Successful prosecutions via helmet cam footage?

[The Hundredth Idiot]

Below is a post I put on both lfgss and bikeradar earlier today. One of the lfgss guys, Origamist, posted a response that "Benborp" and "Number 14" have had successful prosecutions using helmetcam film and are contactable via Cyclechat. If those two guys or any others have anything to add to the points below, I'd be happy to get a PM from you. Cheers!

I posted a few months ago (way back in the pages of this thread) about a run in I had had with a National Express coach. I had one of those eBay Muvi MD80 cameras on my handlebars so uploaded the footage to youtube, and sent a link to both National Express and roadsafelondon with a complaint about the driving. A nice, young, female civilian police person then came around and took down my particulars ...

This was back in the early summer and I never heard anything more - I assumed it had just fizzled out ... until yesterday. I get a call from a DCI in the traffic department of the Met who explained that, on the basis of the footage I provided (higher quality on DVD not just the youtube footage) the coach driver had pleaded guilty to driving without due care (I think it was), had got 3 points, a £150 fine plus lots of costs. As a "professional" driver, this is pretty serious and could lead to him losing his job. Good stuff, I thought, he'll take a bit more care around cyclists in the future.

Next bit is that the DCI asks if I would be prepared to be interviewed by someone from the BBC who is planning on doing a feature about this - i.e. cyclists using helmet/handlebar cams and successfully prosecuting dangerous drivers based on the footage. From speaking to the BBC chap (anything for my 15 mins), it seems that there are quite a few complaints from cyclists using helmet cam footage, but surprisingly few successful prosecutions. If any of you out there have successfully used cam footage to to secure a conviction against some dangerous/inconsiderate driving, would you send me a PM? (Assuming, of course, that you're happy for me to pass the story to this guy at the Beeb.)

PS. Also posted on bikeradar as I know quite a few on there use helmet cams.

 

[As Easy As Riding A Bike]

Interesting stuff.

Hopefully now this is appearing on the media radar, the spotlight might be shone on the rather "variable" attitude the police and the CPS seem to have towards helmet camera footage.

 

[gaz]

*cough* i plea no prior knowledge to this

 

[benborp]

Oops! Sorry, should have said at the time but I've sent you a PM Hundredth Idiot.

 

[thomas]

Could you send me a link to the YouTube video of the incident...would be interesting to see it! And well done on the result.

Let us know when it'll be on telly/iPlayer

 

[The Hundredth Idiot]

Got the PM, thanks.

I can't access youtube at work but do a search for "dangerous driving national express" and my video should come top of the list. Posting name is ZiggyRob. The incident happened on the Bricklayer's Arms roundabout in south London - I was heading south having ridden down Tower Bridge Road.

Cheers.

 

[magnatom]

That's impressive. The driving is certainly very poor, but that's the type of incident that I'd normally expect the police to just talk to the driver. Excellent though that they are taking a harder line!

Like gaz, I may have some prior knowledge about the BBC contact!


P.S. Hello again everyone. I've not been on here recently, for a number of reasons. Anyway I'm back (and then of again next week! )

 

[subaqua]

welldone on the prosecution. that is shocking driving from a proffesional.

might have to look into a helmet cam . how to hide the cost from SWMBO though

 

[turnout]

Blimey, that's seriously dodgy.

 

[crazy580]

welldone on the prosecution. that is shocking driving from a proffesional.

might have to look into a h

elmet cam . how to hide the cost from SWMBO though

A Veho Muvi costs around £50 on ebay and the MD80's are even cheaper. Just tell SWMBO it is essential cycling equipment