How to proceed if you film a driver's motor vehicle accident in your dashcam – and the way to make use of the footage in claims

DECIDING who to blame for dodgy driving on UK roads has never been easier because of dashcams.

Millions of Brits now have dashcams suited to their cars filming everything that happens around them.

It means police can get hold of footage to determine who had been actually at fault in a roundabout or T-junction smash.

Crash-for-cash insurance scams may also be stopped in a heartbeat saving motorists countless pounds a year thanks to the videos.

But what should you do if you catch an incident on your camera that you're not involved in?

Are you legally obliged to prevent and offer the footage as evidence to insurers or cops?

The answer depends on how serious the crash is.

You're not legally required to stop if it's a minor prang – but if you can help like a witness then you need to stop if it's safe.

Should you simply realise you caught something on camera after you've driven off then the best cause of action is to submit the footage to your local police.

Especially if it shows someone breaking the law – this may be a driver on a mobile phone, a reckless speeder or a motorist driving dangerously.

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Failing to do this could let someone off the hook who deserves punishment – leaving a innocent victim with no comeback.

But also neglecting to share footage that may stop a crash-for-cash scam might lead to your personal insurance premium soaring as insurers face huge claims from fraudsters and pass costs on to honest motorists.

It's greatly a postcode lottery for submitting dashcam footage to cops, though.

North Wales pioneered an online server where drivers could submit clips yet others have followed suit – but not everyone.

Leading dash cam manufacturer Nextbase is considering creating a UK-wide tool to help share footage with cops.

Richard Browning, director at Nextbase, told Driving.co.uk: "Using the Nextbase app or computer software it is simple to share footage if you're a witness for an incident, however the only issue here is based on getting that footage in front of the police, which could end up being very difficult.

"However, Nextbase happens to be in discussions using the police about streamlining this method, so watch this space.”