Almost knocked down (have it on video). Any points going to Gardai?

mrcheez

I was travelling on this notorious junction in Dublin along the quays near Christchurch at the weekend. I was heading straight rather than left.
As I crossed the yellow junction box a car attempted to overtake me to go left, then almost side-swiped me forcing me into the left-turn lane. It was a narrow escape. He almost mounted the traffic island.

The car should have waited to see if I was going straight or left. I've actually been hit at this junction previously (no camera back then).

Nevertheless I got the incident on my bike cam, and got off my bike to record his reg plate (I strongly recommend everyone gets a bike cam).

As there was no direct collision, but rather it is a video of some extremely dangerous driving, is there any point going to the gardai with it?

Alek

Absolutely yes.

Green&Red

Absolutely!

Mad4simmental

Do you pay road tax for the bike? Insurance?

mrcheez

Guh? ... what's this got to do with anything?

zl1whqvjs75cdy

He's either a WUM or making a joke. Either way ignore him.

Jawgap

Yes.

Obviously make sure you let them know you have video footage and be clear that you are willing to go to court.

If you're not willing to go to court, then there's no real point in contacting them.

The Metropolitan Police in London have a facility allowing you to submit video footage - pity the Guards wouldn't implement something like that here.

Jawgap

Mad4simmental wrote: »

Do you pay road tax for the bike? Insurance?

Road tax - there's no such thing. I can't speak for others but I've paid VAT on my bike - does that count :rolleyes:

Insurance - yes.

mrcheez

Not sure how modernised the Gardai stations are, but do I need to bring along the video player, or would they have an SD card reader in the station?

CramCycle

Mad4simmental wrote: »

Do you pay road tax for the bike? Insurance?

MOD VOICE: One warning only, try and drag this thread off topic again and find your self perma banned. No more responses to the road tax issue, any questions by PM only.

maximoose

I'd bring the player just to be safe :pac:

Kintarō Hattori

mrcheez wrote: »

Not sure how modernised the Gardai stations are, but do I need to bring along the video player, or would they have an SD card reader in the station?

Probably not great. Copy the video to your smartphone to show them (assuming it can play it back) and bring the card as well.

norrie rugger

Send the video to George Hook also, him with his anti-cycling campaign!!

(from a non cyclist)

CramCycle

mrcheez wrote: »

Not sure how modernised the Gardai stations are, but do I need to bring along the video player, or would they have an SD card reader in the station?

I brought in a video of multiple drug deals happening on O'Connell St. They would not take any external device so I actually had to burn a DVD for them.

mrcheez

It makes me wonder how likely such incidents would happen if I had a bright reflective sticker on my back saying "Video in operation"

Sleephead

donkeyoaty0099 wrote: »

He's either a WUM or making a joke. Either way ignore him.

MOD VOICE: Off topic

Wishbone Ash

mrcheez wrote: »

It makes me wonder how likely such incidents would happen if I had a bright reflective sticker on my back saying "Video in operation"

I don't think it would make any difference. The driver may have had poor observational skills and probably wasn't aware of you presence until it was too late. If he/she didn't see you, they're unlikely to see a sticker on your back.

gman2k

mrcheez wrote: »

It makes me wonder how likely such incidents would happen if I had a bright reflective sticker on my back saying "Video in operation"

Maybe get one of these instead...

zl1whqvjs75cdy

I'm a cyclist and a motorist and I'd think those vest may just serve to incite rage in drivers so I'd be wary. Just my 2 cents.

On a side note I've only recently got into cycling so these road traffic incidents are more interesting to me now. Cycling does seem extremely dangerous, particularly on some of Ireland's more windy back roads. I'm slightly unnerved by it I have to say.

Wishbone Ash

donkeyoaty0099 wrote: »

...Cycling does seem extremely dangerous, particularly on some of Ireland's more windy back roads...

The vast majority of deaths reported are those of motorists.

norrie rugger

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

The vast majority of deaths reported are those of motorists.

Given the level of motorists and the relative speeds travelled, not surprising.


I would love if these types of threads stopped descending into "well motorists..." and "well cyclists..." types of bitching.
Sometimes feels like the soccer forum but ah well.


OP, if you are prepared to follow it through (with a potential court appearance) then, by all means, bring it to the authorities.

mrcheez

norrie rugger wrote: »

OP, if you are prepared to follow it through (with a potential court appearance) then, by all means, bring it to the authorities.

Yes I really would like to take it further as the guy even tried to overtake on the left after not succeeding in overtaking on the right!

Thankfully the traffic light had turned red at that point at which I got off my bike and "calmly" pointed the camera at his reg before I moved off (I'm sure there was some un-postable language involved on my part)

Iwannahurl

mrcheez wrote: »

I was travelling on this notorious junction in Dublin along the quays near Christchurch at the weekend.

What's the speed limit there?

RobertFoster

Iwannahurl wrote: »

What's the speed limit there?

50km/h according to this map (pdf). I thought it was 30km/h for most of the quays, but only between Capel St. and Tara St. it seems.

Jawgap

Kintarō Hattori wrote: »

Probably not great. Copy the video to your smartphone to show them (assuming it can play it back) and bring the card as well.

Bring a player but don't copy the video - it complicates the chain of evidence.

Just be warned that if they do decide to proceed they'll almost certainly want the memory card and might want the camera for a bit so it can be examined to allow them to counter any potential argument in court regarding tampering.

LennoxR

I wouldn't bother. These things happen, but nobody's hurt. Just forget about it and walk away.

eeeee

That is a hideous junction, I have had a few near misses there myself.

I would say definitely go to the Guards, at the very least it may cause one inconsiderate [unprintable] driver to become a bit more aware and considerate. May.

I too thought the 30kmph limit went to Heuston? I am wrong though, I can't think of a sign along there that states this though.

Horrible to get a shock like that, I hope you have been suitably looked after with much tea

Bepolite

Would you not maintain a road position where you are on the outside of the yellow box until the bus lane starts and then move to the left allowing cars to travel down your inside?

Unknown Soldier

mrcheez wrote: »

As there was no direct collision, but rather it is a video of some extremely dangerous driving, is there any point going to the gardai with it?

If it were me OP, I probably wouldn't bother. I have my car and bike cam to back me up, if ever (hopefully not) needed, not to highlight dangerous driving (which I have a few carcams of)

That's just me though!
Don't get me wrong, I would always do my civic duty when appropriate.

eeeee

Bepolite wrote: »

Would you not maintain a road position where you are on the outside of the yellow box until the bus lane starts and then move to the left allowing cars to travel down your inside?

Even at that I have cars crossing into me in my experience. It's a horrible junction. In theory this should work, and it more often than not does. But in practice it doesn't always.

mrbike

Bepolite wrote: »

Would you not maintain a road position where you are on the outside of the yellow box until the bus lane starts and then move to the left allowing cars to travel down your inside?

It's not really possible at that junction. You've usually got traffic in the lane beside the yellow box flying past. You usually end up having to take a primary position on the yellow box, and hope you don't get left hooked. It's one of the worst junctions on the quays for cyclists.

Bepolite

I live just down the road from it. That whole area of the Quays is dangerous and poorly thought out for motorists as well as cyclists. In all honesty I'm not a biker myself (too many close calls), but the standard of hazard perception amongst drivers is terrible!

aprilmarch

Let it be OP. Be thankful you had a lucky escape

I really don't see the point of going to the Gardai - nothing happened.

Be more careful next time.

07Lapierre

donkeyoaty0099 wrote: »

I'm a cyclist and a motorist and I'd think those vest may just serve to incite rage in drivers so I'd be wary. Just my 2 cents.

On a side note I've only recently got into cycling so these road traffic incidents are more interesting to me now. Cycling does seem extremely dangerous, particularly on some of Ireland's more windy back roads. I'm slightly unnerved by it I have to say.

Cycling home this evening i stopped at a T junction. I was turning right. No traffic coming from my right, a long line of traffic comming from my left. I thought i was going to have to wait a while but then a car flashed his lights and stopped short of the junction. I nodded in appreciation and turned right as the traffic was now stopped behind the car that flashed its lights.

Whats my point? Cycling is not dangerous and the vast majority of motorists are polite and courteous.

buffalo

aprilmarch wrote: »

Let it be OP. Be thankful you had a lucky escape

I really don't see the point of going to the Gardai - nothing happened.

Be more careful next time.

Be more careful? Ah yes, blame the victim. Let those indulging in dangerous driving practices get away scot-free, and the rest of us should wear helmets and hi-vis to improve our chances of survival. That's the spirit!

mcmoustache

aprilmarch wrote: »

Let it be OP. Be thankful you had a lucky escape

I really don't see the point of going to the Gardai - nothing happened.

Be more careful next time.

Was that you in the car?

dastardly00

If it was me, I'd go to the Gardaí.

Mech1

I have been watching the cycling forum on and off for a few years now, Im not gonna bother anymore my mind is madeup now that I see users advising cyclists to go to the Gardai about an accident that "nearly" happened.

If bikes had number plates the Gardai would know me personally and be overrun with work if I brought in the everyday cycle footage recorded by my car's dashcam.

mrcheez

Mech1 wrote: »

I have been watching the cycling forum on and off for a few years now, Im not gonna bother anymore my mind is madeup now that I see users advising cyclists to go to the Gardai about an accident that "nearly" happened.

If bikes had number plates the Gardai would know me personally and be overrun with work if I brought in the everyday cycle footage recorded by my car's dashcam.

1 erratic cyclist controlling a 15 kg bike will cause more harm to himself than anyone else on the road (save of course for cars that swerve to avoid him... see next point)

1 erratic driver controlling a 1.5 tonne car...

The point is the driver tried to make an extremely dangerous maneuver (he was tailing a taxi which initially almost clipped me!) and to have such a man in control of a 1.5 tonne death machine causes sufficient concern for me to go to the authorities.

Zyzz

These threads never go anywhere :rolleyes:

mrcheez

aprilmarch wrote: »

Be more careful next time.

Yes I'll be sure to consult my crystal ball next time so that I arrive 5 minutes after any lunatics have passed by

cython

Mech1 wrote: »

I have been watching the cycling forum on and off for a few years now, Im not gonna bother anymore my mind is madeup now that I see users advising cyclists to go to the Gardai about an accident that "nearly" happened.

If bikes had number plates the Gardai would know me personally and be overrun with work if I brought in the everyday cycle footage recorded by my car's dashcam.

So do you effectively boycott the motoring forum too because some users there have recommended calling traffic watch for driving that was dangerous but only "nearly" caused an incident? I'm figuring not.....

Jawgap

Mech1 wrote: »

I have been watching the cycling forum on and off for a few years now, Im not gonna bother anymore my mind is madeup now that I see users advising cyclists to go to the Gardai about an accident that "nearly" happened.

If bikes had number plates the Gardai would know me personally and be overrun with work if I brought in the everyday cycle footage recorded by my car's dashcam.

Are you suggesting the Guards should only get involved only when there is a physical injury?

In my own case a Guard witnessed a jeep nearly wipe me out - there were no injuries, but he pursued and stopped the driver, got their details and when I caught up he asked if I wanted to make a statement and would I see the matter through. Given it was a fairly trouser filling experience I said 'yes' on both counts.

The OP can take his video, talk to the Guards and if there is no case to answer then there is no case to answer. Likewise, even the Guard decides to prosecute the judge can look at the video and based on it, and other evidence, arrive at a decision.

It's not a foregone conclusion that the matter will go anywhere just because it is reported.

norrie rugger

LennoxR wrote: »

I wouldn't bother. These things happen, but nobody's hurt. Just forget about it and walk away.

So wait until someone is hurt, then proceed?

ghogie91

Slap the video up on youtube and give us a look

mrbike

mrbike wrote: »

It's not really possible at that junction. You've usually got traffic in the lane beside the yellow box flying past. You usually end up having to take a primary position on the yellow box, and hope you don't get left hooked. It's one of the worst junctions on the quays for cyclists.

It's a shocking junction. I used to cycle every day along the quays there and you'd be in fear of getting hooked every time.

There's absolutely no need for the sliproad, they should get rid of it and force a slow left turn. Another example of traffic infrastructure being designed to HELP cars drive fast in urban areas, rather than slow them down.

mrcheez

ghogie91 wrote: »

Slap the video up on youtube and give us a look

I'm sure that wouldn't jeopardise the case at all (if there was one). Also the reg plate is on the video and I don't have time to blur it etc etc

Darkglasses

mrcheez wrote: »

I'm sure that wouldn't jeopardise the case at all (if there was one). Also the reg plate is on the video and I don't have time to blur it etc etc

Not a good idea if you're considering using it as evidence.

mrcheez

ok statement handed in and thanks for suggestion to burn video to DVD as it proved invaluable.

TonyStark

mrcheez wrote: »

ok statement handed in and thanks for suggestion to burn video to DVD as it proved invaluable.

Best of luck! Hopefully the driver in question will have an attitude adjustment over the coming days.

RainyDay

Darkglasses wrote: »

Not a good idea if you're considering using it as evidence.

Why not?