Another good result from video reporting

[MrHappyCyclist]

I get more and more convinced that it really is worth reporting incidences of bad driving to companies, along with video evidence. After reporting this one to the company:

and sending this information:

It is likely that your driver will protest that, as he or she did not enter the cycle lane, there was nothing wrong with the driving. This should be met with a very robust response.

The highway code provides guidance on what constitutes safe practice when using the roads. Rule 163 of the Highway Code states: "Overtake only when it is safe and legal to do so. You should ... give motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car". There is an accompanying picture which shows clearly that this should be interpreted to mean that the distance between your vehicle and the kerb (or other obstacle) when passing a cyclist should be the same as when overtaking a car. Rules 212 and 213 explain the reasons for this. The presence of some paint on the road does not change this.

It is worth noting that, further along the same journey, I was hit by a gust of wind from the left that moved me about 18 inches to the right of my line. Had this happened when your driver overtook me, the consequences would have been dire.

I have received the following from a manager at the company:

I have spent some time reviewing the images you sent to us via E-mail, as the driver has returned to the depot he has also had an opportunity to review the images with him also.

As you stated in your second E-mail the driver has an obligation to leave enough space for a safe overtaking manoeuvre and while it is clear from the images that enough space was not left, the driver should have seen the hazard in advance and timed his closure speed so he could pull out and leave space at the appropriate place on the road. (After the centreline bollards)

The driver has asked if he could contact you personally to apologise for the incident, initially the driver thought he did leave enough space however having seen the images from your perspective he has changed his opinion and he would like to say so personally to yourself.

For that reason if you are happy to speak to the driver personally the driver would like to phone you to apologise if you could supply a contact number for him.

I said I don't really need him to phone, but did give my number anyway.
All of this happened within 24 hours of the incident. That's the kind of response I like to get from a company. Good one Bunzl Catering.

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

Full marks for making your complaint in a concise, measured and restrained fashion.

 

[Hip Priest]

Civilised behaviour from all concerned (original incident excepted) - nice one.

 

[cloggsy]

I'd be very reluctant to supply my telephone number to a company; queue the 'silly phone calls' etc.

I hope for your sake that this doesn't happen, if it does report it to the Police immediately!

 

[gaz]

A day isn't bad! Took the cops nearly 8 months to get my latest result.

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

A day isn't bad! Took the cops nearly 8 months to get my latest result.

Yes, but that was an exceptionally good result. And, as they say, revenge is a dish best served cold.

 

[BSRU]

That is a good response especially as the driver realised, after seeing your video, that they were too close.

 

[benb]

That is a good response especially as the driver realised, after seeing your video, that they were too close.

Before I was a keen cyclist I overtook cyclists with what I thought was enough room. It's only since becoming a cyclist that I now know that I was too close. Being a cyclist has certainly made me a better driver. I'm sure that many drivers don't overtake closely deliberately, but they think they are leaving enough room.

IMO, there is a woeful lack of education during driver training that you need to leave enough room for the cyclist to unexpectedly fall off.

It's great that the driver in the OP has realised this, and will hopefully now leave cyclists more room.
I think that more emphasis needs to be put in the driving test about how to behave round vulnerable road users.

 

[Alien8]

Nice!

Now all you need to do is to get your local highway authority to remove the cycle-lane - job done.

 

[Jezston]

Nice!

Now all you need to do is to get your local highway authority to remove the cycle-lane - job done.

Or at least make it wider than 2 feet!

Fantastic result MHC - great they told you exactly what happened, and that the driver totally accepted they were in the wrong. Much better than a generic "we take this seriously but due to data protection won't tell you anything more goodbye", and much more positive all round than a "driver said he did nothing wrong so we've suspended him".

I think i'll refer to this vid and the outcome next time people start rubbishing helmet cam users.

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

Now all you need to do is to get your local highway authority to remove the cycle-lane - job done.

Yes. I am sure that if the cycle lane weren't there, I'd be more inclined to claim the lane at that point.

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

Much better than a generic "we take this seriously but due to data protection won't tell you anything more goodbye"

Interesting you should say that. In their reply to my original message, which was very brief, they said:

Thank you for your email. Your complaint is now being investigated by the company.
The driver will be given an opportunity to provide his explanation of the given circumstances during a full investigation with the transport management team.
Bunzl takes great pride in its driver training and apologises in advance for any concerns the driver has given you. The results of the investigation however must remain confidential between the driver and the company.

My reply, which included the bit about highway code rules, started off:

Thank you for your prompt reply and assurances; that is appreciated.
Whilst I am not convinced of the need for secrecy, I realise that it is your company's prerogative. However, since I will not have an opportunity to discuss the driver's response, please allow me to offer the arguments in advance. [etc.]

The message that contained the apology, etc. came from a manager at the parent company.