The Story Behind my Profile Pics...

[Dibble]

Here's the "still-sub-judice-in-the-Civil-Courts" version:

I was driving the Mundano, following a subject vehicle in a pursuit. I had all the lights and sirens going.

The subject vehicle goes through several sets of red lights without even slowing. I have to slow down at each, make sure it's clear, then try and catch up to do it all again at each light.

The subject vehicle then goes through another red light. I slow, look right, left, right, ahead, and see everthing is stopped. Off the footbrake, on the gas, and through the red light.

Unfortunately, although the first three cars to my left/nearside had stopped, an old gimmer in his Nissan Almera hadn't seen or heard me, and didn't want to wait behind the other traffic that had. So he drove around the stationary cars in front of him, and into my nearside.

This impact started my vehicle spinning anticlockwise (when seen by my Guardian Angel from above). The rear offside quarter then collided with the front nearside of a private ambulance (with a body on board), immediately sending me in a spin in the opposite direction.

The Mundano became briefly airborne during the spin, before coming to rest, pointing back the way I'd come, after a 270 degree spin.

No-one injured, cue much piss-taking from colleagues. Banned at work until retest a week later, then driving again a week after that.

I'm led to believe an anonymous third party has access to some video, which they claim to be posting up to PH.TV shortly. Allegedly.

[2 Smokin Barrels]

Glad everybody OK.

[observer]

Bad luck for you due to crap driving from Mr Nissan Almera. Glad it hasn't affected your rise to CC-hood.

[gh0st]

Dibs - sorry to hear about it mate.

Probably the same gibber in a fiat panda that I wrote off for him (As well as nearly myself) when he decided to pull out point blank in front of my motorbike

I see he has got a new almera and decided to pick on policemen now... who next the fire brigade

Retests for those over the age of 60? I would back it and happily submit to it when I hit 60. I would really prefer some sort of retest every 5 years. Something like that may have prevented your unfortuate mundeo incident...

[victormeldrew]

Old gimmers really are a problem. Couple of years ago one rammed me when I was stationary waiting to turn right. He was waiting to exit from the side road, then he decided for some reason that the road ahead was clear for him to pull out. The mere presence of an Audi A8 immediately in front of him did not deter him.

The frightening thing was the frailty of the guy once out of his Merc. He could hardly walk unaided - though you have to make allowances for shock I guess. Still, it was my head that smashed into the side window as Merc caved in both drivers side doors, so why did I then spend 10 minutes helping him across the road to the pavement?

He is still driving as far as I know. God help us.

Hopefully Mr Almera will be given every opportunity to reevaluate his driving skills as a result of this?

[Mad Moggie]

Dibble said:

[pic]Unfortunately, although the first three cars to my left/nearside had stopped, an old gimmer in his Nissan Almera hadn't seen or heard me, and didn't want to wait behind the other traffic that had. So he drove around the stationary cars in front of him, and into my nearside.

Perhaps the Swiss are right when they insist on a hearing test as part of the requirement....

Glad you were unscathed ... could have been a lot nastier.

But has this guy not been charged with anything?

You had to put up with all the flak and the angst of all this...and it was not really your fault ...

The other cars noted the hazard (of police car with sirens and lights) and took appropriate action....



>> Edited by Mad Moggie on Thursday 2nd December 00:35

[Dibble]

The old guy in the Almera claimed not to have seen/heard me (he had hearing aids in both ears and wore glasses).

As it was me that went through the red light, he still had right of way at the green light. I'm just glad that (a) everyone walked away from it and (b) that after CPS deliberations, I'm not getting done for due care or worse...

and (c) that the Mundano's dead...

[Mad Moggie]

Dibble said:

The old guy in the Almera claimed not to have seen/heard me (he had hearing aids in both ears and wore glasses). As it was me that went through the red light, he still had right of way at the green light. I'm just glad that (a) everyone walked away from it and (b) that after CPS deliberations, I'm not getting done for due care or worse... and (c) that the Mundano's dead...

Then he needs to have new glasses and someone should suggest he actually switches on his hearing aids .... But in fairness to the old geezer (and possibly what his lawyer would pick up on in a civil case for compo )...the trouble with hearing aids .. they would pick up his own engine noise and radio and thus compromise his external hearing

Hopefully ... in a civil case .. the evidence of the others who stopped to give way to an emergency vehicle may reduce compo to the old geezer ...

[V8 Archie]

I'm not at all sure how it works, but surely in order to get some compensation he'll have to prove that the balance of probability suggests that he was performing a reasonable action. That is, that the balance of probability is that the other drivers without hearing aids or glasses were sitting at the green light for the sake of their health or something.

[Mad Moggie]

Think they may go for a 20/80 blame apportion ...given the green light and old geezer may have thought they were turning right or something....

Funny devils insurance companies ..... and we live in aan "ambulance-chasing" society as well...

I hope things will pan out fine for Dibs though - I am sure they should do.