Reporting mobile use while driving

[Deleted User]

we're both entitled to our own opinions here.

We are.👍

 

[Deleted User]

So what you seem to be saying is that if we witness crime (anywhere, anyhoo) it's better to just walk on by? What's wrong with helping a prosecution along?

Or are you the sort who just grumbles about some litterers (or dangerous drivers) to the wife when you get home?

And you think that's what I've said?

You think riding along on your bike, purposely capturing people on their phones and then reporting them to the Police is 'helping the prosecution along '?
I don't waste my breath moaning to anyone about people 'littering ' .

 

[Deleted User]

Has anyone else drawn their own conclusions about the reason for @shep getting bent out of shape over law-breaking drivers being reported to the police?

I don't like sneaky, sly reporting types that's all.

Knock on the car window and challenge them if you're that concerned, I had the same feelings about reporting Covid rule breakers.

 

[Drago]

I don't like sneaky, sly reporting types that's all.

I love 'em!

Their "victims" are architects of their own downfall. If they don't like being held responsible for their behaviour then thats their problem.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

There is a video above of someone 'calling out' a motorist who is texting (probably) on his phone
but the car is stationary in a queue
but it is illegal
clearly

but it is kinda borderline - who is he endangering??? (funny how often it is a 'he' though??)
but the camera person did go out of his way to 'out' the offender

personally I think this is excessive - who was that person endangering?? - was his handbrake on - was his car in neutral??
still illegal - but......

HOWEVER
reporting someone doing the same thing while the car is moving - especially at a deadly speed which is, as we know, not all that fast - is a totally different matter

this attitude of 'grassing on someone is always wrong' is just dumb - if someone brutally murdered your wife/husband and you shopped the murderer to the cops - is that wrong???


'someone I know' saw a person throw a proper petrol bomb at the window of a house opposite due to a perceived slight
luckily the morons with the petrol bombs used plastic bottles against double glazed windows so just created a fire in the front garden

but when the cops came round he wouldn't tell the then who it was ALTHOUGH HE KNEW!!!



and - to cap it all

THE PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE WERE RELATIVES OF HIS AND WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF A KIDS PARTY!!!!!!

but you don't grass


his wife nearly killed him - not physically - but she has a rather loud way with words!!!!!!

working with that kind of attitude - reporting someone for potentially killing someone with 2 tons of metal because you are texting your sister "being wrong" become understandable
moronic
but understandable

Politicians need to understand the material they are working with - the Police already know by long experience!!!

 

[Deleted User]

I love 'em!

That's why we're all different I guess.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

If however you want to be a Traffic Cop, change jobs!

If police numbers hadn’t been so severely slashed, we might have enough traffic cops to be a greater deterrent but we don’t. And that makes the famous quote of Sir Robert Peel (founder of the Metropolitan Police) all the more relevant today: "The police are the public and the public are the police."

You’ll find that most police forces in England actively promote what you seem so disapproving of, with portals specifically set up to accept uploading of dashcam and helmet cam evidence. Cycling Mikey has provided evidence that has taken 6 dangerous drivers off our roads. He should be commended not criticised.

 

[Drago]

but it is kinda borderline - who is he endangering??? (funny how often it is a 'he' though??)

It doesn't matter. It's unlawful. Let them pinch and inch there, an pretty soon they'll be pinching an inch elsewhere, and then another, and another, and before you know it there is no incentive to obey.

In any event, you can almost guarantee that instead of having the handbrake applied as a stationary vehicle should, they'll be blithely holding the car stationary with their right foot - they're not in proper control, their hands are not readily available to resume control, and aren't paying proper attention. Not a good combination.

 

[Arjimlad]

The ones I catch on film drifting along in slow moving traffic gazing lovingly at their phones would be, for the most part, quite incapable of ignoring an incoming text or call on the motorway, or on the A-road I am cycling home along, and we all know how those can end up. Self defence is as good a reason as any to report them.

 

[PaulSB]

Very true, but, fortunately, not everyone takes that view.

Recently, whilst out cycling with Mrs @BoldonLad, we had a "close pass", by a tipper lorry. Not close enough to be really scary, but, certainly too close for comfort.

The incident was clearly recorded on my camera, complete with Company name and Reg No of the vehicle.

Rather than send the footage to the Police, I decided to send it to the Company, via Email.

I received a very polite, and, apologetic reply, and, a promise that the incident had been brought to the driver's attention, with a view to avoiding a repeat.

Of course, we will never know if the message takes hold.

A very civilised and I would suggest effective way to deal with the situation. Far more likely to have a positive outcome than reporting to the police.

 

[Milkfloat]

A very civilised and I would suggest effective way to deal with the situation. Far more likely to have a positive outcome than reporting to the police.

You forgot the winky smilie.

 

[matticus]

I don't like sneaky, sly reporting types that's all.

Knock on the car window and challenge them if you're that concerned, I had the same feelings about reporting Covid rule breakers.

I've done exactly that - knocked on windows - a few times. So far, they've got the point, and I haven't received any violence. Will it always end so well? Dunno. I might decide that "slyly reporting" them to the police for a crime is the way to go.

Likewise there will be cyclists who totally lack confidence in any kind of confrontation (could be for many reasons); should they just turn a blind eye (as Shep recommends), or is it ok to tell the Police instead (as the Police are recommending)?

EDIT: forgot to say! Far more common are the instances where it's impossible to catch them and knock on the window. Shep, have you noticed that cars can be much faster than bikes? and attempting pursuit of a moving vehicle is a lot more dangerous for a cyclist than for a driver using their mobile phone.

 

[Arjimlad]

I have spoken to some drivers seen using their phones, in some cases that's meant I haven't gone on to report them. In other cases when they don't give a proverbial about it I have gone on to report them. Other times I can't be bothered with the confrontation or don't think the driver will engage in a polite conversation. Or as you say @matticus the opportunity for a chat does not arise. I will always try to discuss a close pass with the driver but again, the chances of catching up are often slim.

The police can decide what to do about it then. For all I know, they're driving uninsured, or have six points already for mobile phone use and need further encouragement to put it away whilst behind the wheel.

 

[Deleted User]

I've done exactly that - knocked on windows - a few times. So far, they've got the point, and I haven't received any violence. Will it always end so well? Dunno. I might decide that "slyly reporting" them to the police for a crime is the way to go.

Likewise there will be cyclists who totally lack confidence in any kind of confrontation (could be for many reasons); should they just turn a blind eye (as Shep recommends), or is it ok to tell the Police instead (as the Police are recommending)?

EDIT: forgot to say! Far more common are the instances where it's impossible to catch them and knock on the window. Shep, have you noticed that cars can be much faster than bikes? and attempting pursuit of a moving vehicle is a lot more dangerous for a cyclist than for a driver using their mobile phone.

The fella above seems to be able to catch them, film them and even attempt to capture who their talking to!

I just don't get the compulsion to be some kind of 'phone vigilante' myself, as already said witnessing a crime going about your daily business is one thing but this is different.

Carry on for me, I don't use my phone when driving so won't ever be 'caught'.

As with all open forums, I'm giving my opinion on a subject raised, I don't tell people what they should or shouldn't do.

 

[matticus]

I just don't get the compulsion to be some kind of 'phone vigilante' myself, as already said witnessing a crime going about your daily business is one thing but this is different.

On any decent length road trip you will see illegal mobile phone usage. So yup, I am witnessing crime while going about my daily business.