Dangerous Driving - Phone number

dellas1979

Is there a number you can ring to report dangerous driving?

I had an accident yesterday on a country road. I pulled in as far as I could and stopped. He was flying it. He couldnt stop. He took the wing mirror off my car.

He stopped. I reversed back. I said to him "why were you going so fast, you took the wing mirror off my car"? he said "What do you want me to do, buy you a new f*ckin mirror? There is no white line on the road - so its 50/50". He then drove off.

I didnt get the chance to get a name or insurance details - nothing - the only thing I got was a reg number.

I would have rang the gardas but he just drove off!

I only managed to ring the gardas at 10.30 last night (at the time of the incident I was on my way to an exam).

He said that what he said about 50/50 was true. But that I should have called the gardai. I said but shur he sped off! I didnt get any details except the reg number. I said he was flying it! he said how can you prove it? I said there was a space on the road for him to pull into, but he was going so fast he missed it / couldnt slow down.

The garda said basically that to pursue it I would have to make a statement. I asked if he could do anything about dangerous driving (warn him etc) he said no.

I am at a loss as to what to do. It would give me satisfaction at least to know that he is on a database somewhere as someone reporting him for dangerous driving. Will it do any good?

Thanks

Bluetonic

dellas1979 wrote:

It would give me satisfaction at least to know that he is on a database somewhere as someone reporting him for dangerous driving. Will it do any good?

Your word against his unless you are willing to go to court to testify.

dellas1979

So what is the point of having that number to ring then?

(does anyone know it?)

Jocksy

He is dead right. Who is to tell which party was in the wrong? Why waste your time trying to do something about it.

NutJob

dellas1979 wrote:

Will it do any good?

Usually no. I know someone who gets reported at least once a month and unless he's stopped by a guard at the scene hell continue to get away with it.

But you would at least know that he's in the garda system so they will watch out for him.

markpb

Garda Traffic Watch - 1890205805

Like the others have said, it comes down to your word against his and they can't do anything unless you make a statement.

swingking

I was walking beside the four courts and suddenly, an articulated lorry, mounted the path in order to pass someone on the inside. Nearly killed me!

I got his reg, went to the garda station and was told there was nothing that can be done

The fuuker should have been in the port-tunnel, that's why we pay for it. To keep the articulated lorries out of the city

:mad: :mad:

markpb

swingking wrote:

I got his reg, went to the garda station and was told there was nothing that can be done

If you have his reg, I'm surprised they said that. It's possible that he had a permit to be in the city centre and it's not up to you to check that. You should definitely tell the gardai you want to file a complaint against him if you have the correct reg. There's nothing they can do without a complaint (and willingness to press charges) from you.

Also if you have the company name, you could give them a call and tell them what happened.

John Mason

there is some loon who drives around my place between 7pm and 9pm at 10 miles an hour who only has one working headlight and no rear lights - i phoned the police with her reg. number and they said they would send a car out to look for her - its hardly difficult to find this car but no everynight she heads off sometimes she just sits in the middle of the road for hour or so

nothing .............its a waste of time phoning the cops for any reason whatsoever :mad:

Overheal

you have his Reg; why hesitate? Thats exactly what is wrong with this country: everyone is too afraid to take any action without calling an emergency session of the Dail or something to that effect.

Just walk in, hand them the number and file your grievance. Worked for me when I had my bicycle run down while I was still on it. Didnt even have to show them any proof or witnesses. Got my money back too.

Sully

The Garda Traffic Watch just puts you onto the cops in the area the offense took place.

I had an issue once when a driver was putting extreme pressure on me to move into the hard sholder to let her pass me out. When I got any chance, she wouldnt move of and she eventually passed me out dangerously on a band - along with 5 other cars.

I reported her but told the officer I didnt want to press any charges. They told me they would be calling to the owner of the cars house and cautioning her.

Not to sure why people are reporting different. I mean, if you think a car is speeding and you report it - they have to do something? Thats like to say "Well, unless we catch them we cant do nothing about it"

Bob the Builder

Don't bother. It's a dead wire. the expense to pay for his name to be put in the books would be massive(legal, court). Don't bother. Just find his name, and check on a website like www.cartell.ie to see was his car ever doing anything wrong. Useless advice from me, but there's not much you can do.

~nevF

445279.ie

I've seen a couple of cases that went to court where the person was charged with either careless driving or driving without reasonable consideration.

One case was struck out because the complainant didn't turn up to give evidence.

In the other case the guy was ordered to pay to the poor box to avoid a conviction. He was a cocky git. The judge congratulated the complainant for coming and giving evidence. Said there was more people like him needed.

Beelzebub

Overheal wrote:

you have his Reg; why hesitate? Thats exactly what is wrong with this country: everyone is too afraid to take any action without calling an emergency session of the Dail or something to that effect.

Just walk in, hand them the number and file your grievance. Worked for me when I had my bicycle run down while I was still on it. Didnt even have to show them any proof or witnesses. Got my money back too.

I agree.

I reported a guy for dangerous driving once. Almost ran me over. The Garda, contacted the driver and the driver apologised for being in the wrong.
The Garda phoned me and asked me if I wanted to pursue it, but as no actual harm had been done I declined.

I believe that the Gardai have to take a report if you wish to make one providing you have at least a reg number.

TheNog

It is no harm in reporting dangerous driving or speeding to the Traffic Watch. Even if you do not want to proceed with a complaint the driver can be cautioned as mentioned earlier. In all cases the report is logged onto the computer system and is kept there. If at a later stage the driver is observed by a member driving dangerously or speeding, the reg number can be checked. THis can all go towards the member making up his/her mind whether to proceed with a case. If there is no records and the driver made a minor mistake, then they will probably be let off with a warning.

people on our roads may actually drive safer if they know that other drivers are watching and reporting dangerous behaviour.