Near Misses Thread Volume 2 (So close you can feel it)

Yes, report it. It helps that he actually did hit you so you can’t be fobbed off on that front

What camera is that? - need to get one asap. Too many incidents

I also called traffic watch and was told they are only putting it into an excel. Not sure why she bothered taking the details - if I call the station now Im doing her job!

It's such an arse of a system having to report in person, what if you were passing through and had cycled home a good distance. It's literally as many obstacles as possible in the hopes of everyone dropping the report.

I had a similar instance on the quays last night with a left turning van that side swept me in the cycle lane with no indicator and hit my hand and only for I turned left with the van would probably be under it. Rang traffic watch and reported the case and about 2 months later got a call from a garda in Bridewell St who was forwarded the case. He declared there was no cctv covering the busy junction and since it was so long since past anyway they wouldn't be able to retrieve it. Furthermore and more comically he said the van was registered down the country and likely wouldn't be used to Dublin traffic so I guess that gave them carte blanche for nearly running over another road user.

At least calling traffic watch there's a report of the case and it's sent to the corresponding station eventually but all pot luck if the investigating garda is actually interested in following up.

No experience personally but that's the impression I get alright from the few reported cased I'd read about. The judicial system needs a serious shake up, too much subjectivity and thus grounds for appeal given the whims of some out of touch judge.

UK looks to have a more proactive system in terms of the police issuing fines and penalty points and justice system prosecuting and convicting the more serious offenses but this recent case throws a lot of that out the window and similar to what you'd expect here with every excuse under/including the sun used:

https://road.cc/content/news/mechanic-escapes-ban-after-cutting-corner-cyclist-293891

I’ve had drivers overtake me like that and then stop dead in their lane waiting for me to pass on the inside. Invariably I stop because what the hell am I supposed to do, carry on and trust they won’t change their mind.

So they get it half right. Pity they don’t go the whole way and avoid the overtake altogether.

Last evening I got a punishment pass whilst out solo. The van actually intentionally sped up and skimmed me by inches for maximum effect. Incident happened coming into a small village which I generally ride center lane to discourage the close passes and was probably riding close to the speed limit in any case as its slight downhill.

Normally don't react but this was too close and very much intentional based on the face he actually increased speed and then skimmed me.

There's lights up ahead and if red I know I will catch up with him. I pull up alongside the passenger door and from a distance ask him what the F he is playing at. He has a hammer in his hands and then starts swiping out the passenger window. I'm at a safe distance ahead and make hand gestures etc as am irate at this point.

He has rage in his eyes and when pulls away and makes a small movement towards me in the van. I'm convinced this looney could potentially hit me with the van so want get behind the van asap.

He swings off to the right and I continue straight. I got the registration and given his reactions still concerned he could come after me so take a detour from planned spin.

Made a statement down the local garda station. May not pursue it but want cause this knob as much disruption as possible but given his reactions I doubt Garda turning up at his door would bother him.

tbf the guy in the station was fine . It was the guy on the phone who was dismissive and questioning everything

I dont know - he doesn't process it apparently. There was dangerous driving - was told by the garda on the phone its not considered dangerous driving unless its deliberate. Like how would he know that without being there!? There seems to be a general "can't be arsed approach". I didn't hang around anyway. There were all sorts of characters there :)

I did make a statement. Garda got back to me next day looking for date/time which I could give him exactly as I was recording the ride with GPS. What I said was he thought it would not get categorised as a traffic collision as no damage to bike/myself.

what was the incident?