Nottingham cyclist was initially told to 'go away' when he tried to report near-miss to police

The _Kaner wrote:

Yep can't say that was too bad in comparison to many others...

If that's the pass in question, he needs to get to specksavers if he thinks it was close. Those sort of things are never 'comfortable' because you're always wary if the driver really knows how long the trailer is. Certainly wasn't brown trousers material though. 

TrevA wrote:

Theres a traffic offence being committed here. Driving and stopping in a bus lane. It's a peak hours bus lane from 7.30 to 9.30 and this incident took place at 8.45am.

 

Probably also driving without due care and attention as well.

john.berry wrote:

That looked quite tame....

This happened to me about a year ago, Wiltshire police did 'investigate' but ultimately did nothing as I could not identify who was driving the car the white van almost had a head on with!

https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=BVol8PH432E

Al I really wanted was for the van driver to be talked to....That didnt even happen

I am sure a quick knock on the door and a firm chat may safe lives and prevent pointless deaths...

Vid link doesn't work for me... anyone else? edit: try this: https://youtu.be/BVol8PH432E

That truly is awful driving too. I can't tell from that whether you had to take evasive action to avoid being hit there or not (quite possibly!) but that's the thing that makes the one in the article just as worthy of being followed up.

The response you got really sucks and I'd make a fuss on twitter etc about it too.

TrevA wrote:

Its also less than a mile from where the guy with a Fly 6 got rear ended and the police couldnt charge the driver because  they didn't know if it was him or his wife driving.

I'd love there to be a change in the law where passengers and vehicle owners became guilty by association - like in other aspects of criminal law.  That way those parties either accept an equal part of the blame or shop the driver. 

drosco wrote:

This sort of thing happens every day, is this really something the police need to deal with? Sure, the driving wasn't great, but I can understand why they wouldn't be keen to spend resources dealing with it in the greater scheme of things.

If you don't think driving like this should be sanctioned, perhaps you like going to funerals?  The point being that if this driver isn't informed that their driving is dangerous, they will just carry on doing it until they kill someone.  Every incident like this should be reported and the driver punished accordingly.

burtthebike wrote:

drosco wrote:

This sort of thing happens every day, is this really something the police need to deal with? Sure, the driving wasn't great, but I can understand why they wouldn't be keen to spend resources dealing with it in the greater scheme of things.

If you don't think driving like this should be sanctioned, perhaps you like going to funerals?  

Slightly hysterical?

I commute 20 miles a day, every day. I see at least a dozen people on mobiles, people chucking litter out of cars, drivers ignoring lights, drivers making manouvers without signalling, drivers in bus lanes, other cyclists riding pavements. If I were to film and report everything that was officially an offence, I'd spend my time doing nothing else and I'm not sure the police would thank me for doing so.

Yes, if there's a genuine danger to people then report it, but I can understand why incidents like the above get short shrift. To me, it was a driver being a bit careless with their mirrors and a rider being aware enough to anticipate it. Give the driver a mouthful and move on.  

drosco wrote:

burtthebike wrote:

drosco wrote:

This sort of thing happens every day, is this really something the police need to deal with? Sure, the driving wasn't great, but I can understand why they wouldn't be keen to spend resources dealing with it in the greater scheme of things.

If you don't think driving like this should be sanctioned, perhaps you like going to funerals?  

 

Slightly hysterical?

 

I commute 20 miles a day, every day. I see at least a dozen people on mobiles, people chucking litter out of cars, drivers ignoring lights, drivers making manouvers without signalling, drivers in bus lanes, other cyclists riding pavements. If I were to film and report everything that was officially an offence, I'd spend my time doing nothing else and I'm not sure the police would thank me for doing so.

 

Yes, if there's a genuine danger to people then report it, but I can understand why incidents like the above get short shrift. To me, it was a driver being a bit careless with their mirrors and a rider being aware enough to anticipate it. Give the driver a mouthful and move on.  

Well sort of, but those things that you cite are illegal, and some of them are dangerous, and just because they're appallingly frequent doesn't make them less illegal or dangerous.

drosco wrote:

This sort of thing happens every day, is this really something the police need to deal with? Sure, the driving wasn't great, but I can understand why they wouldn't be keen to spend resources dealing with it in the greater scheme of things.

For a first offence I'd be happy if the cops were to just send out a letter saying, in a few words: We've seen you, we've got your number and if you ever come to our attention again we'll take this incident into consideration and throw the book at you.

This wouldn't cost a great deal and just could make the driver think twice.

drosco wrote:

This sort of thing happens every day, is this really something the police need to deal with? Sure, the driving wasn't great, but I can understand why they wouldn't be keen to spend resources dealing with it in the greater scheme of things.

murders and Rape. Tsk. Happen every day. Not worth police time.......

spacedyemeerkat wrote:

You know, I watched the video and thought, "didn't look that bad to me". Which is such a sad indictment on what I, as a cyclist, have become accustomed to.

Out of interest, have you ever used a wide-angle camera? If so you'd surely know that this was actually incredibly close. The cyclist is quite correct to have say that if he had not braked sharply then he would have been knocked right off his bike.

As for the police moaning about "matters of life and death" on the 101 line - the way I see it, that is exactly what this was - a near miss that could have killed someone.

The driving was appalling and the driver ought to be pulled up on it.

If Nottingham Police don't want to have their 101 lines taken up with this kind of stuff, perhaps they should implement something like www.operationcrackdown.org which allow Sussex Police to issue educational letters on the basis of reports (with or without video or photos - they do actually watch the videos though, based on view count on unlisted youtube videos) from members of the public. It helps me stay calm when suffering the results of bad driving to know that at least they will be hearing from the police. They do also further investigate the worst cases. Can I suggest everyone emails their PCC and tweet their police force, asking them to implement something similar in their area?

DaveE128 wrote:

spacedyemeerkat wrote:

You know, I watched the video and thought, "didn't look that bad to me". Which is such a sad indictment on what I, as a cyclist, have become accustomed to.

Out of interest, have you ever used a wide-angle camera? If so you'd surely know that this was actually incredibly close.

Yes, every single ride. 

My point was that the sheer number of close passes I'm subjected to each week has dulled my sense of what constitues a close pass. And that's a terribly sad state of affairs.

spacedyemeerkat wrote:

DaveE128 wrote:

spacedyemeerkat wrote:

You know, I watched the video and thought, "didn't look that bad to me". Which is such a sad indictment on what I, as a cyclist, have become accustomed to.

Out of interest, have you ever used a wide-angle camera? If so you'd surely know that this was actually incredibly close.

 

Yes, every single ride. 

My point was that the sheer number of close passes I'm subjected to each week has dulled my sense of what constitues a close pass. And that's a terribly sad state of affairs.

Understand what you're saying, but this isn't a close pass. This is a collision averted by evasive action on the part of the cyclist, and caused by driving that is wrong in several different respects.

DaveE128 wrote:

As for the police moaning about "matters of life and death" on the 101 line - the way I see it, that is exactly what this was - a near miss that could have killed someone.

 

Makes me laugh they quoted this as 101 is not for life and death, that is what 999 is for!

DaveE128 wrote:

spacedyemeerkat wrote:

You know, I watched the video and thought, "didn't look that bad to me". Which is such a sad indictment on what I, as a cyclist, have become accustomed to.

Out of interest, have you ever used a wide-angle camera? If so you'd surely know that this was actually incredibly close. The cyclist is quite correct to have say that if he had not braked sharply then he would have been knocked right off his bike.

As for the police moaning about "matters of life and death" on the 101 line - the way I see it, that is exactly what this was - a near miss that could have killed someone.

The driving was appalling and the driver ought to be pulled up on it.

If Nottingham Police don't want to have their 101 lines taken up with this kind of stuff, perhaps they should implement something like www.operationcrackdown.org which allow Sussex Police to issue educational letters on the basis of reports (with or without video or photos - they do actually watch the videos though, based on view count on unlisted youtube videos) from members of the public. It helps me stay calm when suffering the results of bad driving to know that at least they will be hearing from the police. They do also further investigate the worst cases. Can I suggest everyone emails their PCC and tweet their police force, asking them to implement something similar in their area?

Great post. Sadly I have had worse than this particular incident (I am the cyclist in this story) quite aside from the really spectacular one Trev mentioned. But I was motivated to report it to see if Notts Police attitude had budged since I got a similar response a year or so ago. I have been raising awareness of Operation Crackdown to them over these past few months. 

The really bad crash involved me crashing into the drivers' door of a car that pulled out right in front me 2005. I hit it at 29.3 mph and somersaulted (several times apparently) over the roof of the car. I recall the noise of it and I was convinced I was going to die. I found myself lying on the road on the other side of the car. I sat up, saw my limbs were still pointing in the right direction, and picked myself up. The crowd that had gathered looked at me with their collective jaws dropped. If I'd have had footage of that it really would have made you all wince!

I then looked around for my bike (collection of bits really). The forks had snapped inside the headset and the front wheel was pushed back to split my chainring. Cables had snapped and I never did recover my headset from the road. I got a new bike through BC insurance - please get it (or similar) if you don't already. I got a little bit of money for treatment for my injuries and other costs  

I didn't break any bones but had tendon damage and issues with my back and hand for a couple of years. I was knocked off twice more that year (including in a club 10) Zak was killed a few months later and after bouncing back in 2006 I did question what I was doing and retired (not just because of the crashes). 

So when I do sometimes chose this route (the main alternative isn't really any better) I keep my wits about me and cover the brakes. Usually cars cut into the bus lane right at the end and I wasn't expecting this manoeuvre. But I could at least react quite quickly and it wasn't as close as it would otherwise have been. 

simonmb wrote:

I think we have to be realistic and acknowledge that these things happen to both cyclists and motorists every day. We'd need a whole new constabulary set up if everyone with a camera on their bike or in their car was going to have every incident recorded addressed. Social media puts pressure on the police to follow up those few cases that get highlighted - such as this one. For sure, it won't have been the worst example of driving to have been witnessed on that day. At the very least the driver should be ticketed for the obvious offences committed.

I don't see why traffic offenses can't be self-funding. For every driver that's fined, surely a small part of that can go to funding the police resources used?

If I had anything to do with running that, I'd set up an online site to make it easy for people to upload video evidence along with their initial incident report. Then, some trainee (or less experienced) officer can review the video and make a decision on whether to fine the driver or not. If we can do automated tickets for speeding, then it shouldn't be too hard to fine drivers for other offences if there's decent video evidence.

hawkinspeter wrote:

simonmb wrote:

I think we have to be realistic and acknowledge that these things happen to both cyclists and motorists every day. We'd need a whole new constabulary set up if everyone with a camera on their bike or in their car was going to have every incident recorded addressed. Social media puts pressure on the police to follow up those few cases that get highlighted - such as this one. For sure, it won't have been the worst example of driving to have been witnessed on that day. At the very least the driver should be ticketed for the obvious offences committed.

I don't see why traffic offenses can't be self-funding. For every driver that's fined, surely a small part of that can go to funding the police resources used?

If I had anything to do with running that, I'd set up an online site to make it easy for people to upload video evidence along with their initial incident report. Then, some trainee (or less experienced) officer can review the video and make a decision on whether to fine the driver or not. If we can do automated tickets for speeding, then it shouldn't be too hard to fine drivers for other offences if there's decent video evidence.

Ticketing and fining people when they break the law doesn't stop reoffending. It's when behaviour becomes socially unacceptable that things change. (Look at drink / driving). What's needed is social education.

simonmb wrote:

hawkinspeter wrote:

simonmb wrote:

I think we have to be realistic and acknowledge that these things happen to both cyclists and motorists every day. We'd need a whole new constabulary set up if everyone with a camera on their bike or in their car was going to have every incident recorded addressed. Social media puts pressure on the police to follow up those few cases that get highlighted - such as this one. For sure, it won't have been the worst example of driving to have been witnessed on that day. At the very least the driver should be ticketed for the obvious offences committed.

I don't see why traffic offenses can't be self-funding. For every driver that's fined, surely a small part of that can go to funding the police resources used?

If I had anything to do with running that, I'd set up an online site to make it easy for people to upload video evidence along with their initial incident report. Then, some trainee (or less experienced) officer can review the video and make a decision on whether to fine the driver or not. If we can do automated tickets for speeding, then it shouldn't be too hard to fine drivers for other offences if there's decent video evidence.

Ticketing and fining people when they break the law doesn't stop reoffending. It's when behaviour becomes socially unacceptable that things change. (Look at drink / driving). What's needed is social education.

My memory of the tome is that it was both education and punishment. Certainly didn't make the problem worse that people knew they would suffer if caught.

hawkinspeter wrote:

I don't see why traffic offenses can't be self-funding.

Because then it becomes used as a revenue-raiser, usually to the detriment of other services.

Peowpeowpeowlasers wrote:

hawkinspeter wrote:

I don't see why traffic offenses can't be self-funding.

Because then it becomes used as a revenue-raiser, usually to the detriment of other services.

I've always thought this, all across devon there are traffic camera's none of which seem to be turned on, yet daily I see people speeding up and down in 20's and 30's and D&C police are sacking yet more police so there are virtually no police on the streets.

Turn the traffic cameras on fine motorists for speeding, send the money to fund more police.

Result

Lower speeds on the roads and more police to catch the robbers.

Perhaps I'm being naieve but I just fail to see why we can't use traffic camera fines to fund policing in a win win situation.

(Re the incident: dick move by the driver but a knock on the window and wanker sign would suffice, why seriously, why would you call 101 over that?)

SingleSpeed wrote:

Peowpeowpeowlasers wrote:

hawkinspeter wrote:

I don't see why traffic offenses can't be self-funding.

Because then it becomes used as a revenue-raiser, usually to the detriment of other services.

 

I've always thought this, all across devon there are traffic camera's none of which seem to be turned on, yet daily I see people speeding up and down in 20's and 30's and D&C police are sacking yet more police so there are virtually no police on the streets.

Turn the traffic cameras on fine motorists for speeding, send the money to fund more police.

 

Result

 

Lower speeds on the roads and more police to catch the robbers.

Perhaps I'm being naieve but I just fail to see why we can't use traffic camera fines to fund policing in a win win situation.

 

 

 

Problem is , is that the money goes to central government not the council who operate the speed camera hence why lots of councils turned off their speed cameras

simonmb wrote:

I think we have to be realistic and acknowledge that these things happen to both cyclists and motorists every day.

Except that when it happens to cyclists there's a much higher chance of serious injury compared to when two big metal boxes on wheels get a bit close to one another.