Contacting companies about their driver's behaviour

prj45

So I witnessed two incidents with livered vehicles today that compel me to write to the company regarding the behaviour of the drivers; somebody cutting a cyclist up in a skip lorry in an apparent attempt to intimidate them and somebody using a mobile phone whilst "driving" a seven ton truck, badly.

However, in both case words were exchanged with the drivers and considering the aggression and potential for violence on display by them I really don't want these companies knowing who I am and where I live just in case the driver finds out.

I was thinking of just logging the incidents on that police site thingy, but I'd really like the companies to know how negatively their drivers are representing them on the roads.

I thought another option would be to write to the LCC or CTC and have it write to the companies, i.e. "One of our members has written to us and..."

Any advice/ideas?

Splottboy

I was teaching a Mtb Leaders course in S.Wales, and just before the ride, a White Van Man pressed me and the bike against a small wall.
Nearly broke my ankle, bent the rear wheel/derailleur. Very scary situation...
Contacted the company, and they didn't really want to know, but the centres staff witnessed it all. Driver, an ex Policeman, denied it all.

BCF Insurance contacted, Result: £600 compo.

kurako

I'd write to a company no worries. Have done in the past. The met police site is a good one because they log complaints against each vehicle. Also not many companies would be very happy about a warning letter from the police. Of course its always best if you've got video to back up your accusations.

redvee

I've fired off an email to DHL , pulled out on me at a roundabout, and a flooring company, cut me up. Both times I included youtube links, DHL telephoned me and gave the corporate reply along the lines of 'we take these matters seriously, thank you for bringing to our attention, the driver in question will be dealt with etc which is the standard reply you'll get if you get a response. The flooring company email was sent direct to the director as his was the only email I found on their website, as yet I'm still awaiting a response

snellgrove

One of my relatives used to phone the number on the back of the van from his car (proper bluetooth hands free cleverness builtin - new Honda Civic) quite frequently, both on good & bad behaviour. Had a few successes.

Splottboy - that sounds pretty darn awful + scary!

gaz545

I've reported many companies bad driving. Mostly done online via e-mail or online submission form on there website.

Ranging from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GcTO80t59I - where i got a response just saying it's been passed on to the correct department. to.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PECjaNvRzBQ where i got no response.. also no response from this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91WXULmbF3E


BUT i've had a few great response.
One where i was cut up by a LGV, had it on video, sent it to the company, the employees fucked around and started commenting on it. then they uploaded videos of them driving the LGV one handed whilst using a video camera, the windscreen was also cracked. I sent another e-mail and this time the CEO got told. He asked me to ring him and i did, he was very apologetic about the whole thing, and he said he had addressed his whole work force over this. I removed the video for him due to his pleasant nature.


If you read the following article about a cyclist using the online met road safe form and the driving losing his job. It shows they will contact the company involved...
http://road.cc/content/news/16230-londo ... ce-website

suzyb

If you don't receive any response from the company or they just tell you to get lost could you go to the local newspaper. Or could you get into legal trouble doing so (even with video evidence).

spen666

There is little a company or the police can do without evidence.

Your refusal to identify yourself means your allegations are not useable as evidence.

You either have to put up or shut up.

asprilla

gaz545, this has probably been asked before, but what's your camera set-up?

chuckcork

Interesting to know the Met have this website.

I think I might be visiting it in future...

spen666

chuckcork wrote:

Interesting to know the Met have this website.

I think I might be visiting it in future...

I hate to say it, but I suspect reporting things on this website is going to do you as much good as getting a chocolate teapot.
I'd be amazed if any direct action was ever taken against any individual following any reports on this website

I hope I am wrong, but I doubt it

kurako

spen666 wrote:

chuckcork wrote:

Interesting to know the Met have this website.

I think I might be visiting it in future...

I hate to say it, but I suspect reporting things on this website is going to do you as much good as getting a chocolate teapot.
I'd be amazed if any direct action was ever taken against any individual following any reports on this website

I hope I am wrong, but I doubt it

The met site is anonymous so there's a limit to what the police can do as you well know. They do log complaints and they do send out warning letters to the registered keeper.

If they feel an incident is serious enough to prosecute they'd have to go down the normal route of taking statements, getting certified evidence, etc.

I think it has its uses. Its way better than what used to happen in the past which would normally be a raging argument between cyclist and motorist (been there, done that). If it helps to improve the standard of driving then I'm all for it.

spen666

Kurako wrote:

spen666 wrote:

chuckcork wrote:

Interesting to know the Met have this website.

I think I might be visiting it in future...

I hate to say it, but I suspect reporting things on this website is going to do you as much good as getting a chocolate teapot.
I'd be amazed if any direct action was ever taken against any individual following any reports on this website

I hope I am wrong, but I doubt it

The met site is anonymous so there's a limit to what the police can do as you well know. They do log complaints and they do send out warning letters to the registered keeper.

a) I'd be interested to know in what % of reported cases they do this
b) the letters are not worth the paer they are written on as cannot form part of a future action if based on anonymous reports

If they feel an incident is serious enough to prosecute they'd have to go down the normal route of taking statements, getting certified evidence, etc.

I think it has its uses. Its way better than what used to happen in the past which would normally be a raging argument between cyclist and motorist (been there, done that). If it helps to improve the standard of driving then I'm all for it.

I think this site is an excuse for the police to pretend to be doing something whilst not actually doing anything at all

OldSkoolKona

gaz545 wrote:

If you read the following article about a cyclist using the online met road safe form and the driving losing his job. It shows they will contact the company involved...
http://road.cc/content/news/16230-londo ... ce-website

Has had quite a bit of coverage, the guy involved posts regularly on LFGSS:

LCC - http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=1773

London Evening Standard - http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/ ... cyclist.do

There was also a bit on it on Radio 2 yesterday.

spen666

OldSkoolKona wrote:

gaz545 wrote:

If you read the following article about a cyclist using the online met road safe form and the driving losing his job. It shows they will contact the company involved...
http://road.cc/content/news/16230-londo ... ce-website

Has had quite a bit of coverage, the guy involved posts regularly on LFGSS:

LCC - http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=1773

London Evening Standard - http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/ ... cyclist.do

There was also a bit on it on Radio 2 yesterday.

The cyclist himself contacted the company as well. I have my doubts the police did anything at all. I doubt police contacted the company.

I hope I am wrong