Dangerous driving complaint and response.
Discussion
This, not me by the way:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=notuuDg1-tQ
prompted a complaint to the taxi licensing authorities.
This was their response:
complaint against driver of Private hire car plate no.2266
I refer to the above and can now make you aware of the conclusions reached as a result of our investigation into the allegations raised. We traced and interviewed the driver of the vehicle detailed in your letter of complaint. The driver stated that while he was in the process of overtaking, you moved to the right, therefore reducing the space that he would normally leave for cyclists. He also stated that as he passed you, you struck the side or roof of his vehicle, at which point he stopped. The driver stated you then approached him, shouting and swearing. As he had a female passenger on board he decided to drive away, as his passenger and he did not need to tolerate this. Although the driver feels it was safe to pass when he did, he apologises for any upset caused. This concludes our investigation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=notuuDg1-tQ
prompted a complaint to the taxi licensing authorities.
This was their response:
complaint against driver of Private hire car plate no.2266
I refer to the above and can now make you aware of the conclusions reached as a result of our investigation into the allegations raised. We traced and interviewed the driver of the vehicle detailed in your letter of complaint. The driver stated that while he was in the process of overtaking, you moved to the right, therefore reducing the space that he would normally leave for cyclists. He also stated that as he passed you, you struck the side or roof of his vehicle, at which point he stopped. The driver stated you then approached him, shouting and swearing. As he had a female passenger on board he decided to drive away, as his passenger and he did not need to tolerate this. Although the driver feels it was safe to pass when he did, he apologises for any upset caused. This concludes our investigation.
Save his life? If a driver in charge of ton of steel bullied his way past me in a recklessly stupid manoever I'd have no qualms about slapping the car to let the fxxxwit know I'm there.
Magna's done some brilliant work, he's prompted a scotch bus company to carry sticker saying be wary of cyclists. The media response has been overwhelmingly positive, I pulled this one which seems to be an STV feature from a year ago:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=LmN1WAUjOcE
Magna's done some brilliant work, he's prompted a scotch bus company to carry sticker saying be wary of cyclists. The media response has been overwhelmingly positive, I pulled this one which seems to be an STV feature from a year ago:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=LmN1WAUjOcE
Because of oncoming traffic in that video, there looked barely a handlebar's width between the side of the taxi and the side of the parked car. I'd have been annoyed too. He should ride in the middle of the road if he really wants to stop himself being squeezed there.
No point blaming the drivers, the road design is the problem.
No point blaming the drivers, the road design is the problem.
I don't see how the road layout is the problem here. There is a clear view of the island on approach so there doesn't seem to be any plausible excuse for not seeing it.
That said his riding (in the two clips I watched) doesn't seem to be up to much either, although not knowing the roads its hard to comment on how I would approach them.
Perhaps a national campaign with uncensored video showing how inattentive the 'average' road user is would be better use of the road safety budget rather than repeating the falous that driving below the speed limit is all you have to do to be a safe 'driver'.
That said his riding (in the two clips I watched) doesn't seem to be up to much either, although not knowing the roads its hard to comment on how I would approach them.
Perhaps a national campaign with uncensored video showing how inattentive the 'average' road user is would be better use of the road safety budget rather than repeating the falous that driving below the speed limit is all you have to do to be a safe 'driver'.
From the clip it looks like he really left it too late to take up his "prominent" position as the taxi was already going past him.
You can't do these things half-heartedly - if you're going to stop people passing you then riders need to make sure they position themselves accordingly.
You can't do these things half-heartedly - if you're going to stop people passing you then riders need to make sure they position themselves accordingly.
Edited by Deva Link on Monday 2nd February 11:18
Oooh, interesting update:
Response to the licencing authority:
"Thank you for your letter Ref: xxx xxxx xxx and dated 29th January 2009. In this letter you describe the reactions of the taxi driver to my complaint, i.e. that he thinks that I swerved towards him, and that he felt that it was safe to pass at the time of the incident. However, what your letter does not include is any indication of your findings, i.e. did you feel that the driver was driving in a safe manner? Did the driver drive dangerously? You have also failed to include any information about any disciplinary procedures that you may have taken against the driver.
As I supplied you with video evidence of the incident, I assume that you have reviewed the taxi drivers account of the incident with this in mind.
I would be grateful of you could supply this information, as this will dictate my next course of action with regards to this complaint. I look forward to your reply within the next 14 days. "
End quote.
It seems that one of the junior licencing officers in Glasgow has been a naughty boy!
"I refer to the letter sent to you and can advise you that the letter was
sent on my behalf and in my absence as I was on annual leave last week.
I can also advise you that the letter would not have been forwarded to
you in its current state had I been in a position to review it prior to
sending.
As per standard procedure it is my intention to speak to the
investigating officers in relation to their investigation so that an
informed decision can be made on what, if any action is to be taken
against the driver.
In the meantime please disregard the recent correspondence from this
office. "
Looks like there's an investigation into the, err, investigation!
Response to the licencing authority:
"Thank you for your letter Ref: xxx xxxx xxx and dated 29th January 2009. In this letter you describe the reactions of the taxi driver to my complaint, i.e. that he thinks that I swerved towards him, and that he felt that it was safe to pass at the time of the incident. However, what your letter does not include is any indication of your findings, i.e. did you feel that the driver was driving in a safe manner? Did the driver drive dangerously? You have also failed to include any information about any disciplinary procedures that you may have taken against the driver.
As I supplied you with video evidence of the incident, I assume that you have reviewed the taxi drivers account of the incident with this in mind.
I would be grateful of you could supply this information, as this will dictate my next course of action with regards to this complaint. I look forward to your reply within the next 14 days. "
End quote.
It seems that one of the junior licencing officers in Glasgow has been a naughty boy!
"I refer to the letter sent to you and can advise you that the letter was
sent on my behalf and in my absence as I was on annual leave last week.
I can also advise you that the letter would not have been forwarded to
you in its current state had I been in a position to review it prior to
sending.
As per standard procedure it is my intention to speak to the
investigating officers in relation to their investigation so that an
informed decision can be made on what, if any action is to be taken
against the driver.
In the meantime please disregard the recent correspondence from this
office. "
Looks like there's an investigation into the, err, investigation!
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