Close pass... fractured fingers

[GrasB]

Though it was a group ride this is more a commuting post than a road ride post I feel.

Some idiot did a close pass on our group as we signalled right & caught the front riders hand with his A pillar, he didn't stop just slowed down shouted something then sped off. The rider was in pain but okay to complete sub-10 mile ride to hospital where x-rays reviled his little finger & ring finger have been fractured. There are 5 witnesses, the people I was riding with but no one independent, & a registration which matches with the cars description. The really annoying thing was this was a 2 lane section of road with only one car approaching from behind & not one of us was in the outside lane.

I have a feeling that I'm going to be investing in a few action cameras in the near future.

 

[lazyfatgit]

Nasty.

have you spoken to plod? they may follow up with a word even though theres no independant witness. driver may also have history.

 

[Armegatron]

Should it matter if the witnesses weren't cyclists? I had an incident today where I wish I'd had the camera on - only disadvantage with the Muvi is the lack of waterproofing so I took it off when it rained and forgot to put it back on for my outburst to a "you dont pay road tax" comment.

Hope the chaps fingers recover ok.

 

[GrasB]

Reported to the police, that's how we know the reg & car description match up. The police view is that the 5 witnesses are not independent as we were riding as a group.

 

[downfader]

Reported to the police, that's how we know the reg & car description match up. The police view is that the 5 witnesses are not independent as we were riding as a group.

Thats rediculous. Go to your local paper and tell them you all have a story.

Its odd really. If someone gets punched or shot at a wedding I'd bet they'd take it seriously

 

[lazyfatgit]

Do they record these incidents in case a pattern of behaviour appears?

Ive been lucky and the local police have been sympathetic on the couple of occasions I reported stuff.

 

[thomas]

Very, very nasty!!

Even if you aren't all impartial witnesses, surely the guy would be able to put a personal injury claim in with the guy's insurers? Even if for nothing else but to increase his premiums! If the guy's fingers got broken, it would suggest he was overtaking far too close anyway IMO....unless the driver starts to argue that the cyclist punched the car or something stupid.

I've had similar things on group rides...10 of you all signalling right, but the car behind starts to overtake. Obviously ten, outstretched right arms aren't hint enough to what we're planning on doing

As for the action camera....all right on a short ride. I don't bother with it on group rides as I think it is a little anti-social but also because it'd only last an hour and a half and not a full day of cycling.

 

[ComedyPilot]

That is an Injury Road Traffic Collision.

The driver did not stop and give details, the police should attend and deal with ALL such incidents.

Do not be fobbed off (whoever is the injured party) and if your complaint is not dealt with to your satisfaction make a complaint to the IPCC.

I bet it was a local officer as opposed to a traffic officer??

 

[GrasB]

Yes the incident has been recorded, a complaint made & the victim has a crime number. The police will be taking statements from us all at one point & out statements will go on record. The officer we dealt with at the hospital said they considered the incident as reported to be a serious one, clearly a minimum of failure to stop after an accident but went out of their way to say anymore than that.

downfader, it's not ridiculous, it's taking account for friends covering each others backs. Basically if anything gets to court any defence barrister worth their salt will pick up on that so it's better to say the witnesses aren't independent parties & while that does weaken the statement it avoids issues further down the line.

 

[downfader]

Yes the incident has been recorded, a complaint made & the victim has a crime number. The police will be taking statements from us all at one point & out statements will go on record. The officer we dealt with at the hospital said they considered the incident as reported to be a serious one, clearly a minimum of failure to stop after an accident but went out of their way to say anymore than that.

downfader, it's not ridiculous, it's taking account for friends covering each others backs. Basically if anything gets to court any defence barrister worth their salt will pick up on that so it's better to say the witnesses aren't independent parties & while that does weaken the statement it avoids issues further down the line.

I suppose thats fair enough.

If you all get kitted out in cams perhaps you could wangle a bulk deal btw. Muvis are cheap, but a couple of decent cams could help promote your club.

 

[hackbike 666]

Should it matter if the witnesses weren't cyclists? I had an incident today where I wish I'd had the camera on - only disadvantage with the Muvi is the lack of waterproofing so I took it off when it rained and forgot to put it back on for my outburst to a "you dont pay road tax" comment.

Hope the chaps fingers recover ok.

I've seen a case you can buy on ebay for the MUVI.

 

[GrasB]

I not in a club, we're friends who enjoy cycling & we go out on a sunday run. Some are in the Uni cycling club, two are from the Town & county club & others are visiting or short term post-docs who enjoy cycling.

 

[downfader]

I not in a club, we're friends who enjoy cycling & we go out on a sunday run. Some are in the Uni cycling club, two are from the Town & county club & others are visiting or short term post-docs who enjoy cycling.

Ahh right, I misread the OP.

 

[Black knight]

Disgraceful driving.
I also think is disgraceful behavior by the police. They could follow it up if they wanted to, independant witnesses or not.

I would consider making a claim against the drivers insurance company. Having the police and hospital reports would likely give a succesful claim, if anything just to make a point.

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

What's not independent about the cyclists who "happened to be on the same road behind you"?

Are they seriously saying that because you're all cyclists together that no-one is independent? (does the same happen for car drivers being witnesses for other car drivers?)