mine. People who are obsessive about recording others maybe potentially being a bit reckless in getting that footage in the first place and maybe irate or frustrated as you say.

'it does get some results, with a bunch of fines and penalty points being issued'

I didn't know gardai gave updates on every report you make? Learn something new everyday.

Frumy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122218608#Comment_122218608

Expert drivers? The aggressive and boorish nature of you is incredible. It's almost like you are upset someone has never been in a crash. Incredibly spiteful and jealous.

I don't use a dashcam doesn't mean I can't drive a car with one in it shock horror.

'you probably have a phone with a camera. I would blame that for the other driver overtaking on the corner and almost crashing into you. It is obviously your fault'

Like I said I haven't been in crashes but you think me owning a phone is the reason other people are bad drivers?

OK but I believe you posting on boards.ie is the reason Russia and Ukraine are at war. All them innocent life's lost.

How can you live with yourself?

magicbastarder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122218973#Comment_122218973

'There is no correlation between dangerous driving and dashcam use' - Never said there was.

two hours earlier:

I can guarantee you 100% this nonsense of drivers recording other drivers will lead to more accidents.

Frumy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122219384#Comment_122219384

I can guarantee you 100% this nonsense of drivers recording other drivers will lead to more accidents.

Notice the word dashcam is not used in the above at all. Yes 100% people recording each other incessantly will lead to more accidents, as you know as well as I do not everyone will use a dashcam people will try and pull out phones etc to record other people meaning one hand on the wheel, one hand on the phone and the drivers vision will be through the screen of his phone not on the road.

I drove by a accident recently, traffic was radically slowed down because of people pulling out phones to record the seriously injured man on the road. If these same people are incentivized to send in videos I can guarantee you, not all of them will be from dashcams.

The irony of this send in footage idea is it will lead to more dangerous driving and more dangerous roads.