Very odd merge-in-turn behaviour, report?

[ChickenWire]

Hi All

I've seen something very odd just now. Oxford ring road, anti-clock (Headington, for those that know the road), road works, merge-in-turn with left merging into right. 30mph limit. Raining heavily but visibility OK. Standard fare in that most cars in right lane (me included, happy to queue), and some cars in left who, as I see understand, are well within their right to scoot to the end of the left lane and merge in (using all of road network). Correct me if I am wrong here please!

Issue; there was a guy in a small red Kia of some sort directly behind me, who for some reason took it upon himself to clearly and deliberately put his car slap bang in the middle of the two lanes from about 400 yards out of the merge-in, trying to stop people passing in their open lane on the left. There were a couple of small cars that managed to slip by, but a fairly hefty van had a difficult time and I felt fairly sorry for the van man because it was very close to being an accident!

I don't know why i'm getting so activated about this, but my thinking is that the guy behind is bang out of line, and actually frankly dangerous. All I can think about is that if my Mrs was driving by in her lane on the left and that guy behind somehow caused an accident I would be beyond furious!

I have a dashcam front and rear so can extract the video clips, but is it worth it? I get that it didn't actually directly affect me, but for the good of mankind I think he should be educated. That being said, I don't want to be a knob about it, unless of course I am wrong (in which case I am happy to be called a knob!). Who do I even send the clips to?

Keen for your thoughts.

CW

[595Heaven]

Amazed you've never seen a road warrior do this before - it is very common for a vehicle to position like that in merging lanes.

There are some odd people out there.

[CMTMB]

Send it to Operation Snap if you can be bothered (and it operates in your area).

[Super Sonic]

Report a road traffic incident | Thames Valley Police https://share.google/bSg9qeKPhk7ujAuyE

[Xenoous]

I've seen this many times over the years. Always the same sort of tool doing it. I'd report it, personally.

[Neil-nvaua]

I would imagine our stretched Police forces would spend zero time looking into any report if there has been no actual crime. Inconsiderate, yes, dangerous driving, debatable - if there was contact the person squeezing past would probably be just as liable for proceeding when there wasn't sufficient room.

Edited by Neil-nvaua on Wednesday 21st October 13:12

[Mammasaid]

Except they do

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9pJdsGLwTQg

[Mike Legerwood]

I have seen it frequently with lorry drivers taking it upon themselves to create a rolling roadblock in the same way, usually matching the speed of another lorry next to them so that you can't pass them.

tttish behaviour but what would the traffic offence be?

[alscar]

Poor behaviour but no actual incident and also I imagine it happens a lot.
Nothing to stop you reporting it but a) I doubt if they will do anything about it and b) unless you literally have nothing better to do probably best to just get on with life.

[BertBert]

ChickenWire said:

Hi All
[snip] I felt fairly sorry for the van man because it was very close to being an accident!

So did the car pull over in front of the van not giving the van enough time to stop? Or was it nearly an accident as the van wanted (understandably) to get through?

[Pica-Pica]

I have occasionally seen that 'road captain' sort of behaviour. It's idiotic. If I had dash cam, I would be inclined to report it.
Wee need mor public information clips to promote using all the available road spac ei before a merge in turn.

[PistonTim]

Pretty common behaviour.

[Neil-nvaua]

Mammasaid said:

Except they do

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9pJdsGLwTQg

Slithgly different scenario when someone pulls out and blocks the road at the last minute causing the driver to swerve onto the kerb and results in damage to their car.

As tttish as it is, I just can't see Police dedicating any time to investigating road warriers straddling lanes if there has been no contact, damage, accident etc as it happens all the time.

Edited by Neil-nvaua on Wednesday 21st October 13:51

[Sway]

There are relatively few scenarios where I think a report into operation snap is a good idea - but this is one of them.

At the least, it seems the offenders often believe they're actually in the right - and a letter or knock from the police might just possibly disavow them of this notion.

[Pica-Pica]

Sway said:

There are relatively few scenarios where I think a report into operation snap is a good idea - but this is one of them.

At the least, it seems the offenders often believe they're actually in the right - and a letter or knock from the police might just possibly disavow them of this notion.

I agree, but that is only one person, how do we convince all of the correct approach?

[blueg33]

Unfortunately its common behaviour by the hard of thinking, that have zero clue. Very annoying, we need better policing so they can be taught the correct way to behave as lanes merge

[ExBoringVolvoDriver]

blueg33 said:

Unfortunately its common behaviour by the hard of thinking, that have zero clue. Very annoying, we need better policing so they can be taught the correct way to behave as lanes merge

Indeed - it is surprising how many think this - even when there is a merge in turn sign!

I am a volunteer driver for the NHS and on more than one occasion when I have used an empty lane before road works in Leeds, my passenger has said words to the effect of you are being a cheeky/naughty there . I then have to educate them in the Highway Code.

Maybe there should be signs at road works to reinforce this or have a campaign similar to the ones I have heard in the radio about red crosses on motorways or using a mobile phone when driving.

How much congestion is caused by the inability of large numbers of drivers to merge in turn?

Edited by ExBoringVolvoDriver on Wednesday 21st October 14:10

[vikingaero]

Neil-nvaua said:

I would imagine our stretched Police forces would spend zero time looking into any report if there has been no actual crime. Inconsiderate, yes, dangerous driving, debatable - if there was contact the person squeezing past would probably be just as liable for proceeding when there wasn't sufficient room.

Edited by Neil-nvaua on Wednesday 21st October 13:12

It doesn't have to meet the criteria for dangerous driving - DWDC&A is a lower threshold and charge.

Most Police forces still run variants of Operation Snap will still welcome dashcam footage. It's not taking officers off the beat, but reviewed by staff and often restricted officers who can then issue a NIP if it meets the threshold of an offence.

[Pica-Pica]

vikingaero said:

Neil-nvaua said:

I would imagine our stretched Police forces would spend zero time looking into any report if there has been no actual crime. Inconsiderate, yes, dangerous driving, debatable - if there was contact the person squeezing past would probably be just as liable for proceeding when there wasn't sufficient room.

Edited by Neil-nvaua on Wednesday 21st October 13:12

It doesn't have to meet the criteria for dangerous driving - DWDC&A is a lower threshold and charge.

Most Police forces still run variants of Operation Snap will still welcome dashcam footage. It's not taking officers off the beat, but reviewed by staff and often restricted officers who can then issue a NIP if it meets the threshold of an offence.

I would imagine suitably trained civilian staff could review any footage, and if the situation meets the guidelines, then they could forward them for review and prosecution.

[ChickenWire]

BertBert said:

ChickenWire said:

Hi All
[snip] I felt fairly sorry for the van man because it was very close to being an accident!

So did the car pull over in front of the van not giving the van enough time to stop? Or was it nearly an accident as the van wanted (understandably) to get through?

Yep good questions above - I could see the Kia driver actively steer into the van as it tried to pass to actively close the space even more than it had already done. Pretty mad that this happens so frequently it seems!