Driving while holding a bowl of cereal in one hand is perfectly legal?
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Cycling News
Operation Close Pass in Edinburgh
(630 posts)-
Posted 7 years ago #
-
@Rob - although the offence is driving whilst not in proper control - you have to demonstrate how it was not in proper control. What may seem obvious to me or you will not be to the court!
Posted 7 years ago # -
“will not be to the court!”
About “proof” not common sense(?)
“Proper control” while using one hand must be almost impossible to prove.
Eating, smoking and turning on the radio while driving are not actually illegal.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Eating, smoking and turning on the radio while driving are not actually illegal.
Isn't it the case that some drivers have been prosecuted or given spot fines for eating a sandwich while at the wheel. Surely easier to show that trying to eat a bowl of cereal is less in control than sandwich eating.
Posted 7 years ago # -
"
Cambridgeshire Police also reject scheme as it could mean motorists have to slow down behind cyclists
"
Posted 7 years ago # -
I've discovered a method for eliminating close passing completely.
Just cycled to my brother's father-in-law's carrying a pole pruner. Looks remarkably like a Lochaber axe.
Wide berth from all and sundry.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Mounted point-forward or swept out to the side?
Posted 7 years ago # -
There was a technique I recall to mount a little flag jutting out from under the saddle, not far - only a bit more than shoulder width, but I haven't seen one for ages. Seemed to work quite well to reduce close passes. Link to Nudge thread.
Posted 7 years ago # -
rode back from the bike shop with a chain set in my right hand (slowly) got loads of room!
Posted 7 years ago # -
Sort of like this @steveo?
(edited AGAIN. be smaller, images!)
Posted 7 years ago # -
Is this thing still going?
That's the question I was asking myself today when, over the space of 8km I was subjected to about a dozen close passes.
I wonder if Edin police will publish figs about cycling injuries the way West Midland police did. WMP had a 20% reduction in serious injuries. I suspect that, if seasonally adjusted, Edin will be close to zero.
Posted 7 years ago # -
WMP have been running the activity for over a year now so can make year on year comparisons. I’ve got a Police Scotland pedal cycle casualty analysis for 2016-2017 so will need to wait until next year to draw year on year comparisons for Edinburgh.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Mounted point-forward or swept out to the side?
Point forward. Tempted to whirl it round my head at one point.
Posted 7 years ago # -
“need to wait until next year to draw year on year comparisons for Edinburgh”
Worth waiting for (and good reason to keep OCP running).
Posted 7 years ago # -
@chdot
Worth waiting for (and good reason to keep OCP running).
A good reason if it's actually working.
It's meant to be educational, but there are posts on this thread where people were told by police that the operation had ended.
It begs the question, if this is an police awareness programme and even the police aren't aware of it, how much traction has it achieved?
Posted 7 years ago # -
more like this @unhurt. It was filthy!
Posted 7 years ago # -
Was cycling (stuggling) up Kaimes Road yesterday. At a chicane where I had priority over oncoming (downhill) traffic, a police care came ploughing through and squeezed by me anyway.
the driver did wave. wasn't sure if that was an apology or a greeting though.
If the Police willfuly drive like that, what chance is there of the general public getting the message?
Posted 7 years ago # -
@steveo: Good thing posting dirty pictures isn't technically against the forum rules.
Posted 7 years ago # -
It's meant to be educational, but there are posts on this thread where people were told by police that the operation had ended.
I've been told this a couple of times, and it seems to have been a misunderstanding which stems from "Operation Close Pass" having two distinct parts - police officers educating close passers in situ, and dealing with public reporting.
I don't expect every sergeant to know the ins and outs of every operation, so I won't hold that against them.
I'm less forgiving of officers shrugging their shoulders when I show them footage of drivers overtaking at 60mph with oncoming traffic and solid white lines or suggesting to me that I shouldn't cycle in primary position on 20mph. But I think @Dom D is fighting the good fight internally as well...
Posted 7 years ago # -
@Frenchy
I don't expect every sergeant to know the ins and outs of every operation, so I won't hold that against them.
IMO, it speaks volumes. IMO, if you asked West Midlands police officers about their Operation Close Pass, the % that would be aware of it would be very high.
If you can't create awareness internally, what chance do you have with people who aren't thinking about policing?
But I think @Dom D is fighting the good fight internally as well...
I suspect he is. IMO, the two main issues are:
(A) Police communications. If you go back and look at how WMP communicated - and kept communicating - you'll see it was far superior.
(B) The amount of resources spent on this. It feels very much like, "If we have nothing else for Dom to do, let him do a bit of close pass."
Posted 7 years ago # -
@Frenchy - thanks. Yes, internal education is just as important.
The focus is starting to spread from Edinburgh now as well with us sharing the equipment with Forth Valley and Fife who have both started activity. Physical operations in Edinburgh are planned again but I’m currently off road with an injury which is why the focus in Edinburgh has been towards education, most recently at the Young Drivers Event.
Reports can still be made through 101 and there’s lots going on in the background to develop that.
Admittedly still lots to do and it’s far from the finished product but it’s starting to expand from what felt at times like a one person crusade (from a Police perspective - not you forumites - you’ve been great).
Posted 7 years ago # -
Year on year data in Edinburgh might be distorted by the roll out of 20 mph at the same time. Another reason to keep OCP going even longer!
No signs of it spreading to Dumfries and Galloway yet, which is a shame. Being close passed by a timber lorry on a narrow B road regularly has me involuntarily breaking the forum rules out loud
Posted 7 years ago # -
I still think the driving test should have a secondary section ....20 minutes on a bicycle on a road which includes an A road and/or dual carriageway. All existing drivers should need to sit it in the next 5 years to retain their licence. Money for the government, jobs for cycle trainers, safer roads. Win win win
Posted 7 years ago # -
I'd like to add 15 mins on the back of a motorbike to the driving test too.
Posted 7 years ago # -
@sallyhinch - Dumfries is in the planning stage. Still waiting on the equipment for west command area though. The council are engaging and talks ongoing with Cumbria Constabulary about assisting each other with resources.
@Ragingbike - I’d like to see a mandatory online training package at licence renewal time. Opportunity to educate drivers about ASL’s, smart motorways, safe passing, anything of relevance really. Although only every ten years it would be more than we currently have?
Posted 7 years ago # -
Although only every ten years it would be more than we currently have?
Very true. There's still some drivers out there who have had no formal training or testing since before the introduction of Motorways, or even zebra crossings. Not to mention pelicon and all similar crossings, double white lines and even the use of yellow paint anywhere on the road.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Posted 7 years ago #
-
@Dom D - Taking inspiration from WMP:
Operation Safer Schools and Safer Crossing sees traffic cops in plain clothes mingling with pedestrians on the look-out for drivers who ignore zebra crossings, speed near schools, jump red lights, use phones at the wheel or commit other motoring offences in key locations. (from here).
Would a similar initiative targeting drivers tailgating cyclists be possible? Thinking particularly about Princes Street...
Posted 7 years ago # -
There's still some drivers out there who have had no formal training or testing since before the introduction of Motorways, or even zebra crossings. Not to mention pelicon and all similar crossings, double white lines and even the use of yellow paint anywhere on the road.
But, but, but...they are licensed to drive - they have a responsibility to keep themselves up to date with all applicable laws and regulations, or risk having their licence taken away.
Don't they?
</notreallyserious>
Can’t be that many drivers over 83
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007chtc: "In Britain today there are around 30,000 drivers over the age of 90".
My Dad only gave up driving about five years ago, when he was more than 90 years old.
He told a story about a friend of his who got his licence when all you had to do was apply for it and pay the fee - no test or anything. After the war, when petrol rationing ended, said friend wanted to get back on the road and decided to take a few refresher lessons before buying a car. On the first lesson they were approaching the roundabout and the instructor said "turn right here". So he did...
Posted 7 years ago # -
He told a story about a friend of his who got his licence when all you had to do was apply for it and pay the fee - no test or anything.
My granny never had to take a driving test either. I don't think she completely gave up driving till she was in her 90s - around 10 years ago now.
I wouldn't be terribly surprised if there's still someone out there who's still going, and got their license before there were driving tests.
Posted 7 years ago #
Reply »
You must log in to post.
posts
