Australians lead the way in roadshaming

It looks like dash cams are being put to good use in Australia with global bad driver behaviour website Roadshamer.com reporting that Aussies are the world leaders in uploading photos and videos of road users.

Roadshamer says that Australians are uploading over 80 videos per week, more than the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada.

According to Nadav Golombick, Australian webmaster for Roadshamer, there were three key reasons for developing the site:

1. To improve driving overall.
2. To deter drivers from offending.
3. To increase awareness of the danger of various road offences.

“We name and shame bad drivers by showing their vehicle licence plates and adding them to a database that can be searched by anyone visiting the site,” he said.

He believes that users are compelled to upload images in an effort to prevent repeat offences, because of a sense of satisfaction that something has been done and because it reduces the likelihood of road rage as the uploader knows the offender will be shamed.

Each image is assessed and authorised before it is made available for public viewing. Uploaders can select from more than 30 categories including: illegal parking, accidents, changing lanes without signalling, cheating traffic, cutting off another driver, distracted and reckless driving, taking up more than one parking space, driving against the traffic, hit-and-runs, illegal stopping or parking, illegal u-turns, littering, not stopping at a red light, parking in handicapped parking without a permit, road rage and tailgating.

According to Golombick, “Uploading videos could start make other drivers aware they are being watched and will make them more careful. All most drivers want is to get to where they are going safely. Driving on the road should not be more stressful than it has to be. And careful and law-abiding drivers means less injuries on the roads.”

Image credit: © iStockphotcom/RapidEye