The Cycling Lawyer - assaulted

[magnatom]

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.

Right. I'm in fighting mood today (no red mist though!).

So this would be a good idea to roll out across the country. So how do we do this? What is the best way to campaign for this? Why don't we actually try and make a difference?!

 

[sheddy]

I've emailed the local BiB asking them to introduce Crackdown nationwide. Will try again.

 

[fossyant]

God knows what we do - the instance you refer to Mags is just that most people don't care. Maybe if you said 'tell my wife and young children that if you run me over' - we are seen as the scum of the world, poor paupers can't afford a car...yadda yadda - social underclass.

Even had a colleague mention she was glad of the cold weather, lots less cyclist's about, wobbling in front of her........ we are all at fault.....

Time to get that fagh d-lock on a holster and pistol whip a few I think.

 

[magnatom]

I've emailed the local BiB asking them to introduce Crackdown nationwide. Will try again.

Pardon my ignorance who is BiB?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

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.

I think we must credit the plod in our fair county with a high degree of common sense and a great deal of vision. Crackdown is not consequence free for the reporter, I've been spoken to about one of my reports (reported in a thread in here somewhere). There is no evidence that it is being used maliciously nor can it be seen as an invasion of privacy. One's behaviour on the public highway is not a private matter.

A national police force, with national goverance, and nationally consistent processes and proceedures is long overdue imo.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Pardon my ignorance who is BiB?

boys in blue

 

[gaz]

Right. I'm in fighting mood today (no red mist though!).

So this would be a good idea to roll out across the country. So how do we do this? What is the best way to campaign for this? Why don't we actually try and make a difference?!

The question is who will run it?
The road safe scheme in london is run by traffic officers and as far as i'm aware, so is operation crackdown.
I think the best course of action would be to contact the traffic units and see if this is something they can do.

 

[HJ]

[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]

What? Why should we tolerate bad driving? Driving is not a right, drivers are only on the road by licence. With that licence comes responsibilities, if people can't live up to those responsibilities they shouldn't be driving, or you going to tell us that 800 deaths a year on Britain's roads through accidents crashes caused by road rage or disrespectful driving, is somehow acceptable?

 

[BSRU]

Although I wish they would, I do not think my local Police force would start something like RoadSafe, not enough staff or money, only to become worse when the Police budget is cut.

To my local traffic units credit they have once again had a big crackdown on drink driving which is showing "positive results" decreasing every year.

 

[Amanda P]

Perhaps we need to give power to the Police for short term bans? Or would that be too much admin and socially?

How about this ... taking away a vehicle for even a small amount of time is really going to give some time to reflect.

Exactly what I've been saying for years. Glad some of you have been listening, or thinking along the same lines. Ideally, there'd be a short-term driving ban too, because some numpties whose cars are seized would simply borrow mum's, or steal another. Custodial sentences for those caught driving while unqualified or banned. Why not? - there's a good reason for bans and for having to pass a test in the first place...

True, it is from section 59 police reform act. However, the driver must receive a warning first, then the car is seized.

... and then I find that the police have had the power to do this all along! Why do we so rarely hear of them using it?

 

[BentMikey]

Why should we tolerate rage and bad behaviour from people operating dangerous machinery? It's not tolerated in the workplace, not even slightly. What's different about driving cars? Car culture is all.

 

[fimm]

Two men, X and Y, are walking out of a pub. Y bumps into X, Y claims accidentally, X says deliberately. There's a bit of a stooshie, and Y's friend Z comes over. X swears at Z and pushes him over. To the police's eyes, I suspect that's analogous to the incident we are discussing. I am not saying that this is the case, but my guess is that this is how the police see it, especially given their reaction.
But suppose (in my hypothetical incident) Y and Z happened to be black, and X abused them for the colour of their skin? Or were a gay couple, walking out of the pub holding hands, and were abused for their sexuality? Would the police react differently then?

 

[downfader]

If Roadsafe/Crackdown were to be done nationally, and indeed in Scotland and Wales.. would it not save the Police a vast amount of money?

I mean think of it this way, the drivers and riders of the roads, and the pedestrians will become the eyes and ears of the public, could submit footage (youtube is ideal for this as it saves their servers), it would certainly re-engage the public with the Police and bring them back up in their estimations.

The whole system could be automated with online forms like that with Crimestoppers (secure connection, Name, address, tele/email, link box to video on another website or photo on flikr etc)

I really would like Hampshire to do the same. I'm doubtful as to whether they would, and tbh I've felt quite disillusioned when I have contacted my MP (he doesnt seem to give a s***) or the Police previously. The council, on the otherhand have been slightly better.

 

[User169]

http://thecyclingsil...ed-assault.html

So even with an independent witness and injuries the Police decided to go for a caution. Such is their faith in the local CPS, perhaps?

To me that is at the very least attempted manslaughter, the driver knew what he was doing and the ramifications of pushing someone into oncoming traffic.

No such thing btw.

 

[downfader]

No such thing btw.

Technically true, but since it wasnt a precalculated attempt on the guys life, more of a "I'll kill you" kind of angry reaction to his "car being damaged" (drive further out, scumbag) if the guy had died it could have been construed by many to be manslaughter. You can still attempt it.