Lunatic drivers (merged)

Tabnabs

I just wanted to ask if there's anyone in particular in the gards who I can contact about an complete idiot of a driver that I see regularly on the M50 and southside suburbs driving his car like lunatic.

I have seen him undertake cars who are in the overtaking lane (and doing 120km) because there's a truck ahead in the slow lane. He shoots down the slow lane and emerges in front of the cars just in time to miss the truck and them. He always goes in the wrong lane on a particular roundabout and has to force his way in a the last moment. Speeding well in excess of the 120 limit on the M50 is his daily routine.

I contacted the local gards with car type, reg etc. but they weren't really bothered...

This guy is going to kill himself and others some day, but there doesn't seem to be anything I can do to try and stop it? :mad:

Any thoughts?

Seth Brundle

Cue posts about cars drvin in the overtaking lane when they need not be, a debate about undertaking in traffic, gardai not caring, etc.

m_stan

Try the traffic watch number and explain the guy is a repeat offender. May get a response, may not. The number escapes me at the moment.

slumped

The Garda Traffic Line is 1890 205 805

S

Seth Brundle

Isn't the traffic watch number like that phone in the Carlsberg Customer Complaints

Tabnabs

kbannon wrote:

Cue posts about cars drvin in the overtaking lane when they need not be, a debate about undertaking in traffic, gardai not caring, etc.

Ok I mustn't have explained myself very well. The cars were in the overtaking lane to over take a truck. Not-so-boy racer shot down the inside lane and undertook these cars and then at the last moment, just before he plows into the back of the truck he pulls out in front of the cars in the overtaking lane and they have to brake to allow him the space.

BTW with undertaking, a courier we use in work was done for contributory negligence when a car hit him as his was undertaking it. i.e. it's illegal and stupid!!

fletch

Dyflin wrote:

The cars were in the overtaking lane to over take a truck. Not-so-boy racer shot down the inside lane and undertook these cars and then at the last moment, just before he plows into the back of the truck he pulls out in front of the cars in the overtaking lane and they have to brake to allow him the space.

Sounds to me like they were hogging the outside lane and he was just trying to make progress....

Tabnabs

fletch wrote:

Sounds to me like they were hogging the outside lane and he was just trying to make progress....

You can troll all you like, I ain't taking the bait...

fletch

Dyflin wrote:

You can troll all you like, I ain't taking the bait...

Sorry wasn't trolling....merely an observation. In reality though, its one persons word against the other, why are the police going to believe one person over another?

prospect

It is annoying, especially if it is the same car doing the same crap regularly.

I drive past the Lyons Estate at the abck of Newcastle every morning, and am regularly passed by a Cretin in a Black Ford Sierra. It is a 80Km/h limit, it is a narrow road with a 8' stone wall immediately along the road side. This gob****e has passed 4 or 5 cars, (who are going at or above the limit), and he would be easily driving in excess of 120km/h. And he does not seem to take adverse weather conditions into account. Grade 'A' future statistic.

Idleater

Dyflin wrote:

You can troll all you like, I ain't taking the bait...

He is correct though.

There is no law against driving in the driving lane and then indicating right to overtake a truck and then moving back into the driving lane after the truck and the manouver is completed.

Just because you are sitting like a chump in a queue doing 80kmph in the overtaking lane does not mean that somebody doing 120kmph in the normal driving lane is doing something illegal.

L.

samo

prospect wrote:

It is annoying, especially if it is the same car doing the same crap regularly.

I drive past the Lyons Estate at the abck of Newcastle every morning, and am regularly passed by a Cretin in a Black Ford Sierra. It is a 80Km/h limit, it is a narrow road with a 8' stone wall immediately along the road side. This gob****e has passed 4 or 5 cars, (who are going at or above the limit), and he would be easily driving in excess of 120km/h. And he does not seem to take adverse weather conditions into account. Grade 'A' future statistic.

I know that road well, think I've seen the car your referring to as some idiot passed me out recently toward the humpbacked bridge just past Lyons and hit the bridge at the same speed without even slowing, god only knows what might have happened had someone been approaching at the same time from opposite direction.

Tabnabs

nereid wrote:

He is correct though.

There is no law against driving in the driving lane and then indicating right to overtake a truck and then moving back into the driving lane after the truck and the manouver is completed.

Just because you are sitting like a chump in a queue doing 80kmph in the overtaking lane does not mean that somebody doing 120kmph in the normal driving lane is doing something illegal.

L.

Eh hello? As I said, these cars were doing 120kph. He undertook them (as they were not driving slowly it was an illegal act), was speeding in the inside lane (also illegal) and then cut out in front of them thereby casuing them to brake to avoid collision (dangerous driving, guess what? illegal!!)

Tabnabs

fletch wrote:

Sorry wasn't trolling....merely an observation. In reality though, its one persons word against the other, why are the police going to believe one person over another?

That's why I want to report him, so that the gards can get out there and pick him up themsleves.

fletch

Dyflin wrote:

Eh hello? As I said, these cars were doing 120kph. He undertook them (as they were not driving slowly it was an illegal act), was speeding in the inside lane (also illegal) and then cut out in front of them thereby casuing them to brake to avoid collision (dangerous driving, guess what? illegal!!)

Sitting in the outside lane and not overtaking is also illegal. They may have been doing 120kph but that does not necessarily imply that they were all overtaking. If he was able to "fly" up the inside, then this implies to me that the cars in the outside lane were not in fact overtaking but sittin in a train of traffic. I know two wrongs don't make a right and all that, but if people didn't hog the outside lane then there would be no need for people to undertake.... [end rant]

fletch

Dyflin wrote:

That's why I want to report him, so that the gards can get out there and pick him up themsleves.

To be honest I cant really see the guards "staking out" this driver.....you could set up a camera on the front of your car and catch some photographic evidence although I'm not sure if this would be accepted in court?

mloc123

Have people nothing better to do, get a hobby instead of wasting your life giving out about some guy that passes you each day on the M50. You can 'undertake' when there is slow moving traffic in the outside lane and faster moving traffic in the inside lane, I suspect the m50 is like this most mornings.

Tabnabs

Ok, one more time for the peole down the back. When I said they were overtaking, they were overtaking!

They moved out in plenty of time, drove at the limit to get passed the obstuction as quickly as possible and then they moved back to the inside lane after they had passed the truck, is that acceptable driving practice?

This idiot drives a big red 2004 Alfa Romeo GT, so had plenty of horses to get him up the inside.

I'm not implying, second guessing or generalising. Simply stating the facts of this event.

Tabnabs

fletch wrote:

To be honest I cant really see the guards "staking out" this driver.....you could set up a camera on the front of your car and catch some photographic evidence although I'm not sure if this would be accepted in court?

I'm hardly going to go to the trouble and expense of doing that? This guy consistantly breaks the law by speeding (M50, not the end of the world) but it's the dangerous driving that puts other people (he drives this way off the motorway too) in danger and this is what I object too.

C_Breeze

Dyflin, What car does this guy drive and what time would he normallly be on the road at?

Tabnabs

Red Alfa Romeo GT, 04 G 6XXX. Works in Dun Laoghaire and takes the M50 from at least Tallaght to Cherrywood, then down to Graduate Pub roundabout, on to Sallynoggin roundabout and then down to DL.

Is usually on this stretch of the M50 at about 0815

C_Breeze

Well id give him a pat on the back,. why dont you report all the other plebs on the motorway that are crawling along in the overtaking lane , switching lanes without looking in the mirror, others that dont know how to merge properly, let alone all the L plates i see on the m50 ...why not report them!

OOOOh he drives fast and has a bit of balls and a nice red alfa Gt
...jealousy???

\m/_(>_<)_\m/

kbannon wrote:

Isn't the traffic watch number like that phone in the Carlsberg Customer Complaints

i would hope your casting aspersions that the guards traffic watch line in not manned or taken seriously... "do you know this for a fact"?

it can only work if we make it work.

to the op...i would ring it and make your compliant

Tabnabs

What a sad, sad person you are.

fletch

\m/_(>_<)_\m/ wrote:

OK don't ring it, and don't make a complaint... instead come on here and whine and moan about it. That should sort it...
or else you could give as much information as you legally can about the other driver in question and hope that you can start off a vigilante group to try and blow him off the road that way somebody else can sort out you problem...

brave man alright

I think he was actually calling C_Breeze sad.....lol

Fey!

Squiggles - he wasn't commenting at you - check his post time and your post time!!!

Seth Brundle

\m/_(>_<)_\m/ wrote:

i would hope your casting aspersions that the guards traffic watch line in not manned or taken seriously... "do you know this for a fact"?

I didn't cast any aspersions - I asked a question based on info that I have gotten from here that the line is usually unmanned

Jumpy

C_Breeze wrote:

Well id give him a pat on the back,. why dont you report all the other plebs on the motorway that are crawling along in the overtaking lane , switching lanes without looking in the mirror, others that dont know how to merge properly, let alone all the L plates i see on the m50 ...why not report them!

OOOOh he drives fast and has a bit of balls and a nice red alfa Gt
...jealousy???

Yet another prime example of C_Breeze trolling the Motors forum.
Its almost expected now.

Kersh

I see your point OP, I see a blue primera do the same regularly, weaving in and out of gaps, on the m50. On one occasion taking to the hard shoulder.
This thread is typical of Boards - guy has genuine complaint/worry, and all he gets is high and mighty types telling him to get out of the fastlane.... how many times has the OP explained what was happening!! The gt driver is driving dangerously, over the speed limit on inside lane, then jumping in front causing cars to brake at 120kmh..... DANGEROUS... you all hear that.. DANGEROUS.
The truck on the inside can be doing a max of 90 kmh, so no point in pulling in to slow lane anyway.

C_Breeze

im not trolling , im just disagrreing with the post. I made a valid point. There are much worse examples of bad driving on the m50 than that , primarily people that cant actually drive properly.

I read these forums a lot , i only post when my point hasnt already been raised.

General_Zod

Hi Dyflin,

You should try ringing the Gardai (anonymously) tell them the story and threaten to take the law into your own hands if they don't do something about the jerk.

Recently on my road, where kids play, there were little boll!xes (local teens) in a car flying around the place, and doing handbrake turns etc...I went out and nicely asked them to give it up - they didn't.
So I rang the cops and told them to get down here and sort it before a child gets killed. Guess what - they never showed, the gits kept at it all day.
Next morning they started again, up and down the road at speed and handbraking. So I rang the Gardai again and said to come down and sort it out or I am taking a golf club to the car and occupants. 15 minutes later - blue flashing lights appeared.

Fey!

Zod - be aware that even if you ring them anonomously, afaik they can still get your number and trace you if they really want to! Also, if you did take a golf club to these little gurriers (I doubt that you would; I think you just saw it as a way to get the Gardai there), you're the one who'd end up in trouble. Even the threat may be enough to get you grief.

C Breeze - I have to agree with those who refer to you as a troll; jealous of an Alfa???

OP - I think you would be right to report him, primarily because he does this regularly. However, you seem to know a lot about this driver; do you know him by any chance?

General_Zod

Hi Fey

You are 100% correct - the threat was just for effect - and it worked.

It seems that in our society the criminal has greater protection than the law abiding members of society - therefore threatening the safety of a criminal will bring a more immediate response from the custodians of peace that we employ. (offtopic apologies)

lostinsuperfunk

There is no law against driving in the driving lane and then indicating right to overtake a truck and then moving back into the driving lane after the truck and the manouver is completed.

Not if the overtaking lane is full. Indicating doesn't confer a right of way.

TempestSabre

lostinsuperfunk wrote:

....Indicating doesn't confer a right of way.

Buses obviously don't agree....:D

lostinsuperfunk

Buses obviously excepted. And taxis too.

Fey!

Isn't it in the ROTR that you're supposed to let buses out?

\m/_(>_<)_\m/

kbannon wrote:

I didn't cast any aspersions - I asked a question based on info that I have gotten from here that the line is usually unmanned

oh sorry, i partly guessed i was going to be wrong anyway...
a good idea when asking a question is to put a "question mark(?)" after the question.

oh and this isn't off the topic... its reply to your post.

Tabnabs

Fey! wrote:

OP - I think you would be right to report him, primarily because he does this regularly. However, you seem to know a lot about this driver; do you know him by any chance?

I have reported him to local cops in DL, but they said ring 999 the next time you see him braking the law (eh, while I'm doing 120kph on the M50???).

I know the car and where he works (unless he lives down the lane and works nights?) because we travel an identical route to our respective works and I meet him at different stages. If I knew the guy, I'd let him know what I thought of his driving, maybe he doesn't realise it's as bad as it is?

I wouldn't mind, but who wants to rush to work???

Jumpy

C_Breeze wrote:

im not trolling , im just disagrreing with the post. I made a valid point. There are much worse examples of bad driving on the m50 than that , primarily people that cant actually drive properly.

I read these forums a lot , i only post when my point hasnt already been raised.

I thought your point was usually, I drive real fast, all you other people are losers. Go the speeders, forcing your way into a column of traffic moving at 120 isnt 'balls' its 'stupidity'

Revelation Joe

*As I understand it*, the Alfa was behind a number of cars in the overtaking lane, travelling at 120 km/h. He then ducked into the inside lane to pass them, almost hit the truck on the inside lane and moved back into the overtaking lane, very close to the cars he'd just passed?
He was therefore speeding, 'under'taking and driving without due care and attention. I'd call Traffic Watch if it was me

Del

mike65

Fey! wrote:

Zod - be aware that even if you ring them anonomously, afaik they can still get your number and trace you if they really want to! Also, if you did take a golf club to these little gurriers (I doubt that you would; I think you just saw it as a way to get the Gardai there), you're the one who'd end up in trouble. Even the threat may be enough to get you grief.

Your missing the point. Gardai hate paperwork so threatening criminal damage/GBH is a good way of getting the cops off thier arses. Its much quicker to shoo-off a bunch of teenagers then process several criminal charges!

Mike.

311

Revelation Joe wrote:

*As I understand it*, the Alfa was behind a number of cars in the overtaking lane, travelling at 120 km/h. He then ducked into the inside lane to pass them, almost hit the truck on the inside lane and moved back into the overtaking lane, very close to the cars he'd just passed?
He was therefore speeding, 'under'taking and driving without due care and attention. I'd call Traffic Watch if it was me

Del

Surely someone could ring that number and say they saw X speeding on a road that X travels on every day home from work.
That someone might have something against X and never have driven a car in their life.
Is the above not possible ?

Revelation Joe

_Brian_ wrote:

Surely someone could ring that number and say they saw X speeding on a road that X travels on every day home from work.
That someone might have something against X and never have driven a car in their life.
Is the above not possible ?

Of course it's possible...but it doesn't mean it's true in this case
I've rung Traffic Watch before and the driver in question was not someone I knew or had a grudge against, just someone who was driving very erratically and could be a danger to others.

Del

fletch

Revelation Joe wrote:

Of course it's possible...but it doesn't mean it's true in this case
I've rung Traffic Watch before and the driver in question was not someone I knew or had a grudge against, just someone who was driving very erratically and could be a danger to others.

Del

Was anything done about it? Like what's stoppin the other guy denying it? And then it's one persons word against the others.

MrPudding

fletch wrote:

Was anything done about it? Like what's stoppin the other guy denying it? And then it's one persons word against the others.

I would not be one persons word against anothers in this case. I don't think the op is looking for a prosecution to be taken against the guy on his word.

This guy seems to be a serial offender, the op is providing the cops with all the information they need to actually catch him driving dangerously.

MrP

fletch

MrPudding wrote:

I would not be one persons word against anothers in this case. I don't think the op is looking for a prosecution to be taken against the guy on his word.

This guy seems to be a serial offender, the op is providing the cops with all the information they need to actually catch him driving dangerously.

MrP

Yeh but I really cannot see the gardai having the time/resources to sit outside this guys house and follow him.

Revelation Joe

fletch wrote:

Was anything done about it? Like what's stoppin the other guy denying it? And then it's one persons word against the others.

Dunno if anything was done. The operator at Traffic Watch took the details and said they'd look into it. They didn't to call back to confirm *what* they'd done.
I always assumed that Traffic Watch was confidential like Crimestoppers...

Del

smash

tbh it sounds like you're stalking this guy.... just ignore him and stop following him. If I found out someone fella been following me and knew where I work, where I come from, the times I'm on the road I'd probaby take out a restraining order, or a baseball bat!!!

Wickedcat

eh?..you've met one of the kings of the road! these guys woould really piss you up.nonetheless, if luck won't be good to them..pretty soon they'll be taking their own dose of medicine..:D just wait & see.:cool:

Conar

From the OP's description I would agree that the guy was wrong in this situation.
Perhaps he didn't mean it to be so dodgy though.

I am actually quite prone to undertaking myself. I can't stand sitting behind 3 or 4 cars in the overtaking lane doing 115-119km/h while there is plenty of room in the driving lane and traffic moving at the same speed.
I find that a lot of the time though when I have checked that all looks safe and go for the undertaking manouver that the guy up front spots me and puts the boot down.
Maybe this happened and the driver was caught off guard so the guy up front ended up having to jam on to counteract the craziness he helped create.
Its a possibility.

I understand people having issues with undertakers etc but really at the end of the day the sensible thing to do is stay out of their way (use the overtaking lane only when necessary and move in instantly) so they do not cause you any harm, and report them if you feel they are committing a crime.
Also you should try not to tak it so personally when people do silly things on the road, as it distracts you and a ditracted driver is a bad driver.