Would you report a dangerous driver?
Poll: Would you report a dangerous driver?
Total Members Polled: 42
Discussion
This morning I was dangerously cut up by a van driver who had a problem with a colleague and I riding two-abreast.
Without any warning other than sounding his horn at us (which we ignored), a 100 meters back from the incident, he overtook us forcing both my colleague and I into the gutter even though we only had about 2-3 meters of space between the car ahead. In other words, he turned into us to deliberately drive us off the road knowing there was no space to overtake.
When I told him I'd be reporting him to the police, he told me "I'm the same as all f
king cyclists and it was illegal to ride two-abreast."
So I reported him to his company.
They were very sympathetic and I've just received an email telling me he's had a written warning, been disciplined and will received further training.
I feel quite satisfied at the result. I hope that'll be enough to discourage him from doing it again but who knows.
Would you do the same or do you let things slide and just "get on with it"?
Without any warning other than sounding his horn at us (which we ignored), a 100 meters back from the incident, he overtook us forcing both my colleague and I into the gutter even though we only had about 2-3 meters of space between the car ahead. In other words, he turned into us to deliberately drive us off the road knowing there was no space to overtake.
When I told him I'd be reporting him to the police, he told me "I'm the same as all f
king cyclists and it was illegal to ride two-abreast."So I reported him to his company.
They were very sympathetic and I've just received an email telling me he's had a written warning, been disciplined and will received further training.
I feel quite satisfied at the result. I hope that'll be enough to discourage him from doing it again but who knows.
Would you do the same or do you let things slide and just "get on with it"?
Regardless of whether the van driving was poor or not, can I suggest that if you were only 2 or 3 meters from the vehicle in front then you were dangerously close and inconsiderately not leaving enough space for safe overtaking? If we cyclists want to be treated fairly on the road, we should stick to the rules ourselves.
vanordinaire said:
Regardless of whether the van driving was poor or not, can I suggest that if you were only 2 or 3 meters from the vehicle in front then you were dangerously close and inconsiderately not leaving enough space for safe overtaking? If we cyclists want to be treated fairly on the road, we should stick to the rules ourselves.
The traffic was very heavy and slow moving on a single lane road - 5 mph tops. The distance of the car in front of me was fine.vanordinaire said:
Regardless of whether the van driving was poor or not, can I suggest that if you were only 2 or 3 meters from the vehicle in front then you were dangerously close and inconsiderately not leaving enough space for safe overtaking? If we cyclists want to be treated fairly on the road, we should stick to the rules ourselves.
Sorry to go o/t but, what on earth are you on about? What rules?Back on topic, I wouldn't bother - I commute into a major city and encounter morons all the time. I just ignore them and get on with my day. I very quickly learned that getting annoyed with other people just raised my own blood pressure.
vanordinaire said:
Regardless of whether the van driving was poor or not, can I suggest that if you were only 2 or 3 meters from the vehicle in front then you were dangerously close and inconsiderately not leaving enough space for safe overtaking? If we cyclists want to be treated fairly on the road, we should stick to the rules ourselves.
Seriously? If you are driving, and in heavy traffic, do you always leave room for the car behind to get past? No. Most drivers position themselves TOO CLOSE when queuing in traffic. Drivers getting knobby about cyclists being slow happens all the time. Then, when traffic is slow/heavy, drivers get knobby when cyclists (legitimately) filter through delays or overtake. Put simply, drivers want it all their own way. If there isn't space into which it is safe to overtake, then the overtake simply isn't on. It doesn't matter what it is you are overtaking. It's a very basic skill for a good driver, but the problem is that many drivers simply don't regard bikes as 'traffic' and so don't consider it to be 'overtaking'.
The whole issue of 'two abreast' is null and void in the situation described too. It is safer, in the main, to "take the lane" when riding in slow traffic, in order to prevent these pathetic attempts to pass, and riding two abreast achieves this more readily. Every time the vehicle behind squeezes past, there is a 'new' driver behind who may not have seen you. I, personally, don't fancy the idea of being concertina'd between two motor vehicles. If the traffic eased and the speed went up, it would be very easy to return to single file, but remember, two abreast is well within the law, and two cyclists in single file with an appropriate gap between them could actually be more difficult to pass than two abreast. Each situation demands a decision based on the road conditions at the time. Don't be so quick to judge - you weren't there
ETA:
In answer to the question "Would you report a dangerous driver?"
That would entirely depend upon how threatened/vulnerable I felt at the time, and whether or not I felt there was any realistic hope of a positive outcome from it. From past experience, the Police aren't terribly interested, even when an independent witness backs your own account of the incident, and injuries are involved. Still, if you report it and nothing is done, at least you have tried your best. If you don't bother with reporting such incidents, no action is possible by anyone, and nothing will change.
Edited by yellowjack on Thursday 13th March 14:15
To be honest I get this kind of incident all the time, but what stood out more than others was the fact that he deliberately tried to drive me off the road.
The result had I not reacted would have been a broken limb, serious injury or worse.
Drivers like this are oblivious to the damage they can potentially cause and all for absolutely no gain.
Basically, I saw it as this driver tried to kill me so that's the reason I reported him. I'm still in two minds to report him to the local plod for his actions but this is Gibraltar and most likely, he's some kind of relative to the police so nothing will happen.
His company HQ is based in the UK and my email was quickly escalated to the Regional Director, HR Director and his line manager. Ultimately, with a written warning, any further crass actions on his part will probably result in the loss of his job so I hope he'll think twice before doing something this stupid again.
The result had I not reacted would have been a broken limb, serious injury or worse.
Drivers like this are oblivious to the damage they can potentially cause and all for absolutely no gain.
Basically, I saw it as this driver tried to kill me so that's the reason I reported him. I'm still in two minds to report him to the local plod for his actions but this is Gibraltar and most likely, he's some kind of relative to the police so nothing will happen.
His company HQ is based in the UK and my email was quickly escalated to the Regional Director, HR Director and his line manager. Ultimately, with a written warning, any further crass actions on his part will probably result in the loss of his job so I hope he'll think twice before doing something this stupid again.
fulham911club said:
beanbag said:
To be honest I get this kind of incident all the time,
Maybe you are the problem then?What if you get reported for the way you ride? Oh wait that's not possible...
As both an avid driver and cyclist, I overtake with plenty of room. (i.e. I move to the other side of the road).
Drivers who don't do this are crass and stupid and should be taken off the road. If you can't overtake cleanly and with plenty of room, have a little patience and wait 30-60 seconds until you see a safe gap.
In heavy start-stop traffic, I never see the point of overtaking a cyclist. They'll always pass you anyway and most cyclists will easily do 20mph which is beyond the speed you can do in that flow anyway.
But I get your point. I suppose I am the problem as I probably "don't pay road tax", or "I don't have a number plate", or perhaps "it's illegal to ride two abreast"....yeah, I guess I am the problem.....
yellowjack said:
From past experience, the Police aren't terribly interested, even when an independent witness backs your own account of the incident, and injuries are involved.
If the police aren't interested even when injuries occur then I'd be straight onto the Chief Constable (Commissioner if Met), local MP and local police and crime commissioner asking why they're not investigating a crime involving risk to life.beanbag said:
But I get your point. I suppose I am the problem as I probably "don't pay road tax", or "I don't have a number plate", or perhaps "it's illegal to ride two abreast"....yeah, I guess I am the problem.....
I never mentioned "road tax". If you keep finding yourself in these kind of incidents then perhaps it is you who is at fault. I'm sure a poll of cyclists will not show the majority find themselves in this sort of incident most of the time. So what I meant was that perhaps your approach to cycling is the problem.Get it now or will you still insist on the rolleyes?!
yellowjack said:
vanordinaire said:
Regardless of whether the van driving was poor or not, can I suggest that if you were only 2 or 3 meters from the vehicle in front then you were dangerously close and inconsiderately not leaving enough space for safe overtaking? If we cyclists want to be treated fairly on the road, we should stick to the rules ourselves.
Seriously? If you are driving, and in heavy traffic, do you always leave room for the car behind to get past? No. Most drivers position themselves TOO CLOSE when queuing in traffic. 2-3m is too close to the vehicle in front whether you're on a bike or in a car.
In heavy traffic though, what is the point of the driver trying to overtake other than to be a dick?
fulham911club said:
I never mentioned "road tax". If you keep finding yourself in these kind of incidents then perhaps it is you who is at fault. I'm sure a poll of cyclists will not show the majority find themselves in this sort of incident most of the time. So what I meant was that perhaps your approach to cycling is the problem.
Get it now or will you still insist on the rolleyes?!
You are wrong I am sorry to report. Get it now or will you still insist on the rolleyes?!
Dreadful, aggressive driving is the norm and the OP's experience is common to the majority of cyclists.
Dammit said:
fulham911club said:
I never mentioned "road tax". If you keep finding yourself in these kind of incidents then perhaps it is you who is at fault. I'm sure a poll of cyclists will not show the majority find themselves in this sort of incident most of the time. So what I meant was that perhaps your approach to cycling is the problem.
Get it now or will you still insist on the rolleyes?!
You are wrong I am sorry to report. Get it now or will you still insist on the rolleyes?!
Dreadful, aggressive driving is the norm and the OP's experience is common to the majority of cyclists.
Dammit said:
You are wrong I am sorry to report.
Dreadful, aggressive driving is the norm and the OP's experience is common to the majority of cyclists.
Here we go again.Dreadful, aggressive driving is the norm and the OP's experience is common to the majority of cyclists.
He said "To be honest I get this kind of incident all the time".
Do you, all the time? Or occasionally?
As I said if ALL cyclists find themselves in these sorts of incidents all the time then there is a problem with other road users. But I just don't believe it.
fulham911club said:
Maybe you are the problem then?
What if you get reported for the way you ride? Oh wait that's not possible...
No, it's that a huge number of drivers are utter What if you get reported for the way you ride? Oh wait that's not possible...
s towards cyclists, as exhibited by this forum on a daily basis. Why should anyone care what you believe? When out on the bike it happens with alarming regularity. That is just the way the terrible attitude is in the UK.
Hackney said:
1. There had been no mention of "heavy traffic" when vanordinaire posted. So his point was correct.
2. 2-3m is too close to the vehicle in front whether you're on a bike or in a car.
3. In heavy traffic though, what is the point of the driver trying to overtake other than to be a dick?
In response to the points made...2. 2-3m is too close to the vehicle in front whether you're on a bike or in a car.
3. In heavy traffic though, what is the point of the driver trying to overtake other than to be a dick?
1. If a cyclist can get to, and stay within, 2 to 3 metres of the bumper of the car in front, TRAFFIC WILL BE HEAVY. Simple as. No need to 'mention' it directly, it's all there if you read between the lines in addition to what's written on them
2. The phrase "can stop within the distance I can see to be clear, and may reasonably presume will stay clear" governs this one. If the rider is confident (and because he can see over the top of the car ahead, he will be) that he can stop within 2 metres, without hitting the car ahead if it brakes, then I am afraid that 2 metres IS a safe following distance in the circumstances.
3. Absolutely agree with you. I've lost count of the number of times some halfwit will force an overtake on me, despite the fact that I'm already slowing down approaching the rear of a queue, and well out into the lane, only for me to end up (correctly) moving out into the opposing traffic lane, carrying out a legal and safe overtake of the entire queue, sitting in the advanced stop box and getting away ahead of the entire queue. True, they'll only end up overtaking me again three miles up the road, but why the hell should I sit at the back of a queue through umpteen traffic light phases, choking on exhaust fumes, when I don't need to?
fulham911club said:
Here we go again.
He said "To be honest I get this kind of incident all the time".
Do you, all the time? Or occasionally?
As I said if ALL cyclists find themselves in these sorts of incidents all the time then there is a problem with other road users. But I just don't believe it.
Well we're stuck then. He said "To be honest I get this kind of incident all the time".
Do you, all the time? Or occasionally?
As I said if ALL cyclists find themselves in these sorts of incidents all the time then there is a problem with other road users. But I just don't believe it.
When you are willing to rely in fact rather than belief, come back to the discussion.
Yes, absolutely!
I reported a taxi driver who maliciously tried to run me off the road earlier this year, bib said they would go around to speak to him. Never heard anything back but given how animated the officer at the front counter was when I reported the incident I believe someone went around to have a chat.
A friend of mine had a car on the way to work that repeatedly blew his horn, steered towards my mate, offered him nescafe through the window a few times a week. One day the guy went too far, clipped my friend and drove off, he was reported to the police for leaving the scene of the accident (thankfully it was the middle of the rush hour and several people stopped and agreed to act as witnesses). Long and short of it was it turned out this guy was a repeat offender and simply hated cyclists, he already had 6 points for aggressive driving (or some such offense), and ended up in court with a 6 month driving ban and hefty fine.
If my friend had let it go the hater would have carried on driving towards cyclists....
I reported a taxi driver who maliciously tried to run me off the road earlier this year, bib said they would go around to speak to him. Never heard anything back but given how animated the officer at the front counter was when I reported the incident I believe someone went around to have a chat.
A friend of mine had a car on the way to work that repeatedly blew his horn, steered towards my mate, offered him nescafe through the window a few times a week. One day the guy went too far, clipped my friend and drove off, he was reported to the police for leaving the scene of the accident (thankfully it was the middle of the rush hour and several people stopped and agreed to act as witnesses). Long and short of it was it turned out this guy was a repeat offender and simply hated cyclists, he already had 6 points for aggressive driving (or some such offense), and ended up in court with a 6 month driving ban and hefty fine.
If my friend had let it go the hater would have carried on driving towards cyclists....
Yes, I have reported a few. Some to their companies, a couple to the police. I'm still waiting to hear from the police about what is being done to this idiot...
http://youtu.be/CT-1_EEROEs
I always ride with my camera recording now after being ran off the road by someone who also didn't stop.
I'm not like some you see on youtube who sometimes seem to look for incidents to record and cause a scene over but I will upload and report idiots like this.
http://youtu.be/CT-1_EEROEs
I always ride with my camera recording now after being ran off the road by someone who also didn't stop.
I'm not like some you see on youtube who sometimes seem to look for incidents to record and cause a scene over but I will upload and report idiots like this.
Edited by Lionsden on Thursday 13th March 22:57
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