CPS are idiots

[Peowpeowpeowlasers]

It isn't fine. I just don't think it's as serious as you do. The train had gone and the barrier was on it's way up. He was an impatient prat, but I'd just shake my head and move on.

This is exactly the kind of driver that needs to be brought to task. Pulls in alongside me at a turn, drives on the wrong side of the road at that turn, speeds down a 30mph wet road at night (lined with pedestrians in the centre), stops half way over a STOP line, ignores level crossing barriers, ignores the flashing red lights.

There's nothing fine about any of that and anyone who says there is should be ashamed of themselves. Driving without due care and attention isn't something that should be brushed off.

 

[Andy_R]

hmmm.....barriers were on way up so no train coming. Yes, the driver was a bit impatient but really, was it such a big issue? Move along, nothing to see here..............

 

[BentMikey]

I think I'm with pppLasers. That is the sort of driver that is likely to kill or injure people. It's obvious from the bad driving and impatient attitude, and there are just too many warning signs there. Perfect person for the PoPo to pull over and take a closer look at.

 

[Octet]

Why on earth would you waste your time with this? It's like the boy who cried Cookie Monster. The next time you actually have something to complain about they will do a half-assed job

Did someone mention Cookie Monster?

Again, I personally see nothing wrong with it... if he had tried to go through when they where closing then obviously yes but as they where opening then the worst I can see as happening is him hitting one with the roof of his car as it hadn't fully opened.

 

[trampyjoe]

[Laws RTA 1988 sect 36, TSRGD 2002 reg 17(5)]

293 Controlled crossings. Most crossings have traffic light signals with a steady amber light, twin flashing red stop lights and an audible alarm for pedestrians.
They may have full, half or no barriers.

• you MUST always obey the flashing red stop lights
• you MUST stop behind the white line across the road

• keep going if you have already crossed the white line when the amber light comes on
• do not reverse onto or over a controlled crossing
• you MUST wait if a train goes by and the red lights continue to flash. This means another train will be passing soon
• only cross when the lights go off and barriers open
• never zig-zag around half-barriers, they lower automatically because a train is approaching
• at crossings where there are no barriers, a train is approaching when the lights show

 

[4F]

What a complete waste of time. Thank goodness someone in the CPS had some common sense. Typical helmet camera warrior making a mountain out of a molehill.

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

I'd probably be more worried being a train driver if I had seen a car jump the barriers,Star Lane/Waterloo crossings down the Reading Road being a prime example of this.Star Lane was made full barriers after an accident there about ten year ago.Doubt if the train driver would see that unless there was another train stopped at a station.But he wouldn't be able to proceed anyway until the barriers were lowered again.

Sorry.

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

Call that a train?

No.I call it the barriers being raised,job done?

Technically he is right though,you are supposed to wait for the lights to stop,but who does?

 

[GrasB]

This thread shows why the CPS are so reluctant to prosecute for dangerous driving even after there's a RTC. Because the general public, the peers that will make up the jury, see driving like this as perfectly acceptable. Then people complain about close passes & lack of respect for cyclists on the road. Hey guys, you're part of the problem. You're helping to make inattentive driving & a high level of risk taking acceptable!

From my point of view this video is disturbing not because there's an extreme case of bad driving in it. Rather it's disturbing due to the fact it documents a number of high risk/inattentive manoeuvres in less than ideal situations in a very small window of opertunity.

1. An improperly sighted overtake near a junction.
2. Driving at excessive speed in potentially slippery conditions.
3. The inability to stop before a solid line on the road correctly.
4. Impatience in following road signs & signals.
5. A second case of driving at excessive speed in potentially slippery conditions.

Nothing major on their own but together show a systematic breakdown in this drivers judgment & risk analysis.

 

[SportMonkey]

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymkljzbeio4&feature=plcp


Despite taking a lengthy statement from me, having me complete all kinds of documents, burning a DVD, etc - the CPS today dropped the case against this motorist, because apparently the number plate isn't legible. I was due to go to court this Monday.

Never mind that I read the number plate aloud while on the bike, never mind that actually, it's perfectly visible. Never mind the fact that I don't have access to a police computer or a mind reading device. What a colossal waste of money.

Still, at least the driver will have been crapping his pants for a year, so there's always that. He probably won't do it again.

It's a shame, that plate isn't legible enough from that image. However we've got some tech at the office that should be able to sort that. If I'd known earlier we could have offered it. Any chance I can arrange getting a segment of the footage?

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

No gras,I don't see it as perfectly acceptable and get your points in relations to crap driving and driving behaviour.Always gets me that some of this driving is lack of care,bit like that bus driver pass this morning against me.

 

[Peowpeowpeowlasers]

Play the video in 720p, you can see the plate.

 

[Maz]

Was that Engine No.158828, Liverpool Lime St - M/cr Picc?
That's another one chalked off! Cheers

 

[Hip Priest]

The excuse that they can't see the plate is laughable. As for some other points above, there seems to be a black & white discussion going on. One side saying it's nothing, the other thinking it's worth going to court for. I think the truth lies somewhere in between.

 

[GrasB]

Nothing major on their own. So what was a successful prosecuton expected for?

A systematic breakdown in this drivers judgment & risk analysis? As in they're either accepting a high level of risk or do not understand the dangers that they're putting other people in.

No gras,I don't see it as perfectly acceptable and get your points in relations to crap driving and driving behaviour.Always gets me that some of this driving is lack of care,bit like that bus driver pass this morning against me.

I wasn't specifically addressing anyone in this thread per-se more the fact that there's a theme of "there's nothing wrong here" when clearly there is a problem with this drivers behaviour on the road.