Report phone drivers?

[BentMikey]

I'm in a bit of a quandary over two recent videos. Both had drivers on the phone, and yet both drivers were really rather well behaved around me. The second, not uploaded yet, was particularly good at allowing me space to come out of the bus lane due to parked cars, holding back nicely.

I feel like I should report them, but on the other hand it might be making things worse for future cyclists they driver around, and it does seem rather ungrateful.

What do you guys think?

 

[the snail]

I'd rather point out the error of their ways at the time than report them, but otoh they may cause much worse problems for cyclists/other road users if they persist with using their phones.

 

[gaz]

It's a tricky one. I don't report every piece of bad driving i see, perhaps just let these ones fly?

 

[BentMikey]

Here's the one. I've not edited or uploaded the other yet.


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya495h6b0ZY

 

[BSRU]

If it was a drunk driver would you have any doubts about reporting it, since being on a mobile while driving is considered more dangerous than driving after two or three pints.

 

[nightoff]

Tough call.

I've never reported bad driving before. I usually just signal to the driver my dissapproval (by what ever is the most appropriate hand signal at the time) but then I don't own a camera to provide evidence.

I suppose it depends why you have a camera. If it is to try and highlight bad driving on a crusade to raise awareness then I would report it. If it is just as a tool to provide proof of liability in an accident then I would let it slide.

 

[Jezston]

I think it's worth having this discussion with the police - I'd imagine if the drivers received a polite letter from the old bill stating they know they've been at it then i suspect they'll think twice about doing it in the future without bearing a grudge against anyone for it.

 

[400bhp]

When I read it before looking at the vid I thought why bother.

Then I looked at the vid - he's driving a feck off big white van AND he has children on board. I'm astounded that parents would do this

Do you know the kiddie was taking pics of you? (camera could have had no "film" in it as it were)

 

[BentMikey]

Oh, I don't think the middle one is a kid, I think it's another adult builder/whatever from what I remember seeing. Yeah, they were filming/taking pics from back on Vauxhall Bridge too, I get this all the time on the recumbent.

I think I'm not going to report it. As bad as mobile phone usage is, I don't want to reward their otherwise good driving and courtesy towards a cyclist by reporting it.

 

[BentMikey]

p.s. that decision actually surprises me, I'm normally well judgemental of phone use.

 

[fossyant]

I see loads of it - I'd only really report someone who'd nearly caused me/someone an accident. It's not right, but there is that much of it going on. I've only ever reported two drivers to the police, but that was aggression towards me for no reason. I've also only reported one driver to his employers about his poor driving - I had spoken to the driver, who sort of apologised.

Too much of it about - best save it for the serious issues ! Good call.

 

[BentMikey]

Ah, it's not quite like that here - I'd just have used Roadsafe. Takes 5 minutes to report it online, and it usually results in just a letter to the registered owner.

 

[fossyant]

Ah we don't have anything like Roadsafe up here. Thought you meant the 'bizzies' (as they say 30 miles <---- that way)

 

[Vikeonabike]

Report it, let the "bizzies" make the decision. The fact that he would have to take his hand from the steering wheel to change gear and doning so not being in control of his vehicle, had his arm across his face, stopping him from being able to look around for danger is enough. If it wan an important call, one of the other two could have made it!
I stopped someone yesterday, who was only too happy to accept his ticket for using his mobile whilst driving...the reason for that turned out to be two bags of cannabis in his pocket he didn't want me to find. A coppers nose and all that!

 

[Gandalf]

Has anyone actually received a response from a Roadsafe report other than the automated response?