Driver filmed ‘inhaling laughing gas’ while driving down the M6
Police have released a series of clips exposing the worst drivers who were caught red-handed in the last 12 months.
This is the shocking moment a BMW driver was filmed inhaling from what appeared to be a nitrous oxide balloon on the M6.
The motorist was slapped with a £770 fine and six points on his licence after another driver sent a video of his exploits to police.
He is one of 11,000 dangerous drivers who have been caught on camera in the West Midlands in the past year.
The number of submissions has grown steadily each year since police forces introduced an Operation Snap portal in 2017.
The online portal has been created to allow motorists to instantly report unlawful driving to the cops along with evidence of the act itself.
West Midlands Police have released a series of clips exposing the worst drivers who were caught red-handed in the last 12 months.
One clip shows a motorist ignoring a red light and driving over a pedestrian crossing, narrowly missing a woman who was crossing.
That motorist was convicted of dangerous driving and was given a year-long ban and ordered to pay £2,649 in costs and fines.
In another video, a driver narrowly misses a cyclist on Kings Heath High Street.
The driver was slapped with six points on their licence and ordered to pay £1,034.
A road rage driver captured on Lichfield Road, Wolverhampton, was given five points and a £150 fine for dangerous driving.
Meanwhile a taxi driver using his phone while waiting at traffic lights in the Dudley area was hit with six points and ordered to pay £400.
West Midlands Police say they have a 90 percent conviction rate coming as a result of motorists turning in reckless drivers.
June was the biggest ever month for driving footage being sent to the force with 1,467 submissions – the equivalent to 50 every day.
Sergeant Steve Evans said: ‘Road safety is an absolute priority for West Midlands Police and the work of our team is making a real difference.
‘Around 90 per cent of the submissions we get end in positive action.
‘That can be everything from a warning letter, up to prosecution and a day in court.
‘One driver has previously received a suspended prison sentence as a result of footage sent to the Op Snap team.
‘It doesn’t take long to do, and people who do take the time to send us their clips are making a real difference to road safety.
‘Every one of the people who’ve been filmed like this and have had to pay the price should now be thinking again about the way they drive.’
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