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Evening, a coupe of weeks ago I reported (first ever) a close pass on the road by a driver.
Got an email saying Avon and Somerset police thought it was worthy of either a warning letter, 3 points conviction or awareness type course which made me feel it was justified on my part.
However when I asked about the final outcome a week later I was told basically to mind my own business.
I asked so I could overwrite the memory card on my camera so was a bit surprised at the change of attitude.
Was informed that this would be my final email received on the matter.
So, does anyone know any way I can find out the outcome, or who to ask higher up the chain etc?
Because now im intrigued as to whether anything happened at all etc..
Seems odd - I had one yesterday - infuriated me. Gesticulated for them to pull over and then gave chase but all to no avail. Probably for the best.
Presumably they said investigation closed at least?
I'd expect that the complainer would have a right to know the outcome of an investigation
Same, lots of road training led me to get a camera. 4 months in and I could submit a close pass every ride I reckon. Not gonna let it turn me into a vigilante tho.
That seems like a really peculiar response.
Unless he’s an off duty copper or high court judge.
Agree with above. As per the Loch Damh Dogs thread, my son got a 2 page letter from the Procurator Fiscal explaining exactly what happened and why.
You are a witness unless you get hurt apparently. If you get threatened with a knife, you are a victim, but if you get threatened with a car, you don't matter.
https://road.cc/content/news/some-forces-treating-close-passes-victimless-crime-274917
Years ago I was fobbed off after being passed by a minibus towing a canoe trailer which was so close that it snagged my RH pannier and pulled me down the road for a couple of seconds until the pannier strap ripped out of the bag.
I found the Chief Constable's name and address and wrote a letter asking why I was being fobbed off, and when were they going to send me the insurance and drivers detail so that I could make a claim against them.
I got a letter and phone call within a week and obviously the report that no action was being taken against the driver who they'd apparently interviewed but then forgotten about the "victim".
Yeah that’s a pretty standard outcome. Sounds like when they found out who it was they changed their mind
I reported a car that actually hit me, although didn’t knock me off, and did get a phone call from an officer who attended the address and found ‘an elderly man who only fled the scene out of fear of the consequence’. Which was quite different to when I was chasing him and he was laughing and flipping me off in his mirror. He advised that ‘the man was very apologetic’ and ‘didn’t see any further action necessary’. Well of course the man is apologetic, he’s got a copper in his front room. Also, if he’s elderly and clearly dangerous the how about we reassess his licence?
I’m sure there are lots of good policemen and women out there but in 32 years and dozens of countries I have yet to meet one
I’m sure there are lots of good policemen and women out there but in 32 years and dozens of countries I have yet to meet one
If it's so easy maybe we should have a go at their jobs with all their pressures and priorities.
Not gonna let it turn me into a vigilante tho.
Good that you're not going to take the law into your own hands, bad that you aren't handing evidence onto those that do uphold the law.
If it’s so easy maybe we should have a go at their jobs with all their pressures and priorities
No doubt the root cause of the issue is that it's a very hard job and they are underpaid. Given the risk and complexity of the job and huge and varied skillset required they should be paid alot more than they are, that's the only way to attract good people into jobs, whatever the role
I have a very hard job, I'm still expected to be competent though
I've probably reported a handful of incidents supported by video footage in around 3 years - as time has gone by my threshold for reporting has got higher as there seems to be no point in just regular run of the mill close passes or poor driving.
I think the first one was a stupid close pass on a narrow road (just before a X roads where the car turned right and I went straight on) and the response was that the video showed the car had moved over as far as they could, obviously the option of not passing wasn't considered.
One where I nearly got taken out by a car going straight through a roundabout where I had to take avoiding action - only response was that they don't prosecute one off incidents.
A close pass followed by verbal abuse after the vehicle stopped at some lights a short distance later (with illegal font and spacing on plate as a bonus) - no response
A close pass followed by running a red light - no response. Two safe passes followed by both cars making a U turn at a 'no U turn' sign - no response.
A simple confirmation that 'we have reviewed it and will take appropriate action' is all that I'd ask for, I don't want chapter and verse on the outcome, just confirmation that there is some point in bothering to make the report in the first place. In fact the best response I had was when I contacted a company directly rather than going via the police where I got an apologetic email from the MD saying the driver would be spoken to.