The Cycling Lawyer - assaulted

[magnatom]

Martin has been in the wars recently!

This is very poor, especially if what Martin writes is accurate (and I have no reason to doubt it).

The time has definitely come for aggression on the road, especially against more 'vulnerable' road users is treated harshly. For far too long we have sat back and accepted our lot on the road.

This relates to some extent to my Police Liaison officer thread, we need a system that ensures that there is consistency and fairness across the county when dealing with road traffic incidents like these. We also need a directive from the top to 'encourage' the police/CPS/PF to take these matters more seriously.

Time to write to MP's/MSP's?

 

[Lizban]

There I was driving along when all of a sudden out of nowhere a man in a helmet and dark glasses starts banging on my car - I stop suddenly as I am panniced I'm not thinking straight.

I get out to protect myself and next thing I know another man is steaming towards me - now there was two of them I felt in danger so I pushed him a way from me.

I didn't punch or kick I pushed him away. I feared I was going to get beaten up by these mad men I was outnumbered.........

You can see why the caution is issued it is a 'result' a crime solved and no need for the costly trial.

Still saddened

 

[2Loose]

[QUOTE 1272406"]
I must say I'm happy out on the road - chilled and contented when turning the pedals. Having said that I do have a higher tolerance level then others and I like to forgive people because I believe that this is the pathway to heaven.
[/quote]

The way some people continue drive around others, even in this weather certainly is a pathway to heaven...I'm just not sure if that is for the driver or person who gets in the way.

If the cycling silk gets this kind of result (and unfortunately he has had practice recently) then this bodes very badly for the rest of us.

Something certainly needs to be done to encourage consistancy across the laws, especially where a person is harmed. Rob a house, 6mnths - inside . Kill someone, £300 quid and 12month ban? Anyone can see that isn't right.
It certainly doesn't take rocket surgery.

 

[magnatom]

[QUOTE 1272409"]
I'm sure you are a nice person 2Loose as are others on here, but when the red mist descends there is not telling what people do. That's why I forgive out on the road, driving is stressful and therefore tolerance levels to drivers should be above the normal level imo.
[/quote]

I cannot disagree more with this. Red mist is not an acceptable justification for endangering someones life. There is no situation whatsoever where I would ever use my car in a manor that would intentionally endanger any other road user. Why? Because I have learned to control my impulses, as is required in a function society.

If someone through red mist decides to swerve their car at me, then this person deserves to be punished fully for their actions. No question.

I am sick of the attitude that some road users have. Just yesterday I came upon a a section of road that was slushy. There was a cycle lane at the side, but not only is it in the car door zone, but it had significantly more accumulation of snow/ice and slush in it. A car (4x4) sits right on my rear wheel (red light up ahead). I signal to pull back. They do slightly, but not much. We stop at the lights and the 'lady' (nicely attired, probably in a good job, has a family etc) winds down her window:

Me: You were too close to me, especially considering the conditions
Driver: You should have been in your 'wee cycle lane'
Me: This is my lane right here.
Driver: No you should have been over there.
Me: It's full of snow and ice, it is too dangerous to cycle in.
Driver: I don't care.
Me: So I should endanger myself by cycling in that lane for your convenience?
Driver: Yes. It's your problem not mine.


Then the lights changed.

This lady was not joking. She was deadly serious.

I am sick of this attitude and I really am not willing to stand for it any longer. This is exactly why we need enforcement. Yes we need the carrot as well, but right now the stick is not big enough.

 

[gaz]

The time has definitely come for aggression on the road, especially against more 'vulnerable' road users is treated harshly. For far too long we have sat back and accepted our lot on the road.

I still get a lot of 'cyclists' messaging me (be it via youtube, twitter, blog or some other way). Saying that what i do with the camera is stupid and i should just live with it. Unfortunately i think the amount of cyclists that think we should be doing something about this is a handful.

 

[turnout]

I cannot disagree more with this. Red mist is not an acceptable justification for endangering someones life. There is no situation whatsoever where I would ever use my car in a manor that would intentionally endanger any other road user. Why? Because I have learned to control my impulses, as is required in a function society.

If someone through red mist decides to swerve their car at me, then this person deserves to be punished fully for their actions. No question.

I am sick of the attitude that some road users have. Just yesterday I came upon a a section of road that was slushy. There was a cycle lane at the side, but not only is it in the car door zone, but it had significantly more accumulation of snow/ice and slush in it. A car (4x4) sits right on my rear wheel (red light up ahead). I signal to pull back. They do slightly, but not much. We stop at the lights and the 'lady' (nicely attired, probably in a good job, has a family etc) winds down her window:

Me: You were too close to me, especially considering the conditions
Driver: You should have been in your 'wee cycle lane'
Me: This is my lane right here.
Driver: No you should have been over there.
Me: It's full of snow and ice, it is too dangerous to cycle in.
Driver: I don't care.
Me: So I should endanger myself by cycling in that lane for your convenience?
Driver: Yes. It's your problem not mine.


Then the lights changed.

This lady was not joking. She was deadly serious.

I am sick of this attitude and I really am not willing to stand for it any longer. This is exactly why we need enforcement. Yes we need the carrot as well, but right now the stick is not big enough.

Completely agree. Using 2 tons of steel to enforce perceived breaches of road etiquette is dangerous and stupid.

 

[magnatom]

I still get a lot of 'cyclists' messaging me (be it via youtube, twitter, blog or some other way). Saying that what i do with the camera is stupid and i should just live with it. Unfortunately i think the amount of cyclists that think we should be doing something about this is a handful.

I don't think this is true. I think it is the other way around, that only a handful of cyclists think things are fine as they are. Yes, my evidence is anecdotal, but most cyclists I speak to, off board, agree that there is too much aggression, and that aggression should be punished more vigorously.

 

[fossyant]

Oh dear, possibly why you shouldn't whack a car. Even sticking your hand up (done it) can provoke violence.

TBH, if someone is going to physically hit you, then it may be best you 'defend' yourself, but then you'll have headlines 'two lycra louts attack motorist'.........

S59 is about all you can expect in these circumstances. Not sure how I'd react next time someone drives a car at me....... doing the 'correct' thing didn't get very far.

 

[dellzeqq]

There I was driving along when all of a sudden out of nowhere a man in a helmet and dark glasses starts banging on my car - I stop suddenly as I am panniced I'm not thinking straight.

I get out to protect myself and next thing I know another man is steaming towards me - now there was two of them I felt in danger so I pushed him a way from me.

I didn't punch or kick I pushed him away. I feared I was going to get beaten up by these mad men I was outnumbered.........

You can see why the caution is issued it is a 'result' a crime solved and no need for the costly trial.

Still saddened

ahem!

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Operation Crackdown needs to be rolled out across the whole of E & W http://www.operationcrackdown.org/

Thus plod have a record of several numpties I've encountered. The old bill around here have no hesitation in confiscating vehicles when they can but they also temper this with common sense and good people handling skills on the front line. It is only once 'offences' get in the system and the potential for the Crap Prosecution Service to get involved that it falls apart ime.

 

[DrSquirrel]

[QUOTE 1272409"]
I'm sure you are a nice person 2Loose as are others on here, but when the red mist descends there is not telling what people do. That's why I forgive out on the road, driving is stressful and therefore tolerance levels to drivers should be above the normal level imo.
[/quote]

Driving isn't stressful... being impatient is.

Operation Crackdown needs to be rolled out across the whole of E & W http://www.operationcrackdown.org/

Thus plod have a record of several numpties I've encountered. The old bill around here have no hesitation in confiscating vehicles when they can but they also temper this with common sense and good people handling skills on the front line. It is only once 'offences' get in the system and the potential for the Crap Prosecution Service to get involved that it falls apart ime.

+1

I'd like to batch record everything (which isn't a huge amount), and let the Police wade through and decide which and what are the best to go for.

 

[As Easy As Riding A Bike]

ahem!

Yes, I spotted that too...

In a car. With the option of driving away.

So one "gets out" to protect oneself.

 

[As Easy As Riding A Bike]

Operation Crackdown needs to be rolled out across the whole of E & W http://www.operationcrackdown.org/

Thus plod have a record of several numpties I've encountered. The old bill around here have no hesitation in confiscating vehicles when they can but they also temper this with common sense and good people handling skills on the front line. It is only once 'offences' get in the system and the potential for the Crap Prosecution Service to get involved that it falls apart ime.

Crackdown seems to be working well - despite the numpties who write letters to the local press saying that it is a grotesque invasion of privacy, or that it will only be used by maliciously-minded individuals who are upset that someone has overtaken them (I kid you not). Funnily enough, a week after one of these letters appeared in the paper, there was an article about a young chap who, after being caught speeding through a local village at 60 mph (past a school, no less) had his licence taken away. This same article mentioned that the individual had been reported to Crackdown eleven times already. So I suspect the plod had a strong incentive to look out for him (but of course, all those reports were probably 'malicious'

).

The problem - as others have mentioned - is consistently getting these kind of schemes rolled out across the country. From reading Martin Porter's blog, it doesn't seem as if there is any website for his locality. Likewise (IIRC) there is nothing in Hampshire.

 

[magnatom]

[QUOTE 1272418"]
Ok fair enough, but is this not being pig ignorant - nothing to do with being angry imo.
[/quote]

In this particular instance it wasn't red mist, although I wouldn't say it was being ignorant. She was perfectly aware of the issue with the cycle lane, she just didn't care. I was in her way and that is all that mattered. My safety was not her concern. It is this attitude that leads to the red mist. The belief that a cyclist is a lesser road user, the belief that when a driver is in their box, they are the ruler of their little kingdom. If anyone challenges this attitude then the red mist descends, and for some that means endangering others, as this lady felt compelled to do.

 

[As Easy As Riding A Bike]

[QUOTE 1272420"]
Eh? Some people just don't like driving but yet have to do because they have no other choice given their type of lifestyle.[/quote]

Perhaps you could give them some advice in the way of zen.