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Near Miss of the Day 452: Horse box lorry driver's astonishingly close pass "scared me sh*tless," says cyclist

Our regular series featuring close passes from around the country - today it's Northamptonshire...

Here's an astonishingly close overtake on a cyclist, at speed, by the driver of a horse box lorry - leaving the  rider who found himself on the receiving end to say that it "scared me shitless."

The road.cc reader who filmed it, Bruce, said: "It was on the A413 near Whittlebury, just outside Towcester.

"I didn't report it as the number plate is not 100% clear unfortunately, that plus Northamptonshire police never ever update you on submitted videos (against their policy) so totally discouraged from reporting on their side.

"Other forces are much better," he added.

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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34 comments

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Shades | 3 years ago
0 likes

Just been riding in France for 2 weeks; they're not complete 'saints' out there when it comes to close passes but you just feel that the relationship between cars and cyclists is more 'respectful'.  Picked up the bike for my first UK ride (on return) and felt a bit heavier; that will be the front and back cameras back on.  Did I feel that I still needed them after a 2 week hiatus; 100%!!

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NZ Vegan Rider | 3 years ago
3 likes

This is why I have a helmet mirror and a Fly6 on the back of my bike - much easier to get the plate number.

Terribly close!! ;-(

I would've reported it.

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Smurf replied to NZ Vegan Rider | 3 years ago
2 likes

I do now have a fly 6. I have reported multiple close passes to this force, and had nothing but an email back saying "thanks, we wont be back in touch", which is very discouraging to even bother. Other forces I have submitted to have at least taken the time for a courtesy call to discuss. 

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Hirsute replied to Smurf | 3 years ago
1 like

With Essex it is currently

The Extra Eyes team are currently working on an improved Webform that will allow a more efficient and simple method of uploading your submission. While this important work takes place regrettably the team will be unable to process all submissions.

Thank you for your interest in making the roads of Essex safer and we assure you that the team will be fully operational as soon as the work on the new Webform has been completed.

We will temporarily be assessing submissions and dealing with high end offences, while sending warning letters or using the submission for intelligence purposes for lower end offences.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this period and for continuing to make the roads of Essex safer.

 

Then they leave you to input your URN into their webpage to see if there is any action. No human to human contact even when it is all working.

I'm thinking of a FOI same as mungecrundle.

(there must be a lot of 'snitches' in Essex, as the URN sequence has gone up by 140 in 2 days.)

 

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kil0ran | 3 years ago
1 like

I have a suspiscion that wasn't deliberate, there was no intention - he just didn't see you. Because the alternative is worse in my eyes. And no point in reporting it - would be a "low winter sun m'lud" job.

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Smurf replied to kil0ran | 3 years ago
4 likes

Bright red jacket, flashing red tail light, straight road, bright sunlight, if he missed me its not because of anything I did. Perhaps on his phone or distracted, I dont know. And as above, I was definately too far left, however if, considering this driver potentially missed seeing me, that is the case, it probably saved my life.

 

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Hirsute replied to Smurf | 3 years ago
3 likes

Quite similar to 446 only at higher speed.

Hope you can get back on the bike afer that.

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Smurf replied to Hirsute | 3 years ago
3 likes

Thanks hirsute. 

Shook that off pretty quickly, I cant control what I cant control. 

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kil0ran replied to Smurf | 3 years ago
2 likes

"If he missed me it's not because of anything I did" - agreed, and that's the scary thing about passes like these. Inches from death and for no reason other than SMIDSY or wilful action to intimidate or harm. It's why I'm currently off the road and concentrating on MTB.

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grOg replied to kil0ran | 3 years ago
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The driver definitely saw the cyclist, as he moved over just enough to miss him and then clearly moves back after passing him; this was deliberate intimidation by the driver and being a horse truck, which part of the community likes horses and might be likely to engage in such conduct? (cough) traveller (cough).

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Spokesperson replied to grOg | 3 years ago
2 likes

Are you an out and out racist or do you just hate travellers?

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Projectcyclingf... replied to kil0ran | 3 years ago
1 like
kil0ran wrote:

I have a suspiscion that wasn't deliberate, there was no intention - he just didn't see you. Because the alternative is worse in my eyes. And no point in reporting it - would be a "low winter sun m'lud" job.

Why are you making excuses for this dangerous driver when they should be condemed ?
There are no excuses for the fear they cause in threatening someone's life.

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Hirsute replied to Projectcyclingfitness | 3 years ago
0 likes

They didn't make any excuses.

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Titanus | 3 years ago
0 likes

"I didn't report it as the number plate is not 100% clear unfortunately, that plus Northamptonshire police never ever update you on submitted videos (against their policy) so totally discouraged from reporting on their side.

"Other forces are much better,"

Uh? Why not report it to one of the other forces then? Pretty sure police have to investigate crime regardless of what force they are.

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HoarseMann replied to Titanus | 3 years ago
1 like

yep, the plate was clear enough, but looks like this happened back in Jan, so too late now...

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alexls replied to Titanus | 3 years ago
2 likes
Titanus wrote:

"I didn't report it as the number plate is not 100% clear unfortunately, that plus Northamptonshire police never ever update you on submitted videos (against their policy) so totally discouraged from reporting on their side.

"Other forces are much better,"

Uh? Why not report it to one of the other forces then? Pretty sure police have to investigate crime regardless of what force they are.

Because it's not their jurisdiction so they don't have the budget (or authority) to investigate. They would either tell you to report it to the correct force, forward it themselves, or just bin it.

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Smurf replied to Titanus | 3 years ago
2 likes

Reported plenty, Northants, nothing. Other forces in the area will at least phone to discuss. 

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OldRidgeback | 3 years ago
1 like

Submit it to the cops.

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CXR94Di2 | 3 years ago
1 like

Report, report, report!

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billymansell | 3 years ago
1 like

FFS not another one of these petty idiots from Northamptonshire who won't submit videos because they haven't been getting updated info even though submissions could benefit others on the road.

We're fortunate to have a good police force in Northants and I know the issue of updates is being looked into, and we're fortunate to have  a Chief Constable like Nick Adderley - who's a top bloke - who's genuinely commited to making the county's roads safer.

 

 

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Smurf replied to billymansell | 3 years ago
2 likes

Are we fortunate? I agree. I dont agree with no updates though. Or no action. It does not encourage you to bother. For all I know they just ignore it. Sorry Billy, but in this case, and I use your words "petty idiot" simply does not apply. If I felt I would get a conviction, and I had a clear shot of the number plate, I would definately have submitted. my actions are considered and based on past experience on the prior, has led me to a differing opinion of Northamptonshire police in this department.
Conversly, Thames Valley have the courtesy to phone you and discuss. Hopefully just a department, as seperate to this gripe I hold northamptonshire police in high regard. 

Thank you for your views and assumptions.

 

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Mungecrundle replied to Smurf | 3 years ago
2 likes

Same with Herts. Reasonably easy submission process, request for upload of video then nothing, using GDPR as an arse covering get out.

Actually I don't really care too much about the outcome, indeed I'd be surprised to find they even bothered with a NIP or letter to the registered keeper, certainly not to the extent of taking my time following up. I guess a generic freedom of information request one day might be interesting - number of reports via their portal and outcomes.

If nothing else though, every report has to be logged against a number plate (surely???) and if that plate comes up enough times then maybe someone might make some effort to follow it up or take a future reported incident more seriously.

I live in hope...

 

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Awavey replied to Mungecrundle | 3 years ago
1 like

The process may be relatively straightforward,but ultimately what's the point?

its an extra bundle of stress/burden that I sure dont need when all I want to do is just ride my bike,not be an extension of police camera action, and theres no grim satisfaction gained from doing it.

Let's face it the drivers we might be reporting are unlikely to learn anything from it,they drive in the way they do because they are grade A selfish tw**s in the first place,and you always worry about the unhinged ones who might go hunting for you to get some payback.

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Mungecrundle replied to Awavey | 3 years ago
2 likes

The alternative is to accept the status quo and do nothing with the tools currently available (beyond complaining on echo chamber internet forums) to make sure the behaviour we face out on the roads is at least reported to the authorities.

Your tolerance level and motivation might not be CyclingMikey league, mine certainly isn't but if you are concerned enough to ride with a camera then it would be public spirited to report the incidents that cause you genuine concern.

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Awavey replied to Mungecrundle | 3 years ago
1 like

I just find it depressing thats all, CyclingMikey has my full admiration for keeping at it, and not losing that love of still riding whilst faced with seemingly insurmountable odds. Id like to think I would always report incidents that caused me genuine fear for my safety concern, but its increasingly difficult to judge  I find

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ktache replied to Awavey | 3 years ago
1 like

I hope that if reports are made then if and when something more serious occurs or of multiple incidents are reported that there is no "previous good character" to fall back on.  They had form...

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Mungecrundle replied to Awavey | 3 years ago
2 likes

Like a lot of things in life, I find that lowering my expectations makes me a far more contented man.

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squidgy | 3 years ago
4 likes

Holy moly , that was close.

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lostshrimp | 3 years ago
4 likes

Surely not from the optimity of road safety a horse rider. They never complain when you past too slow too fast too close too far away or when you Shout to let them know you're there, don't let them know you there. Look at their horse the wrong way, when a drain cover looks at them the wrong way.

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Titanus replied to lostshrimp | 3 years ago
3 likes

The words you typed are all English ones, all short and simple ones too but when they are put in the order you put them in, they are very discombobulating.

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