The responsibilities of a taxi driver

[Lanzecki]

So possibly the problem doesnt lie with the drivers, but the cyclists who dont ride defensively?

Indirectly yes. But the main reason is the training. We were all taught to pass the test, then we had to learn to drive properly. A massive bug bear is the way the tests are performed. Quiet roads with a set of routes seem the norm. Professional driving instructors know these route and take their trainees on these routes to get used to them.

The lack of ongoing training and assessment leads to a nonchalance that's sometimes just plain crazy to view. Except the the driver.

Unfortunately all drivers (myself included) are guilty of being impatient with other road users. Including other cars, so what change do pedestrian's and cyclists have.

Humans are generally set in their ways and don't like being told they are doing it wrong by a random person. Unless you are a teacher/professor/the wife, you'll often get told to go away. Suggest to most people that their driving wasn't acceptable and you'll get the short straw.

We need to pick and choose our fights, or spend all day fighting them to no avail.

This guy needs a slapping down by someone in authority before he does something stupid (more so) to road user that is less sure then you are. He obviously thinks you shouldn't be impeding the traffic. He forget's you are the traffic just as he is.

 

[Lanzecki]

I just watched the video....

Well done for keeping ya cool. I probably wouldn't have. If he does it again cycle to a local police station and invite him in to make a complaint.

Professional Driver my arse. When was the last time he read the Highway Code?

 

[Matthew_T]

When was the last time he read the Highway Code?

I think that this is where the highway code needs updating. It has nothing about cyclists in primary. The only relevant rules are "Give cyclists as much space" and "be courteous to other road users" and 163 and 167.

A new rule needs to be introduced saying "A cyclist or horse rider may need to take the centre of the lane or 'primary position' when travelling through narrows in the road or approaching a junction. They do this to disuade dangerous overtaking. When overtaking, choose a safe moment to do so and give cyclists plenty of room."

 

[Lanzecki]

Yep, all that and more. If I was walking along the road (Don't ask why) a normal driver would slow down and overtake carefully. They may pull over and try and get me to walk on the pavement. If I'm a cyclist in the middle of the road (lane) some driver seem to think it's acceptable to dictate the law by using their vehicles to push us into the gutter.

Fine and all that. Well it's not is it. Around a town if a car hits a car chances are it's a visit to the garage. If a car hits a cyclist it's a visit to A&E at best.

What get's me is that a very few drivers, but vocal, seem to think that they have more rights over the road then other road users. They do cos they are in a metal can. Ignoring that, under law that have the SAME rights, not more.

No one would consider MGIF or close passing a Horse.... Why a cyclist? My mind boggles.

the law needs changing to fit in with many other countries. The driver is assumed to be guilty unless proven otherwise. It sounds strange, but seem's to work in other countries. After all the driver is driving a potentially lethal method of transport. How many people die from being hit by a cyclist every year?

 

[campbellab]

Personally I think I would have kept my cool but definitely would be reporting him to the police for harassment.

 

[PK99]

I dont want to spam videos on here but this is when he followed me yesterday:



I was thinking about pulling over or trying to dart down a side street and get rid of him but I suspect he would have just stopped and continued to follow me.
I think I did the right thing and ignored him.

BTW, I went in a circle as I decided to head to the police station.

From your text comments, this is looking like the driver may well be someone you have peed off previously by your aggressive "you are on camera" jibes at motorists. As you repeatedly say, you live in a small town and there are not many cyclists.

 

[Matthew_T]

From your text comments, this is looking like the driver may well be someone you have peed off previously by your aggressive "you are on camera" jibes at motorists. As you repeatedly say, you live in a small town and there are not many cyclists.

But I have not met this guy before. The two times on NYE that I saw him, I didnt speak to him at all. I just find it very odd that he started following me.

 

[markharry66]

Matthew happy birthday hope you have a good one forget the taxi driver life is to short (or least for one day anyway).

 

[Matthew_T]

Matthew happy birthday hope you have a good one forget the taxi driver life is to short (or least for one day anyway).

Unfortunately I wish I could. But they have uplaoded this:

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qHDPKsijz6w#
Its going to the police now.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

George Dubbayah did

In a world of political turds there are always freak floaters.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Unfortunately I wish I could. But they have uplaoded this:

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qHDPKsijz6w#
Its going to the police now.

I don't really have speakers, what was the dialogue in the car?

 

[Matthew_T]

I don't really have speakers, what was the dialogue in the car?

CLEAR! I now know what they were saying and what their exact intention were. Just come off the phone with the police and it seems to be the talk of the office (I could here them all discussing it).

 

[fossyant]

Happy Birthday.

Get yourself a download of the video (I believe you can pull it down off you tube).

This is going to seriously back fire with the taxi driver, and it's evidence he was harrassing you.

Ho ho !!

 

[fossyant]

Karma usually deals with people like that..glad you're still with us

I think Karma has or will come to bite the driver very shortly.

Shall we all ring up Coastline and ask for the driver that harrasses cyclists to pick us up ?

 

[Andrew_Culture]

CLEAR! I now know what they were saying and what their exact intention were. Just come off the phone with the police and it seems to be the talk of the office (I could here them all discussing it).

Ha, I wasn't asking for a review of the quality What were they saying?

There's a lovely clear view of the driver's cards on the dashboard isn't there!