"and then it might finally happen here"
Ask your MSPs to ask @MathesonMichael what @policescotland is planning to do.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Cycling News
West Midlands Police just raised the bar...
(125 posts)-
Posted 7 years ago #
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The West Midlands police traffic team has also commented on the HGV video: "Let's just say we won't be using it, we might use it to show drivers not what to do though."
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Related thread -
Posted 7 years ago # -
These prosecution notices result from camera footage submitted by cyclists and not as part of the new police initiative.
West Midlands Police are setting an example to every other force in the country.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Interesting tweet by WM police yesterday:
Posted 7 years ago # -
And a potentially promising Tweet today:
Posted 7 years ago # -
North Wales Police following the example now:
http://road.cc/content/news/208460-north-wales-police-latest-launch-close-pass-operation
Including inprovements to how people can submit video evidence.
Police Scotland next please.
Posted 7 years ago # -
"Police Scotland next please."
This.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Not sure about that North West Wales Police example. That gap would be acceptable in slow moving town traffic ... but on a 60mph single carriageway country road? Or the 40mph (ha!) Maybury Road?
And I thought the guidelines were you should leave as much space as if you were overtaking a car ... I always thought that meant position your car as if you were overtaking another car (ie you'll (safely) be on the other side of the road), not that you should leave as much space between the bike and your car as you would when overtaking a car.
Posted 7 years ago # -
@barnton-to-town I've often wondered about the ambiguity of "leaving as much space as if overtaking another car" or similar. I'm fairly sure that it means the former of your descriptions, but I suspect that most people assume the latter. "Leave a full car's width when overtaking" is less ambiguous, aside from presenting the opportunity for another vehicle to nip through the gap in between the two.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Of course if you are cycling in a strong primary position (ie where a driver would be travelling) the a car in the other lane could potentially be less than 1.5m away from you.
Posted 7 years ago # -
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/cops-set-crackdown-dangerous-drivers-9105575
Looks promising, although Alex Johnstone MSP is concerned about those poor otherwise law abiding motorists getting points and fines.
Posted 7 years ago # -
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It does not specify where on the road cyclists should ride but safety experts believe bikes should be one metre from the pavement.
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Oh really(?)
Posted 7 years ago # -
"leave as much space as if overtaking another car" unambiguous when taken in context of accompanying photo in Highway Code booklet/website. Cyclist is still gutter-riding but car is fully in the next lane.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Posted 7 years ago #
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http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/cops-set-crackdown-dangerous-drivers-9105575
"A similar scheme is being piloted in the West Midlands and is due to last three months."
Why 3 momths? Why doesn't it last until it achieves meaningful behavioural change?
After all, isn't that the goal?
Posted 7 years ago # -
@chdot
"It does not specify where on the road cyclists should ride but safety experts believe bikes should be one metre from the pavement."
And if there's a parked car between you and the pavement? Then what?
Is it 1m from the near side (to you) of the car?
And, if it is, will the police be prosecuting the multitude of drivers shouting abuse at its undercover cyclists?
Posted 7 years ago # -
On the distance from the kerb or parked cars: I'm happy with 1 metre from the kerb provided the road surface is smooth (unlikely in Edinburgh); when passing parked cars, 1.5 metres is much safer because most car doors seem to be about a metre wide. Problem is,(especially Edinburgh) 1.5 metres outside the parked car often puts you in the ruts of some poorly maintained road repair, so you have to ride further out.
Posted 7 years ago # -
"Why 3 momths? Why doesn't it last until it achieves meaningful behavioural change?"
I think it's three months of 'education' then fines in more cases (only the 'worst' ones are being prosecuted during the "pilot").
Posted 7 years ago # -
Maybe the police will "discover" that it's pretty easy to spot drivers texting & handheld use while riding a bike.
Posted 7 years ago # -
I think it will be like the ASL campaign a while back. 3 months of education then back to non enforcement.
I would love to be wrong but very much doubt I will be.
Posted 7 years ago # -
"I think it will be like the ASL campaign a while back. 3 months of education then back to non enforcement."
That was my thought, too.
I've long realised the police need undercover cops (or some sort of "community cops" with cameras) riding around Edinburgh to catch offences against cyclists.
My guess is that, after 3 months, they'll get back into their cars and forget all about it.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Still setting the example for all other forces to follow:
https://trafficwmp.wordpress.com/2015/05/21/mobile-phonesdriving-and-fomo-fear-of-missing-out/
Taking every opportunity to protect vulnerable road users from dangerous drivers, 3 of this week's many 3rd party footage based prosecutions
Posted 7 years ago # -
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CMPG - Road Policing (@Trafficwmp)
11/11/2016, 15:59
For those who are unaware this is the legal definition of "Hard pressed motorists" - "Drivers who are expected to obey the law" #nuffsaid"
Posted 7 years ago # -
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CMPG - Road Policing (@Trafficwmp)
12/11/2016, 11:31
@ridingtheroaduk If you run a camera and are the victim of an offence please submit as per this blog https://trafficwmp.wordpress.com/2015/07/08/lights-camera-action"
Posted 7 years ago # -
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CMPG - Road Policing (@Trafficwmp)
12/11/2016, 11:32
@ridingtheroaduk We genuinely welcome every opportunity to deal with those who endanger other road users on our regions roads. #safecycling"
Posted 7 years ago # -
I notice that, unlike West Midlands, Police Scotland aren't tweeting any updates about the number of drivers they've pulled over in their blitz on close passes.
It makes me wonder if they're even doing it. Or whether the whole close pass thing just got shelved.
Posted 7 years ago # -
"their blitz on close passes"
Missed that...
If you want to see another variety of police twittering -
Posted 7 years ago # -
gibbo - I was talking to someone at the weekend who mentioned the police were educating drivers in Stockbridge about safe passing distance.
I doubt there will be any prosecutions though.
Posted 7 years ago # -
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CMPG - Road Policing (@Trafficwmp)
29/11/2016, 20:49
We are holding a #GiveSpaceBeSafe #OpClosePass workshop for other Forces / Authorities & Road Safety Practicionershttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/give-space-be-safe-closer-passing-workshop-tickets-29774226513
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Posted 7 years ago # -
If you want to see another variety of police twittering -
https://mobile.twitter.com/LevenmouthPol
Thanks for this!
Posted 7 years ago #
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