Punishment Pass, £200 fine and 4 points.

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glasgowcyclist

Charming but somewhat feckless
Location
Scotland
I had a couple of incidents on a ride this morning, I could have made a scene in the middle of the High Street and berated someone who cut me up, but all I'd be doing is holding up traffic and probably upsetting the child in the back of the drivers' car. I'd look like a dick and the drivers would probably carry a grudge, no one wins. I'd rather mutter something under my breath, get over it and get on enjoying my ride.

There's no need to create a scene, I've found that I get a better hearing if I calmly explain to the driver how his driving threatened my safety.

Doing nothing other than muttering to yourself means the bullies and the incompetent continue unchecked, those of us at most risk are rendered silent and the future victims treated as an unfortunate side effect of motor use.

We lose.

GC
 

Foghat

Freight-train-groove-rider
I'd like to know how this is defined as a punishment pass. Unless there's another video where there was a previous incident back down the road, I'll go with the screaming riders' title on the actual video of close pass.

You seem to be labouring under the misapprehension that a punishment pass can only occur as punishment for an earlier encounter between the parties. That is just one form of punishment pass.

For the avoidance of doubt, the term 'punishment pass' is one used to describe any deliberate close pass intended to intimidate or endanger, for whatever reason. The punishment element of the term relates to the perpetrator making the close pass as punishment for, for example, not riding in the gutter, being 'in the way', impeding a driver's speed, using a mode of transport the offender dislikes, not using a cycle lane, etc etc.

An example of a close pass that isn't necessarily a punishment pass is one where a driver, through incompetence and/or ignorance but not malice, carelessly or inconsiderately squeezes past with oncoming traffic preventing a proper safe overtake.
 

400bhp

Guru
Great result.

I don't give a rats arse whether he gets shouty. We cannot accurately predict our reaction when someone purportedly endangers your life.
 

outlash

also available in orange
You seem to be labouring under the misapprehension that a punishment pass can only occur as punishment for an earlier encounter between the parties. That is just one form of punishment pass.

For the avoidance of doubt, the term 'punishment pass' is one used to describe any deliberate close pass intended to intimidate or endanger, for whatever reason. The punishment element of the term relates to the perpetrator making the close pass as punishment for, for example, not riding in the gutter, being 'in the way', impeding a driver's speed, using a mode of transport the offender dislikes, not using a cycle lane, etc etc.

An example of a close pass that isn't necessarily a punishment pass is one where a driver, through incompetence and/or ignorance but not malice, carelessly or inconsiderately squeezes past with oncoming traffic preventing a proper safe overtake.

But you have no proof that it was deliberate, so by your definition it may or may not have been a punishment pass. But thanks anyway.
 

outlash

also available in orange
There's no need to create a scene, I've found that I get a better hearing if I calmly explain to the driver how his driving threatened my safety.

Doing nothing other than muttering to yourself means the bullies and the incompetent continue unchecked, those of us at most risk are rendered silent and the future victims treated as an unfortunate side effect of motor use.

We lose.

GC

Is it bullying though? A large proportion of the time drivers don't even know they're doing it. As has been said numerous times, there's plenty of bellends on the road using any form of transport. It's not just drivers.
 

glasgowcyclist

Charming but somewhat feckless
Location
Scotland
Is it bullying though? A large proportion of the time drivers don't even know they're doing it. As has been said numerous times, there's plenty of bellends on the road using any form of transport. It's not just drivers.

It can be, and when it's not it's incompetence (as I said in my post).
Either way, the threat to the cyclist's safety is the same.

GC
 

rugby bloke

Veteran
Location
Northamptonshire
Another lazy driver who cannot be arsed or does not see the need to give the cyclist space. Would be interesting to know if he or she indulges in other typical arsery such as failing to use indicators, middle lane hogging etc.
 

rossw46

Well-Known Member
Location
Waltham Abbey
I too am glad that the driver was punished. I, like many others, am fed up with drivers who can't be bothered to wait a few seconds, and as a result, a cyclist could easily be killed or seriously injured. I started a thread with a video from my helmet cam a few weeks ago where a van had passed me way too close, that shook me up for a good few days !
 

boydj

Legendary Member
Location
Paisley
But you have no proof that it was deliberate, so by your definition it may or may not have been a punishment pass. But thanks anyway.

The fact that the driver was clapping while looking at the cyclist I think is proof of the deliberate nature of the pass, added to the fact that the car got closer to the cyclist as the pass progressed.

I don't understand your reluctance to accept the concept of a punishment pass. It's a regular occurrence for a lot of commuter cyclists, and happens often enough outwith commuter journeys. When questioned about a pass the driver will usually say something like 'you were in the middle of the road' or 'you were weaving about all over the place' as if that gave them the right to pass you closely.
 

hatler

Legendary Member
The fact that the driver was clapping while looking at the cyclist I think is proof of the deliberate nature of the pass, added to the fact that the car got closer to the cyclist as the pass progressed.

I don't understand your reluctance to accept the concept of a punishment pass. It's a regular occurrence for a lot of commuter cyclists, and happens often enough outwith commuter journeys. When questioned about a pass the driver will usually say something like 'you were in the middle of the road' or 'you were weaving about all over the place' as if that gave them the right to pass you closely.
Bang on. That is exactly my take on punishment passes and I've heard those exact quotes too many times.
 

Profpointy

Legendary Member
The fact that the driver was clapping while looking at the cyclist I think is proof of the deliberate nature of the pass, added to the fact that the car got closer to the cyclist as the pass progressed.

I don't understand your reluctance to accept the concept of a punishment pass. It's a regular occurrence for a lot of commuter cyclists, and happens often enough outwith commuter journeys. When questioned about a pass the driver will usually say something like 'you were in the middle of the road' or 'you were weaving about all over the place' as if that gave them the right to pass you closely.


Boyd didn't object to the concept of the "punishment pass" but simply wasn't convinced that this one was.
 

Origamist

Legendary Member
Awful overtake. Nothing coming in the opposite direction and squeezes Magnatom as he completes the close pass.

I'd favour the 'punishment pass' interpretation, unless the guy has a propensity for seal impressions as he drives.

Good result.
 
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