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Reporting drivers using phones

(19 posts)

Started 12 years ago by joeblogs
Latest reply from Cycle PC

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bad driving phone mobile police reporting

joeblogs
Member

My first post here after lurking for a little while. Please be gentle!

As described in my latest Blipfoto entry...

http://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2757789

...I spotted and filmed a van driver cruising along Ferry Road yesterday morning with both hands off the wheel, head down, typing something into his iPhone.

Wingpig and Mr. Wilmington persuaded me to report to the police. So, last night I wrote a detailed description of the incident, uploaded the video to YouTube, grabbed some stills from the footage clearly identifying van and driver, and emailed it all off to LBP.

I received a reply this morning asking me to attend my local police station to report the incident. To cut a long story and the subsequent email correspondence short, it became clear that the only way to report such an incident is by visiting a station to provide a verbal witness statement and burning the footage onto DVD. An incident would only be formally recorded at that point; nothing I sent to the police by email will be logged or acted upon.

So I'm here wondering what others think. I'm convinced (not least due to previous experience) that visiting my local police station will achieve no more than wasting an hour of my life.

Has anyone here reported something in this way and had a successful outcome?

Would my time be better spent writing some letters to officials suggesting that processes be but in place so that these things can be reported electronically?

Or should I just get on with my life?

Posted 12 years ago #
Dave
Member

I was buzzed by a motorcyclist who then chased me down Broughton St and challenged me to a fight (on video), and the DVD of that footage with which I gave a statement at the police station in Leith went nowhere, so I don't fancy your chances, frankly.

(That makes it sound more melodramatic than it was, perhaps, but I think that's a fair factual summary)

Posted 12 years ago #
crowriver
Member

I find it symptomatic of our age that it is 'better' to use time uploading videos to YouTube and drafting e-mails than it is to walk/cycle somewhere and talk to somebody.

If you feel strongly enough about this incident, you should report it using the correct procedure. Otherwise you really have wasted your time, IMO.

Posted 12 years ago #
joeblogs
Member

@crowriver - that's the thing, I don't feel strongly about this particular incident because it's just one of dozens I've seen and filmed. E.g.:

http://youtu.be/jhsW0ZusEbA

What I do feel strongly about is a) people feel it's acceptable to use a phone while driving; b) there's no realistic way of reporting these things when they happen and you have clear evidence; c) even if I did make the effort to report in person, burn DVDs etc., nothing would happen.

Posted 12 years ago #
Wilmington's Cow
Member

"I find it symptomatic of our age that it is 'better' to use time uploading videos to YouTube and drafting e-mails than it is to walk/cycle somewhere and talk to somebody."

Home anyway, on the computer anyway, takes up.... 15 minutes? of your time. Compared to sitting in a police station waiting room and coming away with the feeling you've been banging your head against a brick wall - it's not really a surprise, and in terms of your own stress levels certainly is a better use of your time. Though I still think people should make the effort to report if only from a 'piling up of the stats' point of view.

When I met, ages ago, with the police (along with chdot) I raised the London 'Roadsafe' thing that they have. The worry was that it could lead to malicious use and so on, but it does seem to have proved useful and popular down there.

Posted 12 years ago #
Wilmington's Cow
Member

Roadsafe from the Met Police

Posted 12 years ago #
Kim
Member

I know Dave Brennan AKA Magnatom has had some success with this sort of thing (and some failures) you could try asking his advice http://www.magnatom.net/p/contact-me.html he likes giving advice.

Posted 12 years ago #
Min
Member

The police claim you should report every incident and that if you don't it is your own fault if something happens to you since they had absolutely no idea whatsoever that road rage and injuries occur every day to cyclists and pedestrians in Edinburgh. But then they ignore every complaint. And that includes hit and runs and not just mere near-misses or threats.

I doubt you will find anyone on here who has had a complaint taken seriously by them on here apart from historical ones from back when there was a bobby on the beat and you could leave your door unlocked etc.

Posted 12 years ago #
joeblogs
Member

I must apologise for the profanity I used above. Doesn't seem to be any way of editing posts, otherwise I'd change it...!

EDIT: there's an edit button... it's been a while since I've felt like such a n00b!

Posted 12 years ago #
neddie
Member

I think that if the police stations become flooded with cyclists all making similar complaints, then the police will be forced to make it easier to report these matters.

Posted 12 years ago #
wingpig
Member

I'd heard that they'd do nowt without independent-witness-corroboration (photographic evidence apparently not counting) but didn't know actual in-person reporting was required. So far none of my verbal threats of physical harm have happened when I've had the camera on so I've never yet had to make a report.

Posted 12 years ago #
Dave
Member

I think that if the police stations become flooded with cyclists all making similar complaints, then the police will be forced to make it easier to report these matters.

That's one view... if I was running LBP I'd try to make it harder?

Posted 12 years ago #
Wilmington's Cow
Member

If they were to make it harder by, for example, having all sorts of forms for cyclists to fill in when they flood a station then... the police will be flooded with admin that will cost money and time (even allowing for some cyclists not bothering to report because it's harder), as well as creating the expectation that, because it's harder and 'formal' then 'something will be done'.

If they make it easier by, for example, having an online reporting system that automatically updates a database then... the police will have an immediately available resource with little back office requirement.

Have to say Dave, with that attitude I'm quite glad you're not running LBP!

Posted 12 years ago #
Cyclops
Member

Slightly OT - LBP is of course only in existence for a few more weeks. It'll be interesting to see if things improve with the new unitary police force.

Posted 12 years ago #
joeblogs
Member

I don't think anyone would expect or want the police to spend their time following up thousands of minor traffic misdemeanours, which is why the Roadsafe scheme always made sense to me.

By building a crowd-sourced record of these things it's easy to see patterns emerge which raise larger concerns that warrant a proper investigation. It's also very easy to see if those reporting are being malicious.

Anyway, I'm not going down to the police station with this one, I'd rather go for a wee ride on my bike.

Or perhaps I'll create a backlog of reports and visit the police station once a month to file them all in one go...

Posted 12 years ago #
Roibeard
Member

I think you'll get more out of reporting the driver to his company. They've got the responsibility to maintain their insurance costs and to promote a particular reputation, so are usually more interested in driving standards of their liveried vehicles.

Unless it's a one-man band, of course, in which case, tough...

But I'm otherwise quite happy to report dodgy driving or illegal parking to the company whose name is being advertised during the offence!

Robert

Posted 12 years ago #
mgj
Member

If only the person responsible for electronic information exchange in the Scottish justice system was a member of this forum; oh look, I am!

Dont expect any changes before the creation of the single force in April, but it is likely that corroboration of evidence will go in the response to the Carloway report, which is likely to be of more importance in the area of road traffic offences, and reporting.

Posted 12 years ago #
joeblogs
Member

@Roibeard - I think he was his employer, so not much point I fear. Have done that a couple if times in the past though and had positive results (or at least promises to deal with the driver).

@mgj - that sounds promising... I think?!

Posted 12 years ago #
Cycle PC
Member

Good afternoon all,

I can not comment on individual cases and reports of incidents, however I am at a loss as to explain why no action is taken against a complaint made to police where corroborated evidence of an offence is available.

For offences involving driving, still images would not be enough as there is no proof of 'driving' itself, which is why the footage would be required. Where a complaint is made involving a possible driving offence / criminal offence, a statement must be taken at the time, which is why you would be asked to come into a police station, as this has to be done face to face. You can also arrange for a police officer to attend at your home address or workplace, whichever may be more convenient for you.

I have already put together a business case to set up a system similar to 'Roadsafe', however this was rejected.

It is important that as many incidents are reported to police as possible. If you feel that the incorrect action has been taken, or indeed no action was taken, I suggest you contact the police and ask why.

Regards,

Paul.

Posted 12 years ago #

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