Reporting Dangerous Driving
Discussion
HJR848 said:
Is it ever worth reporting dangerous driving?
How likely is it that anything will lead to a conviction based on someones word, assuming Police didn't see the incident?
Has anyone on here been reported for DD, and if so did anything come of it?
I reported some prime fHow likely is it that anything will lead to a conviction based on someones word, assuming Police didn't see the incident?
Has anyone on here been reported for DD, and if so did anything come of it?
knugget a few years ago, after they took great exception to me overtaking them on a dual carriageway, which led to them pushing me onto the verge whilst the passenger took photos/filmed on their mobile... (late-middle-aged in a B-class Merc! Top tip: Don't do that kind of thing if you have a nice and memorable two-letter-two-digit private plate)The non-emergency Police number passed it on, and I had a call from a traffic sergeant within the hour. His take was that, without any evidence, it would be he-said-she-said and charges would be pointless. But he did say that the plate was registered locally, and he'd be going round for a one-to-one chat with them...
You would need an independent witness and even then it's unlikely it would be looked at unless it was extremely dangerous and on video.
Imagine if everyone reported dangerous driving? I probably see some form of dangerous/careless driving every day on my commute. The police don't have the man power as it is.
Imagine if everyone reported dangerous driving? I probably see some form of dangerous/careless driving every day on my commute. The police don't have the man power as it is.
Tbh, it's one of those things that I'm glad doesn't get followed up on unless there's either lots of people having witnessed it (and reporting it), or video evidence. It's too open to abuse otherwise, as one person's "Ooh, that was so dangerous, I must report that person to the police immediately!" is another's "Meh, that was a bit close but nothing major".
Not saying that I don't agree with you that there's an awful lot of f*cknuggets out there driving like idiots, but at the same time I'd hope that I'd never be prosecuted for DD based on the word of one person. Maybe if the Police get a few reports on the same person then a quick word about their driving at their house is appropriate for a first stab, but then again as someone else said there's no resources to do so.
Imperfect world, I don't have the right answer for this I'm afraid.
Not saying that I don't agree with you that there's an awful lot of f*cknuggets out there driving like idiots, but at the same time I'd hope that I'd never be prosecuted for DD based on the word of one person. Maybe if the Police get a few reports on the same person then a quick word about their driving at their house is appropriate for a first stab, but then again as someone else said there's no resources to do so.
Imperfect world, I don't have the right answer for this I'm afraid.
Ekona said:
Not saying that I don't agree with you that there's an awful lot of f*cknuggets out there driving like idiots, but at the same time I'd hope that I'd never be prosecuted for DD based on the word of one person.
Valid point! I've done a few perfectly safe, well sighted overtakes all within speed limit (most of the time!) for the driver to then flash me as I go by! Usually Volvo barges, but that's a different matter!TooMany2cvs said:
The non-emergency Police number passed it on, and I had a call from a traffic sergeant within the hour. His take was that, without any evidence, it would be he-said-she-said and charges would be pointless.
There was evidence - the passenger filmed it.TooMany2cvs said:
But he did say that the plate was registered locally, and he'd be going round for a one-to-one chat with them...
That smacks of telling you what you want to hear.If you have a witness then yes report it, if you have evidence (dash cam etc) then even better. Without a witness it's highly unlikely it will be followed up until a hit N run or contact was made.
I rang my local Police to report some dangerous driving a good four months ago, I did'nt have a witness or evidence. Still waiting for them to call me back lmao
I rang my local Police to report some dangerous driving a good four months ago, I did'nt have a witness or evidence. Still waiting for them to call me back lmao
LudaMusser said:
If you have a witness then yes report it, if you have evidence (dash cam etc) then even better. Without a witness it's highly unlikely it will be followed up until a hit N run or contact was made.
I rang my local Police to report some dangerous driving a good four months ago, I did'nt have a witness or evidence. Still waiting for them to call me back lmao
It must be an independent witness too. Not your mate sat in the passenger seat. I rang my local Police to report some dangerous driving a good four months ago, I did'nt have a witness or evidence. Still waiting for them to call me back lmao
I have reported cars in the past where I think their driving was so dangerous as to present a real hazard of killing me or another roaduser and the behaviour seemed to be more than a simple one off misjudgement/cock-up.
I appreciate prosecuting for dangerous driving on the basis of a single witness is unlikely, but if the Polis do have the resources to stop the vehicle there is not an unreasonable chance the driver might end up being done for something else (ie no insurance, drunk, unroadworthy, stolen etc all of which must be much easier to prosecute). If it is bad enough that the Polis get more then one independent report then I assume it will be taken more seriously.
I appreciate prosecuting for dangerous driving on the basis of a single witness is unlikely, but if the Polis do have the resources to stop the vehicle there is not an unreasonable chance the driver might end up being done for something else (ie no insurance, drunk, unroadworthy, stolen etc all of which must be much easier to prosecute). If it is bad enough that the Polis get more then one independent report then I assume it will be taken more seriously.
I reported a van driver on Monday, but not to the Police, I contacted the MD of the company that the signwritten van was from.
Moron in van tried to drive into the side of a BMW but missed, then lept out of his van and ran round the back towards the BMW where I lost sight of him. This was in lane 2 of the A14!
Moron in van tried to drive into the side of a BMW but missed, then lept out of his van and ran round the back towards the BMW where I lost sight of him. This was in lane 2 of the A14!
Some Police forces have a website setup for reporting such driving (e.g., Operation Crackdown for Sussex Police).
From the Operation Crackdown website:
"Depending on how serious the incident, whether the vehicle has been reported before, and whether the driver falls into a high risk category, we might:
- forward your report to the Sussex Police Road Policing Unit so local officers can take appropriate action.
- send a warning letter to the registered keeper of the vehicle.
- keep your report in the Crackdown database, providing a history of the vehicle and allegations.
- identify and address regular ‘hotspots’ of anti-social driver behaviour."
From the Operation Crackdown website:
"Depending on how serious the incident, whether the vehicle has been reported before, and whether the driver falls into a high risk category, we might:
- forward your report to the Sussex Police Road Policing Unit so local officers can take appropriate action.
- send a warning letter to the registered keeper of the vehicle.
- keep your report in the Crackdown database, providing a history of the vehicle and allegations.
- identify and address regular ‘hotspots’ of anti-social driver behaviour."
In my experience having submitted dash cam footage clearing showing car and plate as well as the driving concerned, it was met some 6 months later with a response that they had insufficient evidence.
It might not always work out that way but I wouldn't have much faith in a report gaining much traction unless there was physical evidence/damage or injury.
It might not always work out that way but I wouldn't have much faith in a report gaining much traction unless there was physical evidence/damage or injury.
We get these everyday, someone rings in and reports a vehicle driving dangerously. It usually gets circulated over the radio, if we're nearby and not committed, then we'll take a look.
I've dealt with a few, but without evidence, it's all he said, she said, as the driver rarely thinks what they've done is dangerous.
I reported someone from a video link that was posted on here a few years ago, it was horrendous driving. It was followed up by the local traffic officer and the driver was convicted of dangerous driving. Dashcams are the way forward!
I've dealt with a few, but without evidence, it's all he said, she said, as the driver rarely thinks what they've done is dangerous.
I reported someone from a video link that was posted on here a few years ago, it was horrendous driving. It was followed up by the local traffic officer and the driver was convicted of dangerous driving. Dashcams are the way forward!
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