THE controversial practice of recording police officers on duty helped to highlight the death of Ian Tomlinson.

Similarly, in the USA there was uproar after the filming of officers detaining Eric Garner.

With the majority of mobile phones having a video facility and devices such as GoPro available, proliferation of amateur footage can only increase. But amid the questions over morality it is undeniable that these recordings have helped to bring to light possible misconduct.

The capturing of a bus driving dangerously through Witney is just the latest example.

Without the dash cam of Carteton resident Giles Stevens it is unlikely this piece of driving would have been brought to the attention of Stagecoach.

Instead the company has been given compelling evidence of a bus driving on the wrong side of the road.

Mr Stevens, who installed the camera after a near miss in March, is right to say there could have been a serious accident.

And while we cannot judge before the full circumstances are known, and the public cannot act as judge, jury and executioner, it is hoped by publishing the video the driver will see the error of his or her ways and the company will take the necessary action.

It should not take naming and shaming to promote responsible driving, but dash cams provide a way of making sure motorists who persist in driving badly can be held to account.