My (almost) run in with the law

[BlackPanther]

One thing's for sure. If it was you pulling out so late on a bike cop he'd have pulled you up and given you a loooooong lecture. I'd be tempted to take my lap top to the station to show the desk 'Sarge' or 'Maam', and let them have a copy.

Is Desk Sarge/Maam right? Forgive me, my cop knowledge is limited to crap early 80s T.V. "We're the Sweeney, Son, and we've haven't had any dinner yet".

 

[Lurker]

Ah, I stand corrected then. Different to my force, all the motorcyclist are already confirmed Traffic Officers - i.e. advanced drivers.

No excuses for him then!

Not sure what the level of training of a police officer has to do with it - surely this would be an instant fail for ANYONE, if they had done this during their driving test?

 

[xpc316e]

One does expect high standards from Police drivers & riders, and rightly so. However, one cannot reasonably expect perfection from them. This rider made a mistake, a bad mistake, but no harm was done. Had the boot been on the other foot, the Police Officer would probably have given a verbal warning to the motorist. A prosecution for WDC would probably only follow an actual crash in these circumstances.

If the OP does report this, it is hardly likely to be 'in the public interest' to prosecute the Police rider. Although he did pull out in front of the cyclist, the cyclist was not forced to brake too hard as we can see his right hand raised in a 'WTF' gesture as the rider crosses his path. I'd put this incident down to experience, and hope that the Police rider has learnt a lesson.

 

[Dave W]

Not sure what the level of training of a police officer has to do with it - surely this would be an instant fail for ANYONE, if they had done this during their driving test?

Not really, the cyclist didn't have to slow down or alter course. Looks like the motorcyclist made good progress to me.

Now my flame proof coat is on and I'm going to hide.

 

[Canrider]

Interesting. I note the stopped rider is visibly checking L/R while waiting at the line as the cyclist passes (can see the helmet turn between frames). Obviously not clear what the 'straight on' rider was doing as the bicycle approached as the range is too great, but as has been said, if they looked then, they looked too early unless they were in hot pursuit. Definitely worth taking a copy in to see what they say!

 

[col]

The one that carried on pulling out never really stopped, maybe he was good enough to know he wouldnt effect the cyclist? The one that stopped had missed the window so waited till he passed?

 

[GrasB]

Though it wasn't a big problem for the cyclist it is disconcerting for the cyclist to have that happen to them. I personally wouldn't report this my self.

 

[col]

I dont see how it could be disconcerting, if I saw a pair of police bikes come from a juncion in front of me, and then another couple approaching, Id be watching for just what happened, I definitely wouldnt keep on pushing then wave at them for not effecting my direction or speed.

 

[GrasB]

He pulled out a little late to be comfortable really. Certainly at that distance & the speed I perceive the rider to be going at it feels tight in the video. If I was to pull out like that on my RoSPA exam it certainly wouldn't go down well at all & I'd expect to have it specifically brought up by the examining officer.

 

[col]

I disagree with it being uncomfortable in this instance. There was enough room so as not to make it what the cyclist seems too. In a test it may be mentioned, but in this case I dont see a problem with the police bike.

 

[Nebulous]

I'm not sure anyone is suggesting he be prosecuted. I would have felt uncomfortable with it.

Not that I've got a camera - but my approach would be submit it, make it unlisted and say. "this felt uncomfortable to me, I'd like you to bring my concern to the driver involved, and I'd also be interested in your view on the manoeuvre." That then puts the onus on the police to either apologise or explain it.

 

[G-Zero]

Why is it hard to believe?

IMO it's a leap too far and from memory, I believe it breaches guidelines, which advocate 3 years as a standard driver before moving on to advanced; and for very sound safety reasons.

 

[Peteaud]

One thing's for sure. If it was you pulling out so late on a bike cop he'd have pulled you up and given you a loooooong lecture.

Agreed. I would send them a copy and ask for a reply.

 

[BlackPanther]

I disagree with it being uncomfortable in this instance. There was enough room so as not to make it what the cyclist seems too. In a test it may be mentioned, but in this case I dont see a problem with the police bike.

As cyclists I'm sure we've all lost count of the amount of times people have pulled out in front of us. In this case, there wasn't any chance of a collision, but it was close enough to be scary. What if the 'offender' had started to pull out, then seen the cyclist and stopped causing the cyclist to brake hard, swerve and maybe fall off.......and slide into oncoming traffic? Unlikely, but this is the problem we face when people pull out. We have to assume that they will do the unpredictable, and plan accordingly which is what the majority of motorists don't understand. At the very least, the officer should be made to watch the video. He really really really should know better.

 

[GrasB]

I disagree with it being uncomfortable in this instance. There was enough room so as not to make it what the cyclist seems too. In a test it may be mentioned, but in this case I dont see a problem with the police bike.

Then you are too accepting of low standards. Anything that would be worthy of comment in a test is equally worthy of comment in real life.

I'd go further. Anything that's you think maybe worthy of comment in a test is bad driving & shouldn't be done on the road. As I said if I did that on a RoSPA exam then I'd expect the examining officer to specifically mention it on the drive review. I say this as a driver who hovers on the borderline between gold/silver standard RoSPA advanced driver. The driving standards RoSPA use are the same ones that the police use & as such I'd expect better from a police rider. This is not a bad error by the police rider in question, maybe a momentary lack of concentration, but certainly one which makes a (motor)bike rider uncomfortable when they are the subject of this error.