Cyclist brings first private prosecution for dangerous driving

[TwickenhamCyclist]

Fairly close to home as well... the trial continues today in Isleworth

A cyclist who was nearly knocked off his bike after a sports car driver overtook him closely at speed has brought what is believed to be the UK’s first private prosecution for dangerous driving.
Barrister Martin Porter brought the case after police declined to take action, Isleworth Crown Court heard on Monday.
LINK

 

[jefmcg]

What is wrong with people??? The article is about a car going at 50 in a 30 zone, thus posing as a severe risk to all other road users, yet the commenters are all about cycles needing insurance.

I would much rather be hit by an uninsured cyclist than a heavily insured driver travelling at 50 mph

 

[steveindenmark]

That could open the flood gates if he wins. I hope the driver gets costs against him because this would not have been a cheap prosecution to undertake.

 

[Milkfloat]

I am a bit confused by him being accused of pursuing a personal vendetta - surely every private prosecution is exactly that. What matters is that Martin Porter has the skills to do it, whilst the rest of us do not. Good on him I say.

 

[hatler]

Good on him. I hope he gets a result.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I am a bit confused by him being accused of pursuing a personal vendetta - surely every private prosecution is exactly that. What matters is that Martin Porter has the skills to do it, whilst the rest of us do not. Good on him I say.

A vendetta is a prolonged campaign of revenge. Often escalating beyond the original wrong. Simply going to the law doesn't qualify as a vendetta. Its an utterly daft word to use.

 

[Banjo]

The really disgusting fact to emerge is that the idiot driver is a driving instructor.

Also that's the first time I have heard of heart rate monitor info being used as evidence. His big jump in heart rate immediately after the close pass proves he was alarmed.

 

[mjr]

The really disgusting fact to emerge is that the idiot driver is a driving instructor.

Oh wow. I'd not seen that before. So many worrying aspects to this case

 

[ianrauk]

..and all the usual cretinus anti-cycling comments being left.

 

[Lonestar]

..and all the usual cretinus anti-cycling comments being left.

Yup,I saw that,totally missing the point as usual.

Julia
That's a great idea. They should pay the same as people who drive electric cars. Also pedestrians should pay pavement tax, since they don't pay for the pavements they use. They should also be prosecuted if they cross the road and not use the pedestrian crossing that's built especially for them. They should also pay pedestrian insurance if they want to cross the road.



http://www.standard.co.uk/news/tran...-for-child-cyclists-say-parents-a3197961.html

Also is this by some hypocritical parents who make the roads dangerous?

 

[HLaB]

I hate a sue culture but this is one sue I'd like to see set a successful precedent!

 

[gavintc]

I had to stop reading the comments, it was making me angry.

 

[HLaB]

This is a prosecution.

I must admit I'm not up with the whole legal thing I find it all pretty disgusting tbh!

 

[derrick]

All because the police will not do there job properly. Am still waiting to here back from the police complaints officers, After my wife was knocked of her bike on a roundabout, the police refused to prosecute her even though the car was unfit to be on the road. Unbelievable.
Lets just hope he gets a result.

 

[CopperCyclist]

I'm hoping he gets a result. Very brave to go straight for the dangerous drive rather than the much easier careless too.

I hope the driver then appeals to a higher court, and loses as that will then give you a good bit of case law for close passes...