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I'm mighty confused that you lot don't seem to have any conception of a possible riding position other than the OP's
right up near the pavement
or primary, especially when someone's helpfully
put up a picture of it - secondary position.
Very much not the same as [i]right up near the pavement[/i], and so many experienced cyclists ime really don't get this, either riding right in the gutter or 'taking the lane' with nothing in between.
IME anyone who decides to ride primary on a 50 or 60 mph single road - given some cars will do more than 70 on this is pretty brave/foolish.
FWIW I ride in primary and in secondary depending on many factors neither choice magically makes me immune from the poor decisions and standards of shit drivers hitting me.
Also, just for a treat, when someone is hit by a car could we sympathise with them rather than blame them ?
This was not your fault it was his error or lack of skill , I do find, given that most drivers do not actually want your blood on the bonnet of the car, that ridding a bit further out than you describe prevents them trying to squeeze past without any thought or turning of the wheel and compels them to perform a proper considered over take.On occasions it even makes them slow down for a couple of seconds .
Fail to stop is only an offence if there is damage or injury I would say the bang to your elbow amounts to injury for those purposes. (off top of my head not intended to be authoritative)
[i]Also, just for a treat, when someone is hit by a car could we sympathise with them rather than blame them ?[/i]
Indeed. Just come to expect the same old STW bollocks though. "Wouldn't happen to me cos I'm a better rider than the OP, even though I have no idea of the circumstances or the particular road he was on, I could have avoided any incident cos I am awesome. Can't you tell by the way I type?"
Anyway, hope the police do something OP. Let us know!
IME anyone who decides to ride primary on a 50 or 60 mph single road - given some cars will do more than 70 on this is pretty brave/foolish.FWIW I ride in primary and in secondary depending on many factors neither choice magically makes me immune from the poor decisions and standards of shit drivers hitting me.
Also, just for a treat, when someone is hit by a car could we sympathise with them rather than blame them ?
I like this post. Best thing you've written for ages.
Police attitudes vary massively. My recent road rage incident I reported to the local Police station. If no damage or injury occurred, then generally the Police can't just go and have a word with the individual responsible, unless you want to press charges. Unfair I know. In my experience, the PC who I spoke to persuaded her inspector to allow her to go and speak to the guy responsible. Report the incident and take it from there.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but using a V88 form from the DVLA may well get you his name and address from his reg number.
Doesn't matter where you were on the road. Been in a similar situ myself. If you have a reg and a mark on your arm, an injury of any kind, report it as a fail to stop after an RTA. afaia the police are obliged to follow it up, they did when someone failed to stop after hitting me with the wing mirror and causing injury - his fault in that case, as it is in yours.
Just got off the phone with the police, they couldn't get me on my mobile apparently hence the delay.
Nice officer on the phone who was genuinly concerned and had followed up the case. He had been to the driver's house to serve him a notice that he may be prosecuted and said the driver was a 71 year old 'very nice chap' who had admitted straight away to it and was worried about the matter and hadn't stopped because he thought I was some sort of army personnel in training (big MTB camelback and camo baggies) and was scared of assault. The officer completely agreed that that was no justification and was happy to prosecute had I wanted to.
I can understand that to be honest, I am 6ft 2 and with base layers jackets and all the winter kit on look quite big, plus I was very pissed off at the time which certainly traspired through my body language. Obviuosly no justification as the officer said in that case he should have gone straight to a police station and reported what had happened.
He also said the driver had been ringing him to find out what was going on so he was defo s****ing it a bit, I don't want to crucify someone for a minute's distraction as I hadn't had any injuries or damage to the bike and in the end agreed that the officer will serve him a warning which will hopefully make him think twice about being a tit on the roads.
What say STW? Should I have taken everything he had? Maybe some old pics of bruises from some MTB crashes?
I'd have pushed for him to be prosecuted - I'm sure he was very remorseful in front of the policeman! Too few drivers have to answer for their crap driving and a few more prosecutions would help with awareness. Age is no excuse either - maybe he hit you because he can't see properly? Get him off the road.
Prosecute he hit you in his car and fled the scene. His actions speak louder than his sincerity once in front of plod which may be genuine or fake
When it mattered he hit you and ****ed off therefore IMHO Prosecute
I'm usually in the forgiving "anyone can make a mistake" camp, but he should have stopped. If he thought you were dangerous he could have stayed in the car and talked to you through a tiny gap in the window.
I'm veering towards prosecution.
+1 to the above. He hit you (strike 1), drove off (2) and then didn't even bother to report it (3).
If you weren't injured then obviously don't claim for anything but I'd have gone for prosecution or (maybe better) an 'education' course.
Hmm, I'm usually a nail 'em to the wall camp, but nobody was hurt or property damaged, this time.
Hopefully it will be a wake up call for him.
I saw similar with my father in law, he misjudged things mostly. It's not some mental landscape gardener running people off the road intentionally because they looked at him funny.
It was an accident.
Should push for prosecution - it might lead to a much needed assessment of the guys suitability to continue driving. Very few people will admit they're no longer safe and our country is so car centric that people see driving as analogous to freedom.
My father was driving long beyond the point where he is safe and the damage to my mother's car indicates she is too. Should be regular compulsory retests beyond 65.
Failing to stop or report a collision that involved personal injury or damage is offence in itself.
Having said that I am not overly confident in police appetite to pursue this kind of incident when they have not even arrested this fella for the clear careless and probably dangerous driving leave alone the following assault!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-30846362
OK, as I already butted in with the primary/secondary position thing. Is there a middle way where the police can require him to take a medical fitness test? I'd be more interested in seeing his licence revoked if he isn't safe over a few points and a fine then being free to do it again.