Official Close Pass Licencing response

[col]

Because if someone is arrested and charged, and pleads not guilty, there is a decent investigation of the evidence. The judge or jury don't just say "oh, well, if you say so, obviously you didn't do it".

This guy drove badly, but because he says he didn't they aren't following it up. That's not right. Especially when there is video evidence to the contrary.

You asked me if every crim who pleads guilty should get off? I asked you why you say that as it seemed like you were saying thats my view?

 

[Arch]

You asked me if every crim who pleads guilty should get off? I asked you why you say that as it seemed like you were saying thats my view?

Col, you're not making sense. I asked you something, and when you asked me why, I explained. What's the problem? I'm not making any assumptions about your view, I'm just trying to put an example to you. You seem reluctant to answer for some reason.

Do you think it's right if someone does something wrong and then gets away with it because they say they didn't and no one bothers to check up?

 

[classic33]

How about this piece. It seems it may not be a one off
http://triathlonscotland.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9742&sid=ed0fc2a3021c98e6a129f85a405b946d

 

[col]

Col, you're not making sense. I asked you something, and when you asked me why, I explained. What's the problem? I'm not making any assumptions about your view, I'm just trying to put an example to you. You seem reluctant to answer for some reason.

Do you think it's right if someone does something wrong and then gets away with it because they say they didn't and no one bothers to check up?

Again this seems out of character for you arch,of course i dont.

 

[tdr1nka]

Again I don't see that Mags was blocking an 'exit'(?) and was holding his space as conditions dictated.

Irrespective of whether the driver viewed Mags as an experienced cyclist or not he chose to overtake dangerously where it was his duty to hold back until he could overtake safely, no matter how irritating and pointless he thought Mag's road position.

A lot of drivers(especially 'professional' drivers)want cycles out of their way in the gutter or preferably off the roads altogether. It's only by bringing drivers like this to task that they might start to consider driving with a little more tolorance.

Arch, if it helps I think Col is talking in terms of crimes where no one has been hurt and no actual physical damage done.

 

[John the Monkey]

A lot of drivers(especially 'professional' drivers)want cycles out of their way in the gutter or preferably off the roads altogether. It's only by bringing drivers like this to task that they might start to consider driving with a little more tolorance.

Exactly.

If this country is serious about getting people using their bikes for getting to work, running little errands &c it's this that matters. Not fannying about with exemptions for bikes on one way streets or playing "hide the bike" with cyclepaths.

 

[hackbike 666]

A lot of drivers(especially 'professional' drivers)want cycles out of their way in the gutter or preferably off the roads altogether. It's only by bringing drivers like this to task that they might start to consider driving with a little more tolerance.

They won't get their wish.

 

[tdr1nka]

The main thing lacking on British roads is motoristss executing patience and empathy with other road users, which sadly is the last thing that speed limits, traffic calming and cycle lanes encourage in drivers.

My mind boggles when drivers get frustrated with learners and how after anything up to 3 years on a moped and some taxi drivers forget what it was like to be on two wheels in traffic.

 

[purplepolly]

I just think it seems that for what happened,which he was also to blame by blocking the exit and staying there,it turns into a very vindictive thing,

overtaking cyclists at the entrances to and exits from roundabouts isn't exactly a good idea. These places have the larges concentrations of diesel and oil spillages on UK roads making them dangerous enough for cyclists (and motorcyclists - see the recent thread). Imagine what would happen if a cyclist slips at the same time as a motorist is cutting it too close.

there was a pinch point immediately ahead casued by parked cars, from this point onwards there would have not been enough room for a car and bike

So what was he supposed to do instead in between having to take primary because of a hazard and a pinch point? Slow down as much as possible and pootle along in the gutter until he has to swing out into the path of traffic when he gets to the pinch point in order to allow the car to overtake?

Fact of the matter is, a driver with the slighest residual grain of common sense whatsoever wouldn't have overtaken in that place anyway, regardless of what position was taken by the cyclist

 

[col]

overtaking cyclists at the entrances to and exits from roundabouts isn't exactly a good idea. These places have the larges concentrations of diesel and oil spillages on UK roads making them dangerous enough for cyclists (and motorcyclists - see the recent thread). Imagine what would happen if a cyclist slips at the same time as a motorist is cutting it too close.

there was a pinch point immediately ahead casued by parked cars, from this point onwards there would have not been enough room for a car and bike

So what was he supposed to do instead in between having to take primary because of a hazard and a pinch point? Slow down as much as possible and pootle along in the gutter until he has to swing out into the path of traffic when he gets to the pinch point in order to allow the car to overtake?

Fact of the matter is, a driver with the slighest residual grain of common sense whatsoever wouldn't have overtaken in that place anyway, regardless of what position was taken by the cyclist

Your right,he would have been safely passed before the pinch point.Have you also noticed how a lot of what ifs,and in the gutter type things are mentioned in defence?I believe there are cyclists out there who dont block the road as they exit roundabuts,and give way for courtesy and safety reasons,even if it means losing a few seconds from their journey.

 

[hackbike 666]

This is going to go on forever.

 

[col]

This is going to go on forever.

Your probably right.

 

[Joseph]

Fact of the matter is, a driver with the slighest residual grain of common sense whatsoever wouldn't have overtaken in that place anyway, regardless of what position was taken by the cyclist

I'm not sure exactly what you meant, but given a slightly slow to average cyclist in secondary position in normal road conditions, that can be a good place to overtake, and one of the best on that road. (It's wide, there's no parked cars, good visibility, no pedestrians.) After that the road narrows and then there's a huge blindspot of a hill and you're in a highish foot traffic residential area.

On the icy day in the video, in the position mags was in, with oncoming traffic, it was a very dangerous move.

I definitely thinks mags needs to take it further. As others have commented, the driver may not yet appreciate that he made a mistake or that he should behave differently in the future, and the licensing authority do not appear to have done a good job of their "investigation".

 

[tdr1nka]

Your right,he would have been safely passed before the pinch point.Have you also noticed how a lot of what ifs,and in the gutter type things are mentioned in defence?I believe there are cyclists out there who dont block the road as they exit roundabuts,and give way for courtesy and safety reasons,even if it means losing a few seconds from their journey.

But in this instance being discussed there are some very clear reasons as to why Mags was entitled to hold his position.

There are very few genuine instances(in an urban environment)where a cyclist will hold up traffic for more than a few seconds.
It sends out a very bad message if cyclists feel they should have to give way to motorists over that of their own safety.

 

[col]

But in this instance being discussed there are some very clear reasons as to why Mags was entitled to hold his position.

There are very few genuine instances(in an urban environment)where a cyclist will hold up traffic for more than a few seconds.
It sends out a very bad message if cyclists feel they should have to give way to motorists over that of their own safety.

Thats the point isnt it? He would have been safer if he let this car go earlier,instead of blocking the way and the car diving for a space that wasnt there at the worst time?