Cycling Dan
Cycle Crazy
Ha, thats testament to my naivety.
Reporting mobile use while driving
- Thread starter Twenty Inch
- Start date
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Ha, thats testament to my naivety.
PocketFrog
Northern Monkey
A woman pulled out on me on Sunday while on her phone... when i protested she smiled sarcastically and said "I'm ACTUALLY on the phone to the Police, they LITERALLY know i'm driving....".
The Police: encouraging bad driving habits as long as it helps them out.
The Police: encouraging bad driving habits as long as it helps them out.
PocketFrog
Northern Monkey
I'm fairly certain she was lying.
I was too until I saw the police car turn up!
Black Country Ste
Senior Member
- Location
- West Midlands
I once made a 999 call on the M6 to report a pedestrian walking along the hard shoulder. Even hands free (phone is velcroed to the dash for music through an FM transmitter) I was really struggling to concentrate on my driving.
Unless she was being followed I can't see how even an emergency call is justified while driving.
Unless she was being followed I can't see how even an emergency call is justified while driving.
BentMikey
Rider of Seolferwulf
- Location
- South London
ISTR the one exception to mobile use behind the wheel is for emergency calls, yes?
PocketFrog
Northern Monkey
I take it back...sort of:
Can't fully say that B was/wasn't the case but C certainly wasn't. It was on my estate with plenty of places that the driver could have parked safely to make the call.
Also, it was a she... so none of the above seem to apply according to the sexist wording of the law :P
gaz
Cycle Camera TV
- Location
- South Croydon
lol that is bad wording, good spot.
Although I'm assuming that PocketFrog was making a joke, one of the few things I remember from my legal training was the Interpretation Act 1978, which provided for words importing the masculine gender include the feminine, "'unless the contrary intention appears". Saves writing "he/she" in all legislation or using the awkward (to my mind) "they".
Im completely dismayed that there are cycle users on here that seemingly are unhappy with reporting of phone use, dangerous driving etc.
I have three boys (13,8,2) and even the 2 year old is getting taught to be careful near the roads as its not just their attention that they need to be wary of. I tell them all the time that even if they are careful they have to remember that some drivers arent especially those that use phones when moving.
As the police cant be everywhere all the time then I cant see how cyclists capturing footage and reporting drivers can be anything other than beneficial. Of course posters are entitled to their opinion when decrying 'grasses' and 'busybodies', but I'd ask them to think that one serial phone user recieving a couple of letters warning or their friends and family seeing them on youtube and deciding that they should stop could potentially save lives can't be bad. How can you argue against that?
I have three boys (13,8,2) and even the 2 year old is getting taught to be careful near the roads as its not just their attention that they need to be wary of. I tell them all the time that even if they are careful they have to remember that some drivers arent especially those that use phones when moving.
As the police cant be everywhere all the time then I cant see how cyclists capturing footage and reporting drivers can be anything other than beneficial. Of course posters are entitled to their opinion when decrying 'grasses' and 'busybodies', but I'd ask them to think that one serial phone user recieving a couple of letters warning or their friends and family seeing them on youtube and deciding that they should stop could potentially save lives can't be bad. How can you argue against that?
Black Country Ste
Senior Member
- Location
- West Midlands
I went to the police station this afternoon to report a driver using his phone. Normally I wouldn't otherwise I'd be there every day but this driver became aggressive when challenged and made to get out of his car when I told him he was on camera. This leads me to believe he might already be of interest to Plod.
I have an appointment to see an officer tomorrow but the civilian desk officer was an idiot. I had to explain to him that unless you're parked with the engine off (ie. not driving) then it's an offence, it doesn't matter if the car is stationary in traffic.
I'm feeling a little bemused about it and hopeful the officer takes me seriously when I show up tomorrow.
I have an appointment to see an officer tomorrow but the civilian desk officer was an idiot. I had to explain to him that unless you're parked with the engine off (ie. not driving) then it's an offence, it doesn't matter if the car is stationary in traffic.
I'm feeling a little bemused about it and hopeful the officer takes me seriously when I show up tomorrow.
Cycling Dan
Cycle Crazy
Best just to go in and fill out a incident report.
The people on the desks are what i call desk monkeys.... placed there to admin. A glorified receptionist in uniform.
One of the best things to do is ring 101 and a operator will handle it. Then the operator will arrange for a officer to come see you or you see them in a station. Them coming to see you is best as it will most likely be some one who knows what they are talking about.
Black Country Ste
Senior Member
- Location
- West Midlands
I went back yesterday and was there an hour with the PC having a chat about it and what will be done. Gave a statement, had a chat about the camera and what I do with the footage. He likes the camera and wants one for his motorbike. Good bloke, certainly on my side.
The driver lives some distance away so when he's back on shift Thursday he's going to ring the driver and get his side, then let me know how it went. He's not inclined to issue a FPN or prosecute but if the driver's a tosser about it then he will. He's certainly going to give him a few hard words about his attitude.
Slightly unhappy that he's not taking a harder line but overall it was a positive meeting. He's given me an hour of his time so I feel I've been taken seriously.
The driver lives some distance away so when he's back on shift Thursday he's going to ring the driver and get his side, then let me know how it went. He's not inclined to issue a FPN or prosecute but if the driver's a tosser about it then he will. He's certainly going to give him a few hard words about his attitude.
Slightly unhappy that he's not taking a harder line but overall it was a positive meeting. He's given me an hour of his time so I feel I've been taken seriously.
Cycling Dan
Cycle Crazy
I think this is the appropriate option.
As you say if the drivers a tosser he will issue to FPN so fingers crossed you found yourself a tosser. The £60 fine is bound to bring your council tax down a bit.(JK).
As i said i think this is the best way forward. Sometimes they just need a telling off and they will stop it. Anyhow it will go on record as no doubt it will be a formal warning. So if they do something like that again its off to the nick.
Cycling Dan
Cycle Crazy
This the one your talking about
Also when I have spoken to officers over the 2/3 things ive reported i have asked the officer to pass on that they can video the footage on Youtube and all they have to do to find it is type there reg into Google.
For the second incident I got a copper who was a top bloke(in fairness the first was but not as top). He went round and showed her the footage through Youtube and basically said right well how to do you explain this. Anyhow she got a section 59 warning. Not seen her again.
