Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

Back to news
news
Video
Urban
Community
VIDEO: Driver displays fake police ID to cyclist after being confronted over ‘punishment pass’Still from Aberdeen Cycle Cam YouTube video of close pass

VIDEO: Driver displays fake police ID to cyclist after being confronted over ‘punishment pass’

Claims incident was cyclist’s fault for riding in the middle of the road
by Alex Bowden
Wed, Nov 19, 2014 17:34
32

An Aberdeen cyclist has uploaded a video of when a driver flashed him a fake police ID in an attempt to intimidate him. The exchange took place shortly after the driver had passed at a distance the rider in question estimated to be less than half a metre.

The cyclist, who wishes to be known only by his YouTube username of Aberdeen Cycle Cam, told Aberdeen’s Press and Journal: “I have been cycling to work in Aberdeen for about 13 months. After ten months of harassment, bullying and a few near-misses on the road I decided to record all my commutes. This was the closest pass I have ever experienced.”

When the cyclist is on a roundabout, indicating to exit, the driver blasts his horn before executing what Aberdeen Cycle Cam has described as a ‘punishment pass’. When the man is then confronted at a subsequent red light, he blames Aberdeen Cycle Cam for riding in the middle of the road before claiming to be a serving police officer while brandishing the fake Northumbria Police ID.

“It is aggravated by the fact that the driver had clearly seen me previously on the roundabout and the close pass was on a double lane road. I wasn’t surprised that he tried to blame me – it’s common practice.”

Aberdeen Cycle Cam reported the incident to the police and a spokeswoman confirmed: “This man is in no way connected to Northumbria Police.”

Writing underneath the video, Aberdeen Cycle Cam says that both Aberdeen and Northumbria Police have spoken to the driver who is said to be ‘very remorseful’, attributing his actions to ‘a moment of madness’. A verbal warning was issued.

helmet camera
Helmet cam
Aberdeen Cycle Cam
Aberdeen
Alex Bowden

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

Add new comment

32 comments

Avatar
Oolon Colluphid replied to Jonny_Trousers | 10 years ago
0 likes
Jonny_Trousers wrote:

A weird thing happened to me a couple of years ago. I was driving my car at night in the rain and found myself in a lane I shouldn't have been in. I indicated that I needed to move left, I took my time, I thought I looked carefully in every mirror and then I manoeuvred. With a flashing headlight in my rear view mirror I then discovered that I'd accidentally cut up a scooter rider. At the next set of lights the guy drew up at my side window and had a go at me. For some bizarre reason I told him that I couldn't see him because he was all in black. I have no idea why I got so defensive when I simply should have apologised for what was entirely my mistake. The scooter rider then got overly aggressive and so I had to drive off, but I was so ashamed for behaving like such a cock. There's something about driving a car turns ordinary people into bell-ends.

My point? I'm not sure. Probably the fake police officer cobblers. A very silly thing to do, but worthy of a bollocking only. Over the years of commuting by bike I've come to the conclusion that confrontation is best avoided if possible, no matter how right you are.

I was talking to one of my commuting buddies about just this thing the other day.

I, like, I suspect, most of us who ride a bicycle, also drive and I ride a motorbike. It obviously gives you a perspective right across the board. As a cyclist and a motorcyclist I witness driving that beggars belief, leaves me dumbfounded when I see it. And yet, as a driver, I have to stop myself from getting worked up when I'm made to pause during my journey for anything that I see as unnecessarily holding me up: I had to give myself a right talking to on one drive to work last week because I got annoyed at having to briefly stop whilst someone let their kids out of the car in front of a school.

So, yes. Getting behind a wheel really does turn people into absolute dickheads. Even those who have plenty of experience as more vulnerable road users. I'd love to know what it is about the car that flicks this switch? Is it the inherent feeling of safety and/or superiority because you're surrounded by metal and glass?

Avatar
Joselito | 10 years ago
0 likes

I would have thought easy, low hanging fruit;
Evidence of careless driving:
impersonating a plod.

Oh, not on a bike.

Pages

Latest Comments