For all the bad things that technology and dash cam footage is blamed for these days, it’s easy to forget about how much good it can lead to.
Case in point: apprehending criminals.

While there are countless examples of this, one notable recent situation in Australia involved a wrong-way reckless driver. If you watch the video, you can clearly see the driver operating a vehicle against oncoming traffic, forcing other drivers to have to swerve out of the way to avoid being struck. Luckily, a fellow driver captured the man’s negligent and reckless driving on a dash cam. This driver, Jess Green, shared the video to Facebook, where it then went on a bit of a mini viral run. Area police eventually caught wind of the video and immediately began an investigation into the situation. Soon after, a 39-year-old suspect was apprehended and arrested. He’s due to appear in Australian court in early 2018.

Thanks to Green’s quick thinking, the dangerous driver will pay for putting others in harm’s way – and right amid the holiday season, no less. Green’s quick reaction is a great way that good Samaritans can use technology to help the greater good, especially when it comes to dangerous driving. A simple photo of a license plate or video of a vehicle driving illegally can potentially catch the wrongdoer before they have a chance to inflict any great harm. It’s what happened in this case, and there’s no question that it’s likely happened elsewhere throughout the world as well.
The only bad thing about this situation is that it happened just shy of Australia’s double merit period, which it enacts throughout a two-week period during the holiday season. The nation’s double merit period essentially doubles the points and penalties for breaking the rules of the road during the designated timeframe. We think this suspect deserves as much.

This situation serves as a good reminder of what not to do when you get behind the wheel of a vehicle. In our defensive driving courses, we cover how to safely operate a vehicle while obeying the rules of the road, as well as cover what to do if you ever encounter a suspected distracted or reckless driver. Jess Green had the right idea, to safely video the driver from a distance. And though she didn’t take the video to the police, it was only a matter of time before law enforcement professionals spotted it and did their due diligence.

Drive safe out there and beware of potential hazards!