GrumpyGregry
Here for rides.
Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2010 10:48 AM
To: taxi licensing
Subject: complaint re taxi plate number xxx
Sir/Madam
This morning less than 15 minutes ago I was "cut up" by a silver saloon car bearing the Mid-Sussex Taxi plate number XXX.
I was riding my bicycle south up the hill on Perrymount Road. My bike had 4 illuminated rear lights and it was broad daylight. No question I was visible. A refuse collection lorry was stationary on the northbound side of the road just north of the Dolphin. I adopted a primary road position to prevent myself being squeezed into the southbound kerb by following vehicles. As I approached the roundabout I look behind and saw I was being followed by two cars, of which the silver car was second. I indicated that I intended to turn right at the mini roundabout.
As I was about to enter the roundabout in the centre of the right turn lane the silver car drew alongside me on my left less than 1ft from me. (The highway code recommends passing cyclists with a three foot gap!) I observed it was indicating a right turn. It was travelling only approx 5mph faster than me.
As we entered the roundabout the car began to turn towards/across my path as I was executing my right turn. This forced me to brake sharply to avoid a collision. I shouted "Watch out! What are you doing!" at which point, whilst still executing his own turn the driver removed his right hand from the wheel and clearly gestured a sign indicting that he thought me a tosser or self-gratification artist. One handed driving, nice one. I shouted "you idiot" and as he joined the A272 I had a clear unobscured view of his taxi license plate.
Abysmal, dangerous anti-social driving and an abusive attitude to other road users. What do you intend to do about it.
Greg
and the reply
Fri 19/11/2010 08:59
Thank you for your e-mail.
I have tried to make contact with you by telephone and have left a message on your answer phone.
With regard to the incident I have called the driver into the council offices and made him aware of your complaint. He informs me that he remembers the incident and states that he felt that he had allowed you enough room on the roundabout. He stated that he was aware of you shouting at him and he did wave at you but he denies that he gesticulated at you inferring that you were a self-gratification artist.
I have checked with Sussex Police and they have no record of the incident on their incident logs for the day in question.
The driver concerned was advised of the standards of driving and behaviour expected of him by the council and was informed that the complaint will be recorded on his personal record and should any further complaints be received about him then he could be looking at being placed before a licensing committee with a view to his licence being suspended or revoked.
With regard to the incident I would advise that you report the matter to Sussex Police via Operation Crackdown which is a system whereby members of the public can report incidents of bad or anti social driving. Details of the incident are recorded and should the same vehicle be reported a second time then the local police are notified and the driver is targeted. If the driver is a licensed taxi driver then the relevant authority is also informed. I have informed the driver concerned that I will be advising you to report this incident.
Operation Crackdown can be contacted by telephoning 01243 642222 or by e-mail at www.operationcrackdown.org.
already reported to Operation Crackdown but I'm happy with the outcome
To: taxi licensing
Subject: complaint re taxi plate number xxx
Sir/Madam
This morning less than 15 minutes ago I was "cut up" by a silver saloon car bearing the Mid-Sussex Taxi plate number XXX.
I was riding my bicycle south up the hill on Perrymount Road. My bike had 4 illuminated rear lights and it was broad daylight. No question I was visible. A refuse collection lorry was stationary on the northbound side of the road just north of the Dolphin. I adopted a primary road position to prevent myself being squeezed into the southbound kerb by following vehicles. As I approached the roundabout I look behind and saw I was being followed by two cars, of which the silver car was second. I indicated that I intended to turn right at the mini roundabout.
As I was about to enter the roundabout in the centre of the right turn lane the silver car drew alongside me on my left less than 1ft from me. (The highway code recommends passing cyclists with a three foot gap!) I observed it was indicating a right turn. It was travelling only approx 5mph faster than me.
As we entered the roundabout the car began to turn towards/across my path as I was executing my right turn. This forced me to brake sharply to avoid a collision. I shouted "Watch out! What are you doing!" at which point, whilst still executing his own turn the driver removed his right hand from the wheel and clearly gestured a sign indicting that he thought me a tosser or self-gratification artist. One handed driving, nice one. I shouted "you idiot" and as he joined the A272 I had a clear unobscured view of his taxi license plate.
Abysmal, dangerous anti-social driving and an abusive attitude to other road users. What do you intend to do about it.
Greg
and the reply
Fri 19/11/2010 08:59
Thank you for your e-mail.
I have tried to make contact with you by telephone and have left a message on your answer phone.
With regard to the incident I have called the driver into the council offices and made him aware of your complaint. He informs me that he remembers the incident and states that he felt that he had allowed you enough room on the roundabout. He stated that he was aware of you shouting at him and he did wave at you but he denies that he gesticulated at you inferring that you were a self-gratification artist.
I have checked with Sussex Police and they have no record of the incident on their incident logs for the day in question.
The driver concerned was advised of the standards of driving and behaviour expected of him by the council and was informed that the complaint will be recorded on his personal record and should any further complaints be received about him then he could be looking at being placed before a licensing committee with a view to his licence being suspended or revoked.
With regard to the incident I would advise that you report the matter to Sussex Police via Operation Crackdown which is a system whereby members of the public can report incidents of bad or anti social driving. Details of the incident are recorded and should the same vehicle be reported a second time then the local police are notified and the driver is targeted. If the driver is a licensed taxi driver then the relevant authority is also informed. I have informed the driver concerned that I will be advising you to report this incident.
Operation Crackdown can be contacted by telephoning 01243 642222 or by e-mail at www.operationcrackdown.org.
already reported to Operation Crackdown but I'm happy with the outcome
