Incident statement for yesterday - is this OK?

[sabian92]

Morning all,

Basicially, had a bit of an incident yesterday - the statement describes it. I just wanted your opinions if it was OK or anything needed added.

Cheers.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I'm writing this complaint about an incident that happened yesterday (25th of July 2011) at approx. 10am, involving a council owned street sweeper. I was cycling at this location - http://bit.ly/q94XUZ - in the Dukesfield area of the Runcorn Old Town. I have been cycling for a number of months on and off as a commuter and I hold a full UK driving licence and have done so since 19/03/2010. I do not consider myself a fully experienced driver, however, I do consider myself very knowledgeable on the rules of the road.

At the time of the incident, I was cycling in the direction of the Runcorn-Widnes Bridge (approximately west) at around 15-20mph, in the primary position as the road was completely empty. I heard and saw the vehicle approach me from the left hand side (Waterloo Road). I covered my brakes (As I always do when I approach a junction) and expected the vehicle to stop. What actually entailed was the driver continued across my path without looking or slowing down and only saw me once he had completed his manoeuvre and I had stopped just where the corner turns into Waterloo Road, as if I hadn't I would have probably ended up underneath the vehicle.

The incident in question did not involve any physical contact between myself and the other vehicle, nor could I identify the driver as he was driving a left hand drive vehicle but the seriousness of the situation is not difficult to see if I had not stopped or had been travelling significantly faster (as I often do, I only wasn't as the road surface isn't optimum for travelling at 25-30mph on a bike as it is far too bumpy). My bike is fitted with lights, and regardless of the weather or time of day they are both on.

I understand why they are left hand drive, but that does not excuse not stopping or at least not looking. I do not have proof of the incident, but drivers of such vehicles need to be aware of the differences when driving a vehicle not designed to be used on the left hand side of the road.

I look forward to your response,

Andrew Williams.

 

[Jezston]

Seems clear, consistent and polite. Might be worth adding a physical description of the driver if you can give one.

 

[upsidedown]

I don't think the amount of time you've been driving or cycling is relevant, and don't expect the person reading it to know what primary road position is. Other than that it looks fine to me

 

[cloggsy]

What about the registration number of the street sweeper?

 

[Lurker]

Agree about primary position. Could instead say that you were cycling in accordance with National Standards cycle training.

 

[sabian92]

Seems clear, consistent and polite. Might be worth adding a physical description of the driver if you can give one.

Didn't really see him. He was on the wrong side of the cab (LHD) and higher up than me. I know he's got dark hair, that's it.

I don't think the amount of time you've been driving or cycling is relevant, and don't expect the person reading it to know what primary road position is. Other than that it looks fine to me

I used the statement template that's a sticky on here so I just followed that, don't suppose it hurts to have in. I'll add more in to explain what primary road position is too.

What about the registration number of the street sweeper?

Didn't get it - didn't think about it at the time.

 

[400bhp]

updated:


Dear Sir/Madam,

I'm writing this complaint about an incident that happened yesterday (25th of July 2011) at approx. 10am, involving a council owned street sweeper. I was cycling at this location - http://bit.ly/q94XUZ - along Mersey Road, in the Dukesfield area of the Runcorn Old Town.

At the time of the incident, I was cycling in the direction of the Runcorn-Widnes Bridge (approximately west) at around 15-20mph. I saw the vehicle in question coming along Waterloo Road and approaching the junction with Mersey Road. I covered my brakes (As I always do when I approach a junction) and expected the vehicle to stop. What actually entailed was the driver continued across my path without looking or slowing down and only saw me once he had completed his manoeuvre and I had stopped just where the corner turns into Waterloo Road, as if I hadn't I would have probably ended up underneath the vehicle.

The incident in question did not involve any physical contact between myself and the other vehicle, nor could I identify the driver as he was driving a left hand drive vehicle but the seriousness of the situation is not difficult to see if I had not stopped or had been travelling significantly faster (as I often do, I only wasn't as the road surface isn't optimum for travelling at 25-30mph on a bike as it is far too bumpy). My bike is fitted with lights, and regardless of the weather or time of day they are both on.

I understand why they are left hand drive, but that does not excuse not stopping or at least not looking. Drivers of such vehicles clearly need to be aware of the differences when driving a vehicle not designed to be used on the left hand side of the road.

I look forward to your response,

Andrew Williams.

 

[ACS]

May I suggest that you amend 'that happened yesterday (25th of July 2011) at approx. 10am'

to

that occured at approximately 10 am on 25 July 2011 on Mersey Road, involving a council owned street sweeper. I was cycling at this location - http://bit.ly/q94XUZ.

 

[ianrauk]

I would remove this.

(as I often do, I only wasn't as the road surface isn't optimum for travelling at 25-30mph on a bike as it is far too bumpy)


Not needed

 

[LCpl Boiled Egg]

I'd change "I'm writing this complaint about an incident... " to "I'm writing regarding an incident ..."

 

[doog]

what was the weather like, visibility, wet or dry road? How far were you from the junction when you first saw the vehicle, was your view of the vehicle obstructed ie was his of you?...was the road busy, do a lot of cyclists use it? were there any parked vehicles on your nearside, what action did you have to take to avoid a collision, how did you feel at the time (shaken etc), any witnesses, how do you feel now - i know you are not going to court but it makes good reading and sets the scene

What were you wearing, high viz? - nice bit about the lights being on- no excuse for him not seeing you.

Well done for riding defensively - if you hadnt you may be in hospital. Clearly the driver needs a rocket up his arris, hopefully your letter will do it.

 

[Flyingfox]

I'd change "I'm writing this complaint about an incident... " to "I'm writing regarding an incident ..."

I would change it to 'I am writing to inform you of an incident...'

Unless you are sending an email I would also leave out the 'http:/.....'

In the second paragraph 'and I had come to a halt just where the corner turns into Waterloo Road, if I had not managed to react so swiftly I envisage that I would have ended up underneath the vehicle.'

 

[sabian92]

Thanks very much for the advice and help guys - It's about to be e-mailed off now to the council.

I've taken all the little bits of advice into consideration and it now reads like this:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I'm writing regarding an incident that occurred at 10am on the 25[sup]th[/sup] of July 2011 on Mersey Road, involving a council owned street sweeper. I was cycling at this location - http://bit.ly/q94XUZ - in the Dukesfield area of the Runcorn Old Town. I have been cycling for a number of months on and off as a commuter and I hold a full UK driving licence and have done so since 19/03/2010. I do not consider myself a fully experienced driver, however, I do consider myself very knowledgeable on the rules of the road.

At the time of the incident, I was cycling in the direction of the Runcorn-Widnes Bridge (approximately west) at around 15-20mph, in the centre of the road as the road was completely empty. The road was dry with good visibility, and no cars were parked near the junction. I heard and saw the vehicle approach me from the left hand side (Waterloo Road). I covered my brakes (As I always do when I approach a junction) and expected the vehicle to stop – at this point I was around 20 feet from the junction. What actually entailed was the driver continued across my path and the Give Way markings without looking or slowing down, and only saw me once he had completed his manoeuvre. I had to perform an emergency stop, and stopped just where the corner turns into Waterloo Road, and if I hadn't I would have probably ended up underneath the vehicle.

The incident in question did not involve any physical contact between myself and the other vehicle, nor could I identify the driver as he was driving a left hand drive vehicle but the seriousness of the situation is not difficult to see if I had not stopped or had been travelling significantly faster. My bike is fitted with lights, both front and rear and regardless of the weather or time of day they are both on flash mode.

I understand why they are left hand drive, but that does not excuse not stopping or at least not looking. I do not have proof of the incident, but drivers of such vehicles need to be aware of the differences when driving a vehicle not designed to be used on the left hand side of the road.

I look forward to your response,

Andrew Williams.

 

[akb]

All very well written and the contribution of others makes sense; but from reading your initial letter, I am struggling what the purpose of the letter is? Is it to complain about the driver? Do you want anything in return?
If it was me reading this, I would have a read and then never look at the letter again as it is just the story of what happened without a real purpose.

Anil.

 

[LCpl Boiled Egg]

All very well written and the contribution of others makes sense; but from reading your initial letter, I am struggling what the purpose of the letter is? Is it to complain about the driver? Do you want anything in return?
If it was me reading this, I would have a read and then never look at the letter again as it is just the story of what happened without a real purpose.

Anil.

I disagree. In my opinion the purpose of the letter is to make the council aware of the actions of their employee, to prompt an investigation into the circumstances and hopefully to apologise to Andrew.

The person in charge of the street-sweeping team should be able to work out who was cleaning that street at that particular time and investigate the incident. Just because the letter-writer hasn't said "I want you to do x,y and z" doesn't mean the incident should be ignored.

(btw, you don't work for Runcorn Council do you? )