Welsh Police Face Scrutiny Over 'Operation SNAP' Inaction on Close Pass Incidents
A year has passed since Welsh police forces, under the umbrella of Operation SNAP, ceased issuing cautionary notices for 'close pass' incidents, an initiative aimed at safeguarding vulnerable road users. This decision stemmed from an apparent misinterpretation of national guidance regarding the forensic measurement of passing distances. Despite assurances from the Forensic Science Regulator that no such restrictive guidelines were issued, police in Wales have maintained their stance, leading to widespread concern among the cycling community.
Welsh Police Under Fire for Neglecting 'Close Pass' Incidents: Operation SNAP's Effectiveness Questioned
In a concerning development for road safety advocates, two major police forces in Wales, South Wales Police and Dyfed-Powys Police, have reportedly continued to decline action on 'close pass' incidents, even a full year after a controversial shift in their enforcement policy. This inaction, affecting cyclists, pedestrians, and horse riders, stems from a misinterpretation of guidance from the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) regarding the forensic measurement of passing distances in submitted video evidence.
Last July, GoSafe, Wales' road casualty reduction partnership, announced that it would no longer pursue action on 'close pass' submissions, citing a perceived requirement for trained forensic specialists to verify distances, in line with standards set by the Forensic Science Regulator. However, the regulator has since clarified that it issued no national guidance that would prompt such a suspension of enforcement. Despite this clarification, Welsh forces have persisted in their approach, leading to a significant drop in punitive measures against dangerous drivers.
Road.cc readers recently shared their frustrating experiences, revealing generic and sometimes dismissive responses from the police. One submission to South Wales Police was met with a statement indicating their inability to measure passing distances to meet the evidential threshold for court. The response further claimed that 'Operation SNAP has become so successful' that the team is overwhelmed, forcing a temporary halt to issuing advisory notices for cases that lack additional aggravating factors. Another report to Dyfed-Powys Police, concerning a close pass by a bin lorry, received an abruptly worded refusal, stating: 'CANNOT SEE ANY PART OF BIKE IN VIDEO TO GAUGE AND RECENT FORENSIC GUIDELINES INSTRUCT NO CLOSE PASS AS CANNOT SAY DISTANCE.' This response left the cyclist perplexed, as previous submissions without specific bike angles had resulted in action.
While GoSafe's website affirms Operation SNAP's commitment to investigating a range of offenses, including dangerous driving and careless driving, and boasts of efficient processes designed to make roads safer, the partnership previously conceded that its staff lack the necessary 'specialist forensic accreditation' to analyze speed or distance. This acknowledgment, coupled with the ongoing refusal to act on numerous close pass incidents, raises serious questions about the program's efficacy and its ability to achieve its stated goal of enhancing road safety for all users.
The current situation highlights a critical disconnect between policy interpretation and practical application, leaving vulnerable road users feeling unprotected. The success of initiatives like Operation SNAP hinges on consistent and decisive enforcement. If police forces are unable or unwilling to act on compelling evidence due to perceived technical limitations or resource constraints, the deterrent effect is diminished, potentially emboldening dangerous driving behaviors. It is imperative that all stakeholders, including police forces, road safety partnerships, and regulatory bodies, work collaboratively to ensure that the spirit of road safety initiatives is upheld through actionable and effective enforcement.