Dash Camera Road Safety Project
New project launched on Bodmin MoorBodmin Moor has become the first part of the UK to run a unique community project to help improve road safety and reduce the number of livestock that are killed or injured on its roads each year.
About the project
The Dash Camera Road Safety Project, part of the Bodmin Moor Rural Crime initiative, a partnership forum that includes representatives from agencies and groups such as the Association of Bodmin Moor Landowners and Bodmin Moor Commons Council will involve almost 100 local farmers, landowners and members of the community alongside partners from, Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service and Forestry England.
Those participating in the project will be provided with dash cameras and encouraged to record and submit incidents that put either animals or other road users in danger. These incidents could range from traffic offences and collisions involving livestock as well as anti-social behaviour, and will be uploaded and acted upon via Devon & Cornwall Police’s Operation Snap initiative. (https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/opsnap).
Funding
The project has been funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Cornwall Community Foundation’s Crimebeat Fund.
On a daily basis, communities across Cornwall are being affected by people driving dangerously so it’s absolutely right that I should try to help those communities do something about it.The answer to most problems lies within communities themselves so, through Cornwall Community Foundation, we are asking interested groups how they would make the roads where they live safer - to slow drivers down, stop anti-social road use, prevent accidents and ultimately save lives.
We are seeing significant numbers of animals killed or injured by road users on Bodmin Moor each year. During 2019 over 70 sheep, cows and ponies were killed or injured and this year already, a further 30 animals have been killed or injured. This project will not only support our local farmers and landowners, but also help to make the roads a safer place for livestock and all moorland road users.
The Dash Camera Road Safety Project is an excellent tool for landowners and farmers on Bodmin Moor who regularly encounter instances of injured livestock as a result of inconsiderate drivers and uncontrolled dogs, as well as increasing cases of anti-social behaviour on the moor.It will provide a clear record of daily occurrences such as those who refuse to obey the law by not keeping their dogs on leads, off-road vehicles and other illegal activities. These are encountered every day by landowners and farmers on the moor and cause significant financial loss and stress.Thanks to the efforts of the Bodmin Moor Rural Crime Initiative, evidence can now be given directly to the police rather than always having to confront the public in person which can put individuals at risk.