Dangerous Driving

[111Robin]

I cycle to work on rural roads, between 5:30-7am. The roads aren't too busy before 7. The vast majority of people give me good clearance when overtaking. There is one person who without exception only gives just enough clearance to get past, we're talking just a few inches, very dangerous. It does not matter where on the road I am, it can be a blind bend with double white lines or a long straight with perfect visibility for safe overtaking, the overtake is always performed with the same dangerously close manoeuvre. In my opinion this is being done deliberately. Even if a few cars are overtaking in a line with this person in the middle and all other cars give good clearance, this person still does the same thing. In my opinion this is being done deliberately, I have no idea why apart from this person being completely ignorant/vindictive (I have done nothing to offend them).
Options :
1. Ignore them and let it carry on until they eventually kill me.
2. Change my route to avoid this road (will be very inconvenient)
3. Wait for them one morning in my car, follow them to their work then have a good rant at them.
4. Wait for them one evening in my car, follow them home then have a good rant at them (can't promise I won't get violent).
5. Stick a helmet-cam on, take plenty footage of their overtaking then present it to the police.

I just resent the fact that this a-hole thinks they have the right to put my life at risk for their own amusement. I know cycling on the roads is inherently dangerous, I accept that or I wouldn't do it, but this is taking it too far and this prick needs to be taught a lesson. If not me he might kill another cyclist before too long.

Sensible opinions please.

[BiggestNizzy]

When I used to cycle to work there was a British rail lorry (it was a few years ago) who missed us by inches every day, even mounting the grass verge made no difference.

Some people are just dicks

[vx220]

just kick the car as it goes past, then am sure you can have a chat with them lol

[111Robin]

just kick the car as it goes past, then am sure you can have a chat with them lol

Not likely at 60+mph

[111Robin]

FWIW we're not talking white van man here, this is an expensive motor with very distinctive private plate

[campbell]

Report it to the Police. Reg, location, time of day, mention the regularity.

Then get the helmet cam rigged, film a few further instances, and follow up with the Police providing the additional information.

This sort of stuff is unacceptable and I am aware of "concerned crofters" who have thought nothing of reporting drivers purely because they *think* they were going too fast. Never mind consistently risking a cyclist's safety on the same route.

[meatball]

Report it now...mention the frequency.
The helmet cam would help.
Don't approach him yourself.

[johncam]

Hi Robin,
Take his number and go to your local police station NOW! Speak to the desk sergeant and explain that you want the something logged before an accident happens. In my last job I commuted between Paisley and Kirkintilloch and every morning without fail a female in a red Volvo C30 did exactly the same thing you described on the bit of narrow road before Torrance. I had been commuting on my bike for 15 years at that point and I could just tell it was going to end badly for me. In my case the desk sergeant asked me what I wanted done - I explained that a phone call from a policeman about her driving standards would do the trick. Better still, he phoned me back a few days later to say that she had been invited into Kirkintilloch Police station for a wee chat in person!! The following Monday morning was interesting, same time as usual she passed me but this time on the opposite side of the road at a point where she left a good 1.5m of road clear for me. I waved at her every morning after that but never had any bother... or even so much as a wave back

Cheers,

John

[campbell]

Don't approach him yourself.

I meant to add that bit

[j2 lot]

Agree with above comments - report it now.
Person may be doing it on purpose or simply too stupid to realise what they are doing - either way a call/visit from Police should alert them to the folly of their ways and save you a trip to A&E or worse
Helmet cam is not a bad call, as evidence if they don't improve their driving or worse if take the hump about being reported and decide to 'have a word' with you next time you meet!

[Doc883]

Agree they probably don't even realise that what they are doing is dangerous but by reporting it the Police should be able to act accordingly with a quiet word in their shell like, after all prevention is better than cure.

[111Robin]

Thanks for this advice, I didn't think it would be worth reporting to the police, assuming they would ask for witnesses etc., after all it's my word against the driver of the car. I will try this and see what response I get. I just got a really sick feeling this morning when they buzzed me, thinking it could almost have been my last moment, it really is that bad. I do think they're doing it for fun now to get a reaction from me, obviously I gesticulate when they do it, this must be their form of amusement.
Cheers,
Robin

[BiggestNizzy]

Thanks for this advice, I didn't think it would be worth reporting to the police, assuming they would ask for witnesses etc., after all it's my word against the driver of the car. I will try this and see what response I get. I just got a really sick feeling this morning when they buzzed me, thinking it could almost have been my last moment, it really is that bad. I do think they're doing it for fun now to get a reaction from me, obviously I gesticulate when they do it, this must be their form of amusement.
Cheers,
Robin

The won't need witnesses they will have a friendly word, they will want witnesses when the driver runs you over though

[campbell]

Also stop the gestures or any form of retaliation as of now, Robin. Adopt the higher ground. This will also help improve your frame of mind about it all.

[111Robin]

Also stop the gestures or any form of retaliation as of now, Robin. Adopt the higher ground. This will also help improve your frame of mind about it all.

Good advice Campbell, I will refrain from manual gestures . I'll put this into action next week and see how it goes,
Thanks,
Robin