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WU65 USG - Near miss 27 10 17

Near Miss of the Day 53: Driver with fogged up windows pulls out on rider

Our regular feature highlighting close passes caught on camera from around the country – today it’s Wiltshire... yet again
by Alex Bowden
Wed, Nov 01, 2017 11:44
11

A seasonal near miss today with a driver apparently floundering when faced with the entirely unexpected challenges presented by darkness and a fogged up windscreen. If only autumn could arrive annually, motorists might then have a fighting chance of not pulling out into the path of cyclists.

This is the third time in a week our Near Miss of the Day feature has paid a visit to Wiltshire.

First there was the lorry driver who overtook a car on the wrong side of the road around a blind corner then yesterday saw a croissant-munching driver pull out on road.cc reviewer Stu Kerton while he was testing a Ribble Sportive Racing Disc.

Today’s occurred at the end of Hundgerdown Lane in Chippenham at around 7.10am last Thursday.

Brian said: “The car doesn’t appear to see my 900 lumens front light and continues without a care. I had to swerve and just missed the pedestrian island. The police are not willing to follow it up as no collision occurred.”

In the video description, Brian adds that the car’s windows were not fully cleared.

Over the years road.cc has reported on literally hundreds of close passes and near misses involving badly driven vehicles from every corner of the country – so many, in fact, that we’ve decided to turn the phenomenon into a regular feature on the site. One day hopefully we will run out of close passes and near misses to report on, but until that happy day arrives, Near Miss of the Day will keep rolling on.

If you’ve caught on camera a close encounter of the uncomfortable kind with another road user that you’d like to share with the wider cycling community please send it to us at info [at] road.cc or send us a message via the road.cc Facebook page.

If the video is on YouTube, please send us a link, if not we can add any footage you supply to our YouTube channel as an unlisted video (so it won't show up on searches).

Please also let us know whether you contacted the police and if so what their reaction was, as well as the reaction of the vehicle operator if it was a bus, lorry or van with company markings etc.

Near Miss of the Day
NMotD
Wiltshire
Alex Bowden

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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11 comments

Avatar
bgw | 6 years ago
1 like

 

Update: Police now on the case.  Have reference number and name to talk to.

Avatar
cyclisto | 6 years ago
0 likes

After a ton of electronic drive by wire systems like ABS ESP ASR, radars, bonnet airbags and other high tec mumbo jumbo and still they haven't made a fast automatic defoging system. Together with wipers is the real shame of automobile industry, the equivalent for bikes of chains that get too dirty too fast.

Avatar
Flying Scot replied to cyclisto | 6 years ago
1 like

cyclisto wrote:

After a ton of electronic drive by wire systems like ABS ESP ASR, radars, bonnet airbags and other high tec mumbo jumbo and still they haven't made a fast automatic defoging system. Together with wipers is the real shame of automobile industry, the equivalent for bikes of chains that get too dirty too fast.

 

Ive heated windscreens that defog in seconds on the Volvo and Range Rover...not automatic though.

In 2005 my Alfa 147 had automatic de-misting, engine needed some warmth there though.

 

Both of which leave the side windows up to the driver, though most cars with air con will dehumidify the car reasonably well if on.

 

Avatar
maviczap replied to Flying Scot | 6 years ago
2 likes

Flying Scot wrote:

cyclisto wrote:

After a ton of electronic drive by wire systems like ABS ESP ASR, radars, bonnet airbags and other high tec mumbo jumbo and still they haven't made a fast automatic defoging system. Together with wipers is the real shame of automobile industry, the equivalent for bikes of chains that get too dirty too fast.

 

Ive heated windscreens that defog in seconds on the Volvo and Range Rover...not automatic though.

In 2005 my Alfa 147 had automatic de-misting, engine needed some warmth there though.

 

Both of which leave the side windows up to the driver, though most cars with air con will dehumidify the car reasonably well if on.

 

Talking about high end cars with decent anti fogging systems is all well and good, but used properly the standard air vent directed at the side screen will clear it and keep it clear.

But it's amazing how many people don't know the purpose of the side vents.

It ought to be part of the theory test.

Avatar
bgw | 6 years ago
2 likes

Thanks all.

I will definitely follow up with the Traffic Process Office at Wiltshire, and then escalate as you all suggest.

Cheers!!!

I got a screwed up face response from desk staff member when I mentioned that the operator on 101 told me to burn the disc and hand it in at the Police station.

Avatar
Greeneyelevin | 6 years ago
1 like

I've had the same response from Warwickshire police over a 'near miss'.

I don't see why they can't follow it up with a warning & some advise for drivers like this.

By letting them get away with this kind of behavior, drivers are just going to take more chances as they don't realise they're doing anything wrong.

Avatar
brooksby | 6 years ago
1 like

Just wait until we get into winter, when drivers think they just need to clear a slot in the frost or snow covering their car so they can see out directly in front and nowhere else...

Avatar
Dr_Lex replied to brooksby | 6 years ago
3 likes

brooksby wrote:

Just wait until we get into winter, when drivers think they just need to clear a slot in the frost or snow covering their car so they can see out directly in front and nowhere else...

 

2 

Back in 2013 - Mr Audi on the M4

//i.imgur.com/t0YVgwf.jpg)

Avatar
schlepcycling | 6 years ago
2 likes

I always find a complaint to the IPCC https://www.ipcc.gov.uk/

to be very effective and your local PCC too http://www.wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk/Home.aspx

If the police won't take you seriously and investigate time to go to someone who will make them.

Avatar
Sevenfold | 6 years ago
1 like

Or ask to speak to someone in the Traffic Process Office at Wiltshire. The team at WM Police are very helpful in dealing with 'near hits'.

Avatar
Grumpy17 | 6 years ago
6 likes

Brian from Wiltshire - Do not accept the police response you have had so far regarding this incident as the final verdict- you probably spoke to someone low down the foodchain who is in the habit of fobbing people off.

The standard of driving shown by this motorist is more than enough to indicate driving without due care and attention.

Assuming you got the driver's registration number ,send your enquiry in writing to the police HQ, Wiltshire and indicate that you wish to make a formal complaint about the lack of police action. Someone will then be obliged to look into the matter again and the outcome could well be more positive.

A collision was only avoided on account of your alertness and defensive riding .This does not render the driver's actions any less culpable.

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