CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

anonymity when reporting dangerous driver?

(15 posts)
  • Started 11 years ago by 531
  • Latest reply from wee folding bike
  • This topic is not resolved

  1. 531
    Member

    Three of us were cycling out of town this morning on Milton Road W. We were literally attacked by a small red fiat. He swerved toward each of us in turn (we were in the bus/cycle lane), in my own case coming within a foot of my pedal. It was clear he was on some sort or rampage.

    The odd thing is that this was completely unprovoked. I think he joined the road at Duddingston Park and found himself behind my partner (wearing hi viz, and peddling steadily along in the green paint), then he started honking his horn and decided he would 'teach the cyclists a lesson' by giving them a scare. It was very scary, I would say, but even more for the car he almost hit when he swerved back into the roadway after buzzing me...that car also had to brake suddenly and swerve to avoid a collision.

    The thing is I got a license plate number, but I am slightly worried about filing the report. This is a dangerous individual. Will the police protect our anonymity?

    Posted 11 years ago #

  2. custard
    Member

    unless others report it. I doubt it would hold weight without a name behind it. Why woud you be worried?

    Posted 11 years ago #

  3. Snowy
    Member

    The fact you are afraid of reprisals will tell the police something about exactly how scary this person was.

    Each of you should make a complaint, with the others as witnesses. If the driver was doing this to you, they sound quite likely to have been doing it to others either today or previously.

    Think of it this way - the police may have a note against this driver already and your own complaint may significant help get them off the road.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  4. rbrtwtmn
    Member

    My thought would be to approach the police in as formal a way as possible (partly so they have had a chance to think how to respond before you talk, and also so its clear that you are serious about the issue), but to actually raise this issue with them before passing on the registration details. You may then decide not to take things further - but at least you may have left a formal record behind you that cyclists are sometimes too scared to make a complaint.

    Also be careful with your language. 'Literally attacked' and 'rampage' are quite strong. I do understand why you say this, but it might be better to stick to a description of what happened and to note how it made you feel. Don't misunderstand me - I'm not trying to take away from the seriousness of this, just thinking that a description of how this made you feel will carry across to non-cyclists better than the words you used above. Also suggest you report this ASAP and that you each sit down independently and write down what happened now (before telling the story to anyone else). In the event that something ended up in court you don't want it to be possible for anyone to suggest that your story changed after on-line chatter.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  5. slowcoach
    Member

    I'd advise reporting it to the police asap. It would have been better to report it at the time - even an anonymous report then might have got police watching for driver and stopped to check for drink/drugs as well as behaviour.
    As others say, the police might already know about this driver and need just another report to be persuaded to take action. You might be asked if you are willing to go to court to testify and if you are not that might prevent any charges being brought. But even so the Police might be able to identify and advise this driver not to be so stupid (at the very least) in future.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  6. DaveC
    Member

    Report it. Report separately with other two as witnesses as snowy said. Don't be afraid of any reprisals as the police won't give your details unless it comes to court. Also say your nervous about reporting as you feel vunerable about a reprisal and they'll treat you carefully.

    More importantly the perpetrator may not just scare another cyclist so its important to report it.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  7. wee folding bike
    Member

    I'm easily identifiable in Airdrie and I've still reported these things.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  8. wee folding bike
    Member

    I'm easily identifiable in Airdrie and I've still reported these things.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  9. chdot
    Admin

    So good they named it twice.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  10. wee folding bike
    Member

    Well I am that easy to spot.

    Tomorrow for the second time in 8 years I'll be using a car for work. I'm going to see Sparks with a friend in the evening after school.

    Yes, THAT Sparks.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  11. PS
    Member

    @wfb I saw Sparks at the Picture House earlier in the year. You're in for a treat.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  12. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    What DaveC said, 100%.

    The police are obliged to keep personal data confidential (as anyone is). I'd have serious doubts it would ever get anywhere near the driver being charged, unless it's on video. Obviously, as is pointed out, you have two of you to provide separate witnesses.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  13. wee folding bike
    Member

    PS,

    Did Ron laugh or say anything?

    Posted 11 years ago #

  14. 531
    Member

    Just a follow up to say that I did report this. No I don't expect too much to happen, but as some have mentioned it might be one more piece of evidence against a bad driver.

    I think people should avoid red fiats as a sensible precaution.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  15. wee folding bike
    Member

    Someone in the crowd shouted "Ron Mael ya sexy spectacled man".

    That made Ron smile. He also danced in a way only Ron could.

    I may just a little hyped after seeing him this evening.

    Posted 11 years ago #

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