Incident this morning with an HGV
Incident this morning with an HGV
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Discussion

Dr Murdoch

Original Poster:

3,943 posts

164 months

Thursday 10th August 2017
quotequote all
I was going to put this in the "my cycle to work" thread, but thought it should have its own, as I could do with advice.

This morning I'm cycling in a mandatory cycle lane minding my own business then a 10t rigid lorry (Sainsburys) overtakes me but then squeezes me and cuts into the cycle lane. Warning shot? Careless? Whatever, I continue as I'm not one to suffer road rage, prefer to continue in my own bubble.

Traffic ahead, I sat behind HGV as no room to filter either side, until we get to a signalised ped crossing, I then filter down past him and a few others. I hear a horn blast. Hmmm, now I'm thinking the incident a moment ago was a warning shot.

As we approach Kew Bridge said HGV passes closely and squeezes me, I back off to avoid contact with kerb and/or HGV. This time I raise a questioning hand, as if to say, whats that about....

Anyway, traffic on kew bridge and i'm debating whether to take a picture of the number plate, can I be bothered, but should I be bothered as he really could be a danger others. I decide against it.

However, as I go past him and others in traffic I come to a Police car. Knock on the window, explain the events, Officer said pull over ahead and I'll pull the vehicle in. Sorted giving details, said he would consult his colleague later who is a traffic specialist (this one wasn't), and they would contact me for a full statement.

Do I leave it there, or should I contact Sainsburys and let them know they have a lunatic driving for them? I didn't get the reg number, but the Officer who dealt on scene would have. I haven't got a go pro, would of been handy today. First time in 25 years that Ive been involved in anything like this, live and let live and all that.

Cheers

SantaBarbara

3,244 posts

137 months

Thursday 10th August 2017
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Do sainsburys lorises have that sticker on the back with an 0800 phone number, asking if they are well driven?

TwistingMyMelon

6,506 posts

234 months

Thursday 10th August 2017
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Sounds like you did right, I would see what Police say

lucido grigio

44,044 posts

192 months

Thursday 10th August 2017
quotequote all
Did the police you spoke to stop the lorry for a chat ?

I would report it to Sainsbury to,I got a few "reports" when I was driving a fully sign written lorry.

Dr Murdoch

Original Poster:

3,943 posts

164 months

Thursday 10th August 2017
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
It was the same HGV who squeezed me twice, no reason to move towards the kerb, the road is wide with a 2m wide mandatory cycle lane (solid white line, as opposed to dashed).

The 2nd time I had to brake to avoid contact, the first was a close shave. As I said, first time could be incompetence, 2nd time (and after a horn blast) was clearly not.

I hadn't seen this lorry until it squeezed my whilst it over took. I wasn't even holding him up as there was loads of room. V Bizarre.

Hopefully the Police will contact Sainsburys for a statement and it can go down as a black mark against the driver. I.e, if a similar complaint comes in they (Sainsburys) may begin to think this guy has form for this.

G321

678 posts

233 months

Friday 11th August 2017
quotequote all
I would report this to sainsburys anyway. If it was a mistake by the driver then fair enough but it sounds like he has a vendetta and could possibly injure someone in the future if he's not warned about this soon

Barchettaman

7,251 posts

161 months

Friday 11th August 2017
quotequote all
I was forced off the road and onto the verge (and crashed) in France by a lorry that overtook me just before a RH bend with very little room, and then cut back in as it went round the corner.

It was daylight, I had flashing rear lights and was wearing a hi-viz tabard. I was lucky not to be injured and the bike was OK.

He turned into his yard a KM up the road which I saw, I cycled over and asked him about it and he was fairly blasé.

I called his MD that night and gave the driver´s name, truck reg and time of the incident (I speak fluent French). On the phone at least, the bloke seemed to take the incident a bit more seriously and an official warning letter was going to be sent to that driver.

Unexpected Item In The Bagging Area

7,415 posts

218 months

Friday 11th August 2017
quotequote all
I think you should report it, especially as as you report the incidents you did nothing to provoke such a reaction from the driver (not that there would ever be any excuse for endangering another road user). The more you can do to get him bked the better.

Donbot

4,194 posts

156 months

Friday 11th August 2017
quotequote all
Best to report these incidents. If a driver has history of poor driving / aggression it could help in future incidents.

People who drive like this shouldn't be on the road.

carinatauk

1,593 posts

281 months

Friday 11th August 2017
quotequote all
Contact JS head office and explain. They usually take a dim view of this sort of thing, any press is bad press. DO NOT use the 0800 number for "is my driving ste" it is a third party and they don't seem to give a st.

Police may follow it up no guarantees.

edited to add: make sure that you tell JS HO the conversation with the police, it might help. Also it would help others if you did, the next cyclist / pedestrian might not be so lucky.

Edited by carinatauk on Friday 11th August 17:09

Connectors

226 posts

118 months

Friday 11th August 2017
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
Really?

Dr Murdoch said:
(solid white line, as opposed to dashed)

Kermit power

29,622 posts

242 months

Friday 11th August 2017
quotequote all
Assuming you've got the details of the copper, I'd wait to see what they do, and if they don't do anything, then I'd ask them for the reg number and report it to Sainsburys.

Having said that, if you've got the location and a pretty exact idea of the time, I would imagine there's a fair chance Sainsburys will be able to identify the truck from GPS records?

Dr Murdoch

Original Poster:

3,943 posts

164 months

Friday 11th August 2017
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Fancy actually reading my posts?

Dr Murdoch

Original Poster:

3,943 posts

164 months

Friday 11th August 2017
quotequote all
Connectors said:
Quite.

g7jhp

7,033 posts

267 months

Saturday 12th August 2017
quotequote all
Speak to Police get the reg number and report to Sainsbury's.

If you don't pursue it and and it seriously nobody else will.


hondafanatic

4,969 posts

230 months

Saturday 12th August 2017
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Dr Murdoch said:
Fancy actually reading my posts?
Naaaaaa. Much better to draw conclusions based purely on thread title and post with the freedom that allows.

popeyewhite

23,012 posts

149 months

Saturday 12th August 2017
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I'm not au fait with urban cycling jargon and don't use cycle lanes, could you tell me what a "warning shot" is?

Connectors

226 posts

118 months

Saturday 12th August 2017
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Apologies, I seem to have misinterpreted rule 140 of the Highway Code...