What do you think of this video! Disgrace that woman

[horizon]

No point in warmongering unless something was really untoward and in my opinion there wasn't.

Like I said above we're confusing the principle with the practical and thus losing IMV a useful discussion.

[thirdcrank]

If we take this as something of a learning exercise - and I'm all for that - I'd offer this.

I've made the point before that if footage from a helmetcam or similar were to presented as evidence in a bad-driving case, then the normal procedure would be to use it to corroborate the verbal evidence of the cameraman. Ie they would describe what they witnessed and then present their blockbuster as corroborating - tending to support the truth of - what they had said.

Except in unusual circumstances (eg hostile witness) it's normal that a witness statement is obtained from every witness including all the admissible evidence. Anything not picked up by whoever takes the statement, or not requested in the form of further evidence by the CPS is likely to be picked up by the defence, which is why prosecutors are keen to have the information beforehand, rather than seeing a prosecution witness shredded during cross-examination. Here's an example, [..] Stuff in square brackets is my own annotation. () Round brackets are the space to insert info. Remember, BTW that a prosecution witness has no right to silence if they are asked what they think is the wrong questions.

I am an experienced cyclist [some details?] and I have held a driving licence for X years [I mention this because the driver queried it]

At (time) on (date) I was riding along (name of road) which is a very narrow lane some (approx width) wide with informal [I didn't notice any PASSING PLACE sign]passing places. (Insert other description to taste.)

I was unfamiliar with this road/ I am very familiar with this road (or whatever.)

I was riding at about (insert speed) which I know from my cycle computer/ is my estimate (or whatever.

I saw a (describe approaching vehicle) being driven towards me at (give some suggestion of speed, even if it's only something like "quite fast for the type of road.") When I first saw this vehicle it was about (distance away) and I saw that the driver did not stop and wait for me to pass at an informal passing place. I felt that the width of the vehicle on this narrow road did not leave sufficient space for us to pass each other safely.

I carried on riding towards the other vehicle and shouted (insert what was shouted) to the driver of the approaching vehicle. The driver of the other vehicle then pulled into her nearside so her nearside wheels were at the edge of the carriageway and I rode past, shouting (insert words) to the driver. At that point the available space was about (insert distance.)

[I'd say that's pretty much the end of the evidence of bad driving unless the identity of the driver was in dispute, in which case there's a pretty good mug shot. An investigating officer should include a note that there had been a subsequent confrontation, just so the prosecutor was aware.]

I recorded this incident on my helmet-mounted camera and I handed the original unedited memory card to PC X and signed a lebel identifying this exhibit. [Might as well include the reason for having a camera because the defence may ask.]

Not definitive of course, just a serving suggestion.

[gaz]

.

[thirdcrank]

I didn't think that the idea of signed passing places was unfamiliar. I suppose I'm most familiar with roads signed "Single track road with passing places" in Scotland, if only because that's where I see most single track roads. Recently, the minor road between Barnby Dunn and the A19 in South Yorkshire has been "improved" and surfaced passing places installed with signs. Too recent to be on streetview.

I think one of the reasons to mark them as passing places is to try to avoid their use as laybys, which defeats the object.

In a case going to court, I can see a difference between something officially provided and something formed by regular use, even though the latter is more likely to be in the best place.

[MikeF]

I frequently encounter this problem.

I think in this case there was enough room left for the cyclist and she had pulled well into the hedge, but I agree it is very irritating for a car to not stop at a passing place when they can see a cyclist approaching. I sometimes mutter to myself about it to relieve my annoyance, but that's about it.
But rather worryingly the woman said would stop for a car, but not a bicycle. Obviously, to her, a bicycle occupies zero space and she expects cyclists to get off. Ironically a person pushing a bicycle occupies more space than one riding it.

A little while back I was nearly at the top of Clacket Lane - yes the one that gives its name to services on the southern section of the M25. I was approximately here when a smart little car drove down from the top end. This road is not wide enough for a car and a cyclist or (walking pedestrian) to pass, so we both stopped face to face - impasse! I straddled the bike, he pulled in his wing mirror, and I managed to shuffle by, but even then my pannier accidentally ( and it was accidental!) brushed the side of his highly polished rear wing. I did say it might have been easy if he had waited at the top of the road! I never hurry in these situations if only to make the point the motorist gains nothing in time by not waiting in a sensible place!

[Jay Gee]

I do a lot of cycling on narrow country lanes - it's striking how different drivers behave. Some drivers wait cautiously at a distance when really there is plenty of room to pass side by side - others coming rushing on with no intention to stop, and pass closer than is comfortable.

FWIW I thought the video cyclist's tone towards the driver was unnecessarily rude, and I'm not surprised that he got an angry and defensive response. Not sure that he has helped driver / cyclist relations, or encouraged her to behave any better next time.