Moment dangerous driver runs red light at crossing narrowly avoiding pedestrian

This is the moment a pedestrian comes within just seconds of being hit by a reckless driver at a pedestrian crossing in the West Midlands. With the traffic lights on red, the man rightly walks out to cross the road.

But an impatient and dangerous motorist overtakes another car before going through the red light, just missing the man crossing the road. The offence was captured on dashcam and sent to West Midlands Police who have now taken action against the brazen Toyota driver.

They were banned from driving and hit with a £2,600 fine. The incident has been highlighted by police chiefs as part of a plea for the public to send in dashcam footage of dangerous driving on the roads.

READ MORE: 'Millions' of drivers will break little-known Highway Code rules in cold weather this week

They said all footage sent in would be reviewed by staff and action taken against drivers where offences have been committed. Other offences captured by the public included a driver blowing up a balloon while driving on the M6, another motorist passing perilously close to a cyclist and a taxi driver caught using his phone.

Brumwish 2024 - buy a gift for a child in need

BrumWish 2024 is Birmingham Live's festive drive to get thousands of gifts to children and young people across our city - among them the homeless, the vulnerable, kids in care, kids who are poorly or struggling, and kids who have little.

There are THREE simple ways to help.

1. Buy a new gift from the Brumwish 2024 Amazon giftlist. In just a click your donation will be whizzing its way to our volunteers at Edgbaston Stadium.
2. Donate money to the appeal fund hosted by Thrive Together Birmingham - this will help pay for gifts for kids with specialist needs or specific wishes.
3. Buy a gift and, even better, rope in friends, neighbours and workmates to do the same, then drop off your pressies at Edgbaston Stadium, Edgbaston Road, B5 7QU on Friday 6th December, 10am - 3pm; Saturday 7th December, 10am - 1pm; or Monday 9th December, 10am - 1pm. Volunteers will be there to help you. Please don't wrap your gifts. You can also drop off by arrangement until Monday 16th December - contact Louise on 07469 979286.

Thanks to our partnership with #Toys4Birmingham, every single gift will find a good home in the loving care of a child living in B&Bs or hotels, hostels or refuges, children receiving support from specialist organisations and charities, and families being supported by children's centres and charities around the city.

Making up the Brumwish and Toys4Birmingham gang are Thrive Together Birmingham, Birmingham Playcare Network, Warwickshire Cricket Foundation (the charitable arm of Warwickshire County Cricket Club), Birmingham Forward Steps and BirminghamLive/Birmingham Mail.

Thank you to Amazon UK and the amazing team at the Sutton Coldfield depot for their support.

Police are appealing for any dashcam, CCTV or a mobile phone footage filmed by a passenger. West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, said: “Putting an end to dangerous driving is one of my top priorities, and I know it’s something that matters to the people of the West Midlands.

"These dangerous drivers need to be held to account and face the consequences of their actions. The public can aid us in doing that, so I’d urge anyone who has recorded footage to share it with the police, help bring perpetrators to justice, and ultimately reduce the number of people tragically and avoidably killed and seriously injured on our roads.

Tanya Johnson, who heads up the Operation Snap team, added: “Road safety is an absolute priority for West Midlands Police and the work of our specialised team is already making a real difference.” It doesn’t take long a member of the public to file a report and each one makes a real difference to road safety. Every dangerous driver who has been filmed and had to pay the price will, and should, be thinking again about the way they drive.”