Punched by irate driver

Howard Peel · Post by **Howard Peel** » 20 Sep 2007, 1:02pm

diapason wrote: such behaviour is intolerable in a civilised society.

True, but an accepted part of everyday life for the inhabitants of Airstrip One.

ransos · Post by **ransos** » 20 Sep 2007, 4:22pm

My manager was in an extremely similar situation to the one you describe. Fortunately for him, he wasn't actually injured by the assault, although he was pushed to the ground and left very shaken. The police only gave the driver a formal caution though, so I reckon you'll have to keep on at them for a prosecution. Perhaps the fact that bodily harm can be proven might help you. I really hope you can nail the barsteward.

mhara · Post by **mhara** » 21 Sep 2007, 9:36am

This doesn't bode well for a good outcome
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article2500725.ece

Tynan · Post by **Tynan** » 21 Sep 2007, 1:04pm

if it's unprovoked assault drawing blood and causing injury then it's ABH/GBH

plus witnesses

sounds like a real chance of some jail time to me, especially if he's had previous

can't see it being a caution or spot fine at all

violent crime is still seen as a serious offence

funny who some people are about literally touching their car, it's like you've spat at them or something

Mrs Tortoise · Post by **Mrs Tortoise** » 22 Sep 2007, 9:37am

It's assault however else it might be classified and that means a crime of violence. Given the standing of the victim, the police might just do something other than lose the paperwork. I hope you got an incident number.

Such behaviour cannot be tolerated. I hope it hasn't put you off cycling. Good luck with prosecuting your attacker.

A doctor friend of mine used to say he'd like to stamp out intolerance!

Tony · Post by **Tony** » 23 Sep 2007, 5:07am

As posted elsewhere, I got slapped yesterday morning, by a car passenger while moving. A "h**py slap" as opposed to one in anger, but it is being treated as assault/ABH by the old bill.

Mrs Tortoise · Post by **Mrs Tortoise** » 23 Sep 2007, 7:31pm

Tony wrote:As posted elsewhere, I got slapped yesterday morning, by a car passenger while moving. A "h**py slap" as opposed to one in anger, but it is being treated as assault/ABH by the old bill.

I was hoping this sort of craze had finished. It's absolutely insane and I'm glad the police are taking it seriously. It could so easily cause an accident and serious injury.

Interestingly, according to the Observer today, the Dept of Transport is thinking of taking some sort of action to restrict young drivers, driving at night. If they did it in the day too, that would be good! Had abuse shouted at me today and a boy racer came very close on a narrow road in Golf GTI. Maybe they should restrict the size of engine until they are fifty!

joe.ford · Post by **joe.ford** » 23 Sep 2007, 9:33pm

Mrs Tortoise wrote: Maybe they should restrict the size of engine until they are fifty!

wouldn't make any difference, they already drive around in cars with little engines, such as 1.4s and below, thats why they're always driving like nutters and revving the nutts off the cars.

Easy solution. Make them drive diesels. It hard to go fast in a diesel, and even harder to make it sound like a race car, just like a tractor :lol:

vernon · Post by **vernon** » 24 Sep 2007, 7:54am

joe.ford wrote:
Mrs Tortoise wrote: Maybe they should restrict the size of engine until they are fifty!

wouldn't make any difference, they already drive around in cars with little engines, such as 1.4s and below, thats why they're always driving like nutters and revving the nutts off the cars.

Easy solution. Make them drive diesels. It hard to go fast in a diesel, and even harder to make it sound like a race car, just like a tractor

Clearly you have never experienced the acceleration of a diesel Audi A3 or some of the newest diesel powered cars.

Responsible behaviour is not stressed at any point in the teaching/learning process of driver training. Perhaps it ought to be incorporated along with the punishment tariffs.

Auchmill · Post by **Auchmill** » 24 Sep 2007, 8:26am

Isn't there another point here? Paul Ripley, one of the country's leading safe-driving experts used to write a column where he stressed having a cocoon of safety around your vehicle - basically keeping a safe distance from other vehicles. Maybe cyclists should do the same. i.e. if a car cuts you up then slow down till it gets out the way and try not to provoke an adverse reaction in the driver by any sort of physical contact with the car. I believe cyclists have the "high moral ground" but many car drivers don't see it that way.

The fact is you don't know who is driving that car - it could be anyone from a saint to an armed criminal.

vernon · Post by **vernon** » 24 Sep 2007, 9:31am

Auchmill wrote:Isn't there another point here? Paul Ripley, one of the country's leading safe-driving experts used to write a column where he stressed having a cocoon of safety around your vehicle - basically keeping a safe distance from other vehicles. Maybe cyclists should do the same. i.e. if a car cuts you up then slow down till it gets out the way and try not to provoke an adverse reaction in the driver by any sort of physical contact with the car. I believe cyclists have the "high moral ground" but many car drivers don't see it that way.

The fact is you don't know who is driving that car - it could be anyone from a saint to an armed criminal.

Paul Ripley is one of the country's self proclaimed save driving experts

You are Paul Smith of Safe Speed AICMFP

Ripley and his peers specialised in massaging the egos of petrol heads who fancied their chances as rally drivers exploring the 'limits of the performance' envelope while promoting the activities as safety enhancing driving techniques.

The cocoon of safety is a variable distance depending whereabouts on the scale between neanderthal and homo sapiens the road user is palced.

Crazydave · Post by **Crazydave** » 24 Sep 2007, 9:47am

All I can say is that I hope he gets a decent jail sentence. The law is way too soft on almost all criminals these days. They really need to cut the red tape and forget about half of this "politically correct" which has ruined the country.

joe.ford · Post by **joe.ford** » 24 Sep 2007, 9:53am

vernon wrote:Clearly you have never experienced the acceleration of a diesel Audi A3 or some of the newest diesel powered cars.

nope I drive a 1991 Isuzu Trooper Diesel, quick as hell for a diesel and its size

But nowhere as quick as a petrol, perhaps drivers should have the same minds set as I do.

I have no abs, air bags or any other safety feature in my car. Which make me aware that I am driving a large, potentialy lethal weapon.

I therefor drive with an extra big gap in front of me (which people insist on filling). And being a 4x4, it rolls around on corners, making me drive slower, and taming the boy racer inside. In my case a 4x4 makes me a safer driver and more observant.

Unfortunatly it dosn't work for all, here a solution, hook bad driver up to the car battery.

Everyone else thats on the road has a remote, when you see them, push little red button

Auchmill · Post by **Auchmill** » 24 Sep 2007, 10:14am

[quote="
Ripley and his peers specialised in massaging the egos of petrol heads who fancied their chances as rally drivers exploring the 'limits of the performance' envelope while promoting the activities as safety enhancing driving techniques.
[/quote]

It's really a waste of time trying to make a sensible point when this is the sort of reply you get. As vulnerable road users we should ride (just as we should drive) defensively and not lay ourselves open to agressive behaviour.

Deckie · Post by **Deckie** » 24 Sep 2007, 12:22pm

I think Jeremy Clarkson once said (or wrote) something very sensible along the lines that cars should be fitted with a four inch sharpened steel spike in place of the driver's airbag. No one would crash then..!

Cars have become too safe for many occupants now who feel themselves immune. Bring on that spike!