So Angry with Police

mountainofdebt

supersaver2 wrote: »

Perhaps if more people reported dangerous drivers to the police less cyclists would be knocked off their bikes and seriously injured. If this van driver was in the wrong he might kill somebody next time, seems very aggressive to get out your vehicle and start pushing people about!

But what do you about cyclists that are a danger to themselves and other road users?

During one CHARITY event I saw:

- numerous cyclists not wearing helmets

- weaving in and out of lined up traffic

-ignoring traffic signals such as red lights

- riding down the road,alongside said lined up traffic on the right hand side

- approaching a roundabout, on the left handside of the lane when they wanted to turn right so traffic literally had to cut across the line of cyclists.

Yes I did write to the charity and complain but got poo poo'd.

And yes, I would have happily got out the vehicle and hit one of them if they had started shouting at me.

Takeaway_Addict

OP unlikely to be back considering they have been told by most they are blowing it out of proportions

moneysniffer

baza52 wrote: »

Lets not forget that the OPs Husband was the FIRST one to shout abuse after the incident.
Perhaps the van driver should have called the police over the OPs Husband behaviour towards him.


If he had not shouted at the driver in the first place none of this would have happened.


We only have 1 side of the story.

If somebody nearly ran me over, I would flipping well be shouting at them too! Do you cycle often? If so, then you are very very lucky to have not feared for your life at one point or other, because some idiot driver didn't see you, or thinks they have more 'rights' to the road than you. Some drivers are so clueless they NEED to be shouted at, just so they notice that you're there! :mad: I'm not saying all cyclists are blameless, but a big moving metal box can do a hell of a lot more damage.

Anyway. He has my sympathy. I would also suggest a helmet cam, so he can catch the driver in the act. The police have prosecuted abusive and dangerous drivers based on helmet cam evidence, so please consider this option and don't let bad drivers push cyclists off the roads.

moneysniffer

meer53 wrote: »

The husband must have shouted quite a bit at the van driver for him to stop and get out of his van. They usually just drive off, completely ignorant to the fact they have nearly injured someone.

Two sides to the story. Without the other side, all this is pointless.

You'd be surprised. Having once nearly been crushed between a stationary car and a van, I frantically banged on the van's window and shouted "HEY!!!" at him, hoping he would move back over and NOT crush me. His response? To get out of his van and threaten to break my face. Charming fellow.

Tiddlywinks

turkolina wrote: »

So what we are trying to say is our country is now ruled by shouty bullying harassing threatening (because he did get out of his van and push my husband) imbeciles !!! At no part of this was my husband at fault.. He was dressed correctly and he had priority....

Then again today there was a witness..... This is harassment now !!! I don't go out of my way to search out the same person and verbally abuse them?? For too long people have had to let things go in this country and look where we are??

This is what my children are growing up into.. Bravo !!!! Well done the useless Police, thugs, junkies, thieves.. WELL DONE !!!

... and breathe!

Have you ever considered anger management therapy?

Seriously, it might help.

baza52

moneysniffer wrote: »

If somebody nearly ran me over, I would flipping well be shouting at them too! Do you cycle often? If so, then you are very very lucky to have not feared for your life at one point or other, because some idiot driver didn't see you, or thinks they have more 'rights' to the road than you. Some drivers are so clueless they NEED to be shouted at, just so they notice that you're there! :mad: I'm not saying all cyclists are blameless, but a big moving metal box can do a hell of a lot more damage.

Anyway. He has my sympathy. I would also suggest a helmet cam, so he can catch the driver in the act. The police have prosecuted abusive and dangerous drivers based on helmet cam evidence, so please consider this option and don't let bad drivers push cyclists off the roads.

Not been on a bike for 20 years since I worked as a postman and have only recently passed my driving test in case you wondered

We don't know who's fault it was, It could have been the van driver or it could have been the cyclist not positioning himself correctly (and safely)


I honestly think with all the deaths lately its time to make ALL adult cyclist's pass a test to show they know how to ride safely.
If hazard perception is essential in driving a car on a road it should be for a cyclist too.


In the short time I have been driving a huge percentage of cyclists I've seen on the road seem to be clueless about their surroundings.


I think a lot of cyclists think that once they have all the high viz gear and lights so they can be seen by motorists that they no longer have to look out for cars/busses/lorries around them.

Tygermoth

I swear there is nothing that will make me lose patience than someone shouting 'ism.

Currently I temp in a role where members of the general public are obliged to do something. They don't want to but they have to... kind of like jury duty. This is enforced and there is a financial penalty if they don't which they are made very aware of.

I swear every second call is accusing us of an 'ism because they didn't want to do it so don't bother to read all the paperwork from the authorities which very very clearly lay out their responsibilities and when they lose out money wise.. Suddenly everything is our fault.

The current favourite is 'dyslexia' meant they couldn't read the letter so they want paid out under the equality act... As a very severe dyslexic this irritates me no end.

Yesterday alone i was accused of being sexist (mum wanted to take all her kids along - men don't need child care so its sexist - her words) Religious persecution - it was because he was of an unorthodox religion so should not be expected to attend. Harassment - during the proceedings a lady decided to call her salon to arrange an eyebrow wax and was chastised by an official. Discrimination as we don't offer any leeway for students or the elderly everyone is treated exactly the same (ironically the very definition of non discriminatory)

I swear in all the calls I take only one in a thousand will put their hands up and admit they made a mistake. 90 percent will call 'ism and the rest blame Royal Mail lol

Oh a word to the OP - yesterday i had a man call up on behalf of his wife spitting feathers as his OH had been ejected from proceedings for using a mobile phone. He was raging and livid because she was unwell and just took the phone out to check the time for medication.

He was full of self righteous pomp and believing they were in the right was quite happy to viciously abuse me. Until i advised him that four other attendees has complained as his blameless OH had, during very serious proceedings, sneaked earphones in and was watching you tube videos of cats.

So don't always take what your other half says as gospel.

aileth

Tygermoth wrote: »

Oh a word to the OP - yesterday i had a man call up on behalf of his wife spitting feathers as his OH had been ejected from proceedings for using a mobile phone. He was raging and livid because she was unwell and just took the phone out to check the time for medication.

He was full of self righteous pomp and believing they were in the right was quite happy to viciously abuse me. Until i advised him that four other attendees has complained as his blameless OH had, during very serious proceedings, sneaked earphones in and was watching you tube videos of cats.

So don't always take what your other half says as gospel.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: Oh my god that is brilliant!!!

*Robin*

turkolina wrote: »

No my husband was turning right (he was first at the traffic lights) and the van was trying to push past him. There was nowhere for my husband to go.. Either under his wheels or towards the curb so therefore he fell into the curbside..

This comment is telling: A cyclist who wants to turn right at a junction controlled by traffic lights, should position him/her self on the right hand side of the road at the head of the queue of waiting vehicles, preferably extending their right arm to indicate intended action when the lights change.

As OP's husband must have been on the left hand side of the carriageway - in order to have avoided a collision by falling towards the curb - the van driver would have assumed that the cyclist either intended to turn left or continue straight ahead.

The story continues with OP's husband being aggressive and shouting at the driver, who was probably shocked by the cyclist's bizarre behaviour which had almost caused an accident.

It's hardly surprising the van driver tried to impress upon the cyclist exactly who was in the wrong on this occasion, although it was obviously not well handled.

I hope OP is still reading. If her DH changes his mind and decides to continue using his bike, a suitable xmas gift would be a cycling proficiency course - something all cyclists should undertake before setting out on public roads (personally think this ought to be mandatory, alongside insurance).

Yes, sometimes vehicle owners drive appallingly, but so do cyclists. Who is the most vulnerable? For that reason alone, it's up to cyclists to protect themselves as best they can. Knowing how to obey the Highway Code is really important.

Adrenalina

*Robin* wrote: »

I hope OP is still reading. If her DH changes his mind and decides to continue using his bike, a suitable xmas gift would be a cycling proficiency course - something all cyclists should undertake before setting out on public roads (personally think this ought to be mandatory, alongside insurance).

I agree 100%. I am both a car driver and a cyclist. Car drivers need to prove that they understand the rules of the road. Cyclists, as road users, should have to do the same.

I am really frightened by the majority of cyclists behaviour. I have yet to see one who keeps to lanes. At every junction on my commute, cyclists zoom ahead of stationary traffic in between lanes of cars or on my left hand side. It is not ok to cut up other road users, no matter how any wheels they're on. Unfortunately the bizarre policy of councils to put cycle "starting boxes" in front of traffic lights just encourages this dangerous practice.
And that's not even starting to talk about visibility...