I shall keep this ‘short’ but here is what occurred….
Riding along a ‘typical’ town street – not a major road, just a normal road with houses and the odd shop on it, with also a smattering of parked cars (2) I was riding along with no other road users on’my’ road. To my left there was an adjoining road – T junction. I was well illuminated – lights – 2 each end; hi-viz coat, hi viz-trousers, hi-viz backpack etc. As I rode across the t-junction (remember I was heading straight along the road with right of way) a van pulld out of the t-junction at some speed t-boning me into a wall on the opposite side of the road – a distance of some 20 feet or so. The van stopped; driver got out and immediatley appologised, said it was his fault, asked if I was ok, if the bike was ok, said he cycled himself etc. 5 witnesses to the incident all concerned with my welfare with comments of “how did you not see him, he’s lit up like a f****n xmas tree” etc.
Van driver then gets all aggressive. Witnesses say he smells of drink. Police called but he’s driven off. Police at scene say nothing they can do; until a witness says the van driver is drunk…then calls in the re-inforcements. As far as they were concerned I “could report it, or not, but there was nothing they could do”. I asked whether the officer had children. “What the **** has that got to do with anything” he says; but i persist and he says yes. I asked what he would do if it was his child hit. “off the record…. I’d f****n hunt him down and do him” says the copper. Nice. Eventually I go home. I have reported it. I had a reg number thanks to the witnesses. The van driver had found nearest pub it turns out; parked up and locked up van then proceeded to neck as much booze as possible. Police….. “we’re sorry sir, but there is nothing more we can do.” Gee thanks.
