what should I have done?

[BearPear]

I followed a car for about 5 miles this morning which had a very wobbly rear wheel. At first I thought it was just a loose wheel-trim, but it was the actual wheel that was wobbling.

I fell back to avoid a collision if it dropped off, and I made a mental note of the number plate - I realised when I got home that I didn't know what kind of car it was except that it was something like a Clio or a 207.

I considered flashing them to see if they would stop, but It was on my own and it looked like 5 lads in the car so I didn't fancy that (I live in countryside, I may have reconsidered if it was a town centre).

I wondered about calling the police, but I guess they have better things to do. However, it was an accident waiting to happen if they got a bit of speed up and took a corner, or if the wheel fell off and hit someone on the roadside. What would be the appropriate thing to do in these circumstances?

 

[Dayvo]

That's a hard question!

Just don't watch the news or read the paper for a few days!

 

[ianrauk]

Nothing,
not worth worrying yourself about it.

 

[vernon]

If you have the registration details you don't need to know the make of the car. Notify the police and they will contact the registered keeper of the car. The car is in a dangerous state and needs immediate remedial action.

I'd hate to think of the more serious consequences of wheel loss. The lesser consequences are bad enough.

 

[Archie_tect]

Check to see if it's insured using one of the Motor Insurer's websites... if it isn't, give the details to the police. If it is insured, then the owner has responsibility for the car's road worthiness- you can't be expected to try and stop a car yourself- if you still feel worried, tell your local police station and if they have the manpower they may do something

 

[rh100]

Don't sweat over it, another motorist would have seen it - enough people flashing lights at him will make him realise, plus the fact the handling of the car will be all over the place. Don't concern yourself. Driver is responsible - not you.

 

[XmisterIS]

I'm surprised the driver didn't feel it!

When you're in a car with the wheel hanging off, you know about it! The vibrations make the whole vehicle shudder and the steering gets knocked about too.

The occupants of the car must have been braindead if they didn't twig that something was wrong ...

 

[marinyork]

If you have the registration details you don't need to know the make of the car. Notify the police and they will contact the registered keeper of the car. The car is in a dangerous state and needs immediate remedial action.

I'd hate to think of the more serious consequences of wheel loss. The lesser consequences are bad enough.

Er, yes you do . Think about it.

On the actual topic I've followed cars in this state before. On wheels coming off it is hard to say, on estates people sometimes pull the prank of loosening wheels so they come off, it happened to one of my friends.

 

[vernon]

Er, yes you do . Think about it.

Must have my dim head on today. Enlighten me.

 

[Globalti]

The car was probably stolen and had been smacked against a kerb. People will carry on driving a car until it breaks in those circumstances.

Cyclists need to be in the habit of keeping the local Police non-emergency number on their phones. Here in Lancs and also in Greater Manchester you ring the number and they are happy to take reports of bad driving. If that car is seen later by a patrol car equipped with ANPR it will get stopped for a chat. It works and we have dealt with a couple of habitual speeders in our street, Police are quite happy to use their computer to this effect.

 

[fossyant]

It's a good chance the tyre was warped, see this fairly often.

 

[marinyork]

Must have my dim head on today. Enlighten me.

Cloned plates.

 

[BearPear]

It's a good chance the tyre was warped, see this fairly often.

Ok trying to include a quote for first time...

It was more than warped - it was proper wobbling all over the place! As I said, once I noticed I immediately dropped back I was so sure it was about to drop off!

Maybe the weight of 5 lads kind of deadened the effect of the wobble - but they must have been big lads the amount of vibration it would have been producing.

I think I may give the fuzz a bell, as someone said, it might be stolen and at least it's a sighting!

Thanks for the helpful words, guys.

 

[BearPear]

Ooh, just rang the local station and they were happy to take the report and were going to see about tracking it down to at least alert the driver!

Who'da thought it!

Or maybe she just sounded helpful and her note was "filed" appropriately. At least my conscience is clear now.

 

[Archie_tect]

.... must have rung "Pronto Pizza" by accident.