A driver who made a close pass on a bike rider told police that he always drove considerately around cyclists, despite video evidence to the contrary, and claimed he had been a “racing cyclist” himself, and had been knocked off his bike while riding at the same location.

The Transit van driver had made what road.cc reader James described as a “super close pass” – and despite setting out various excuses in his defence, was fined £100 and had his driving licence endorsed with three penalty points.

“Interestingly, the officer responsible for dealing with it sent me a copy of an email the driver sent him, stating various mitigations for the pass,” James told us.

“The officer wanted to know if I wanted him to proceed with the FPN given the mitigation. Here are some of the driver's comments from that correspondence" [with James’s observations afterwards]:

I did notice as I passed him he moved out from the kerb towards me and was a bit unbalanced

“Baloney as can be seen in the video.”

As an experienced cyclist myself, I've raced and been in a few teams and ridden in many countries over a 40 year period. I'm a very patient and considerate driver when it comes to cyclist at all times.

“As evidenced by passing on the approach to traffic lights and a roundabout, and into oncoming traffic.”

I've been in many situations with close passes myself over many years as a cyclist. I've had two major crashes on this very road.

“Yet still chose to pass in a place where his offside wheels barely crossed the centreline.”

I'm in no way saying I don't have responsibilities as a road user in general but feel being handed a fine and points a bit unfair.

“Maybe he should reflect on why that has happened?”

James added: “Suffice to say that once I had reviewed the footage to make sure I had not misremembered I asked that they proceed with the FPN.”

https://road.cc/content/news/nmotd-738-close-pass-driver-claims-he-was-racing-cyclist-291413

wtjs replied to HoarseMann | 1692 posts | 15 hours ago
3 likes

don't worry, I'm sure there's something we can do to get you off the hook. All the best, the police

They try their best, even with really tough cases. Wonder what they're going to do about this- not only is scaffolder's lorry MX55 YKN crossing the stop line 0.45 seconds after the lights changed to red, but it's listed by DVSA as untaxed since 20.7.09 and never having taken an MOT test. Now you, like me, may well think that this is incredible even for Lancashire! Surely, the Filth must have clocked this vehicle at some stage even though they try very hard not to- so there could be something wrong with the data. The police won't mention it when they send me the infamous 'no-action action letter' which includes the possibility that they might decide to do nothing or give 'words of advice', so it's another one on the list for finding out the actual outcome. Lancashire characteristically doesn't respond to such requests, so I have to keep harassing them. We shall see whether taxation and MOT has been abandoned for certain HGV's in Lancashire.

https://cdn.road.cc/sites/default/files/styles/main_width/public/RedLightCrossLorry-25Mar22-0003_Crop.jpg

On 26/03/2022 11:20, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:

> Wonder what they're going to do about this- not only is scaffolder's lorry XXnn XXX crossing the stop line 0.45 seconds after the lights changed to red, but it's listed by DVSA as untaxed since 20.7.09 and never having taken an MOT test.

It's easy to see why cyclists don't want registration, testing,
insurance, and the rest.

--
Spike

On Friday, March 25, 2022 at 5:32:35 PM UTC, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
Fignion's ghost | 16 posts | 3 hours ago
2 likes
Another excellent example of why you ALWAYS wear a camera - front and back.

Don't forget. If you are injured by a motorist. It'll be the legal team of his insurer that you'll need to defend your case against. Not so easy when there's no video evidence.

And that is why you always wear a camera - front and back.

On 26/03/2022 11:56, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:

> Another excellent example of why you ALWAYS wear a camera - front and back.

> Don't forget. If you are injured by a motorist. It'll be the legal team of his insurer that you'll need to defend your case against. Not so easy when there's no video evidence.

> And that is why you always wear a camera - front and back.

Supposing vehicles have camera front and back?

--
Spike

On Friday, March 25, 2022 at 5:32:35 PM UTC, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
lio | 84 posts | 4 hours ago
0 likes

I often wonder if these drivers ever see the videos of what they've done?

In an idea world you'd get them to watch them after they've given their first round of excuses to see if they change what they say.

GOOD POINT.
>
> https://road.cc/content/news/nmotd-738-close-pass-driver-claims-he-was-racing-cyclist-291413

On 26/03/2022 11:54 am, Spike wrote:
> On 26/03/2022 11:20, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
>
>> Wonder what they're going to do about this- not only is scaffolder's lorry XXnn XXX crossing the stop line 0.45 seconds after the lights changed to red, but it's listed by DVSA as untaxed since 20.7.09 and never having taken an MOT test.

I can confirm that reg mark XXnn XXX is not listed by DVLA at all.

> It's easy to see why cyclists don't want registration, testing,
> insurance, and the rest.
>

On 26/03/2022 11:56 am, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Friday, March 25, 2022 at 5:32:35 PM UTC, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
> Fignion's ghost | 16 posts | 3 hours ago
> 2 likes
>
> Another excellent example of why you ALWAYS wear a camera - front and back.
>
> Don't forget. If you are injured by a motorist. It'll be the legal team of his insurer that you'll need to defend your case against. Not so easy when there's no video evidence.
>
> And that is why you always wear a camera - front and back.

And the Captain Marvel glasses, of course?

Don't forget them.

We won't.

eburtthebike | 3011 posts | 18 hours ago
1 like

Should also have been charged with lying and false evidence for his statements.

AGREED, MY OLD URC FRIEND. :-)