I really don't know what to say...

[BentMikey]

That was a terribly dangerous overtake and you are understandably angry, BUT, do you not think you took a risk going up the inside to remonstrate with the driver?

I thought that was chancing it a little too. I reckon I would have been very tempted to do exactly the same as Dave though.

 

[lit]

If you look back at the other thread, you'll see I felt pretty guilty shopping the driver to the police. It wasn't a nice feeling. One case running with the police is enough for me at the moment. I think her company will deal with it anyway. Yes I know there is a chance she would loose her job, but any sympathy with her went out the door when I say he reaction. She knew exactly what she was doing.

Fair enough, to be honest I wouldn't feel guilty about the oil tanker one.

Hope you have some more safer rides from now on.

 

[RRCC]

She knew exactly what she was doing.

Then it is assault, not dangerous, careless or bad driving, and needs to be reported to the police.

 

[magnatom]

Then it is assault, not dangerous, careless or bad driving, and needs to be reported to the police.

The problem is I know how difficult it was at first to get the police to take me seriously with the tanker (I can't say any more on that, I'm afraid), and that is a much more obvious situation. I know for a fact that the best that would happen with this would be a chat from the police. To First, I know they will take this seriously, so I think that is the best route to take.

 

[swee'pea99]

I didn't understand your 'guilt' in relation to the earlier incident, and I understand it no better now.

TBH, at the risk of adding to your stress, I think you have a positive *duty* to report this kind of driving and cause the person responsible as much grief as possible. To me it looks really simple: the more people like that get the idea they can do this stuff with impunity, the more it's likely to happen. The more word gets round 'bully people with your big vehicle and you'll lose your license/job', the less it's likely to happen.

Why in the world should you feel 'guilty'? These people damn near killed you, and easily could have killed someone who lacked your nerve and control. Shopping them is no grounds for guilt. It's your duty to the rest of the community.

(And if the police need persuading to 'take seriously' a homicidal psycopathic bully, then they need 'persuading' into line. That's their bleedin' job! And if they fail to do it, I'd see if my MP can persuade them to.)

 

[BentMikey]

I do think Origamist is right - you were only in secondary and left the door open for that overtake. Of course that has no relevance to the bus driver's appalling attitude and driving, but it might have prevented the overtake. At least it was a strongish secondary and left room for you to duck left.

 

[BentMikey]

It really is a shame, I'm really enjoying my commuting at the moment apart from these moments of madness. I really wish there was something that could be done to prevent this type of driving. It just isn't acceptable. There needs to be a big change on our roads. If only there was something that could make a difference...

Mate, you and every other youtubing and complaining cyclist is doing a huge amount. That sort of thing will have a massive effect on driving, helmet cameras are an incredible force for change for us cyclists. People are seeing that there are consequences to their own bad and careless driving, and that vulnerable road users need protection. 10 years of this will see a sea change in drivers attitudes, IMO.

 

[magnatom]

as much grief as possible[/I]. To me it looks really simple: the more people like that get the idea they can do this stuff with impunity, the more it's likely to happen. The more word gets round 'bully people with your big vehicle and you'll lose your license/job', the less it's likely to happen.

Why in the world should you feel 'guilty'? These people damn near killed you, and easily could have killed someone who lacked your nerve and control. Shopping them is no grounds for guilt. It's your duty to the rest of the community.

(And if the police need persuading to 'take seriously' a homicidal psycopathic bully, then they need 'persuading' into line. That's their bleedin' job! And if they fail to do it, I'd see if my MP can persuade them to.)

That all sounds good on paper, and in theory I agree with this. However, the guilt springs from the knowledge that your actions can have profound effects on someone else life. Yes, I know their driving can have a profound effect on my life and others, however, it still doesn't make it easy to make that decision to change theirs.

Add to this the fact that I am not anonymous. I have to take into account the effect of pursuing drivers like this, whilst taking into account how the less scrupulous people who, are anti me and cyclists in general, might react towards me and my family.

Anyway, having dealt with First Glasgow before, I trust them to take appropriate action, whatever that may be. At the very least, I'd be surprised if she was allowed to drive a bendy bus again....

 

[Debian]

as much grief as possible[/I]. To me it looks really simple: the more people like that get the idea they can do this stuff with impunity, the more it's likely to happen. The more word gets round 'bully people with your big vehicle and you'll lose your license/job', the less it's likely to happen.

Why in the world should you feel 'guilty'? These people damn near killed you, and easily could have killed someone who lacked your nerve and control. Shopping them is no grounds for guilt. It's your duty to the rest of the community.

(And if the police need persuading to 'take seriously' a homicidal psycopathic bully, then they need 'persuading' into line. That's their bleedin' job! And if they fail to do it, I'd see if my MP can persuade them to.)

+1, in theory, but.....

That all sounds good on paper, and in theory I agree with this. However, the guilt springs from the knowledge that your actions can have profound effects on someone else life. Yes, I know their driving can have a profound effect on my life and others, however, it still doesn't make it easy to make that decision to change theirs.

Add to this the fact that I am not anonymous. I have to take into account the effect of pursuing drivers like this, whilst taking into account how the less scrupulous people who, are anti me and cyclists in general, might react towards me and my family.

Anyway, having dealt with First Glasgow before, I trust them to take appropriate action, whatever that may be. At the very least, I'd be surprised if she was allowed to drive a bendy bus again....

I also agree with this, especially the boldened bit.

I had an incident recently, not cycling related but a road rage incident that resulted in me being assaulted and my car damaged. This has gone to the police and the case is proceeding but I was and am aware that I too am not anonymous and that it's easy for someone to get hold of my address.

 

[swee'pea99]

Fair enough. I do take your point. In the same vein, I'm less 'assertive' than I might be sometimes, simply on account of commuting the same route every day. Theory, as you say, is all well and good - but it's no defense against a scumbag with a grudge in control of one and a half tons of metal...

 

[Amanda P]

the guilt springs from the knowledge that your actions can have profound effects on someone else life. Yes, I know their driving can have a profound effect on my life and others, however, it still doesn't make it easy to make that decision to change theirs.

With respect Mags, it's not your decision. The driver already made that decision on each occasion when they decided not to bother driving sensibly.

We could argue that if you don't shop them, it's a matter of time until someone does, they get caught or they kill someone. Either way, their life is going to change, and probably needs to.

Having said all of that, you of course are the best judge of your own course of action. At the very least, we have all learned something from your experience.

 

[magnatom]

With respect Mags, it's not your decision. The driver already made that decision on each occasion when they decided not to bother driving sensibly.

We could argue that if you don't shop them, it's a matter of time until someone does, they get caught or they kill someone. Either way, their life is going to change, and probably needs to.

Having said all of that, you of course are the best judge of your own course of action. At the very least, we have all learned something from your experience.

I honestly think First bus will deal with this vigorously. It is entirely possible (although I'm not necessarily saying I want this) that the driver could loose her job. She might not, but I'm pretty sure at the very least she will get retraining. Whatever she gets, I'm sure it will make her rethink her attitude.

 

[Happiness Stan]

I won't be taking this to the police. I felt guilty enough after the last one and that really did come close to taking my life.

However, I certainly will be taking it to First.

Then why film it then?

 

[magnatom]

Then why film it then?

I think I have covered this numerous times in the past why I film my rides. It's probably somewhere in my blog as well (which I need to update!).

However, for this particular incident the reasoning is simple. I take the film to First, they look at it, and deal with the behaviour. Simple.

 

[BentMikey]

More interestingly, Crankarm, why do you think he's having a tough time of it at the moment?

Not wanting to answer this one, Crankarm?