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Police appeal for witnesses after driver berates the cyclist she hit

“Hopefully they can find her because it was shocking behaviour,” says one passer-by

Police are appealing for witnesses after a cyclist was injured in a hit and run in Dundee city centre on Wednesday evening. The driver is said to have yelled aggressively at the cyclist immediately after the collision without checking he was okay.

The Courier reports that the incident occurred at the junction of Guthrie Street and Brown Street at about 5pm.

Sarah Slater, who was walking down Guthrie Street at the time, said she didn’t see the collision, but witnessed what happened afterwards.

“The female driver sped up as if she was going to drive away but then stopped after getting stuck in traffic.

“After yelling aggressively down the street at the cyclist she got back in her car and quickly drove away. I couldn’t believe it.

“You would think that after hitting someone you would check if they are okay, regardless of whose fault it was. But this woman was angry at him. The cyclist could have been really hurt for all she knew.”

Slater said that the cyclist, who was lying on the road, got up afterwards and was “understandably upset.”

She said there were plenty of people about. “Some went to help the cyclist. I think they managed to get her registration plate and call the police about it. Hopefully they can find her because it was shocking behaviour.”

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “Police Scotland attended a road traffic incident involving a cyclist and a car at 5.10pm in Brown Street, Dundee on Wednesday.

“The cyclist suffered minor injuries and officers are keen to trace the driver of a blue BMW.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting reference 2855 of 7 November.”

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26 comments

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brooksby | 5 years ago
2 likes

Quote:

She said there were plenty of people about. “Some went to help the cyclist. I think they managed to get her registration plate and call the police about it. Hopefully they can find her because it was shocking behaviour.”

Erm - so can't the police just look up the number plate, find the registered keeper, and have a chat to see what their recent movements have been?  Especially if the registered keeper is a woman in or near Dundee??

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Yorkshire wallet replied to brooksby | 5 years ago
3 likes

brooksby wrote:

Quote:

She said there were plenty of people about. “Some went to help the cyclist. I think they managed to get her registration plate and call the police about it. Hopefully they can find her because it was shocking behaviour.”

Erm - so can't the police just look up the number plate, find the registered keeper, and have a chat to see what their recent movements have been?  Especially if the registered keeper is a woman in or near Dundee??

From previous stories in Scotland it seems that you actually pre-book your accident to be witnessed by a policeman or they aren't interested even with video evidence and 10 wise men as witnesses.

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iandusud | 5 years ago
8 likes

When I was a teenager (many years ago) I got knocked off my bike by a van driver turning right across my path. He claimed I was going too fast. When I asked him why he thought I was going too fast he said because he hadn't seen me, therefore I must have been going too fast. He then cleared off leaving me with a ruined rear wheel. Fortunately one of my mates who was with me followed him to his home address and then came back to my house, where now I was, and told me. We phoned the police who brought him round to my house to look at the damage to my bike and to explain his version of events. He repeated the same thing to the policeman, who stopped him and advised him to shut up and offer to pay for the repairs. He did. 

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Glov Zaroff | 5 years ago
8 likes

There’s a HUGE movement in Dundee at the moment to give the cycling infrastructure in the city and surrounding areas (Perth as well) a further boost. Local Councillors and cycling action groups are getting involved which is fantastic. The city even held the Cycling Scotland Conference this week with delegates from across Europe attending. However, the downside to this has been the increased media coverage which is getting the backs up of the overweight plankton in their tin boxes who think they’re going to be hard done by (the concept of reducing congestion, improving air quality and quality of life is, as with the majority of non-cycling drivers in the UK, completely beyond comprehension). This incident was just waiting to happen and the road this occurred on is a hellish place for a cyclist during rush hour - I wouldn't ride it between 16:30 and 18:00. It is however a rarity in Dundee (I think this is possibly the second car/bike incident this year) which is located in one of the best riding areas in Scotland.

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jaysa replied to Glov Zaroff | 5 years ago
6 likes

See 59 wrote:

... the overweight plankton in their tin boxes ...

fantastic!! people at work wondered what I was laughing at  1

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vonhelmet | 5 years ago
6 likes

If you’re hitting the roundabout at 60km/h, I hope you’re en route to the national cycling centre for your next training session.

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brooksby | 5 years ago
3 likes

There's one comment on the original story (local news) so far:

Quote:

Go away cyclists. Slow roadblocks. 

Just makes you feel warm inside, doesn't it... 

Avatar
StuInNorway replied to brooksby | 5 years ago
5 likes

brooksby wrote:

There's one comment on the original story (local news) so far:

Quote:

Go away cyclists. Slow roadblocks. 

Just makes you feel warm inside, doesn't it... 

It's either that or we are going too fast and are dangerous.
Colleague at work was complaining that cyclists avoid a shared use underpass at one roundabout in town here, instead choosing the straighter, flatter roundabout (rather than the narrow, poorly lit, steep with sharp bends tunnel system underneath), as we were a hinder to traffic as we went slower than the main traffic . .  I then pointed out that as all traffic should be progressing with caution, based on the "give way" lines at all entrances his next sentence was "But you cyclists take that roundabout at 50 and 60km an hour" . .  He never has explained how we can be a hinder if we are speeding ?

Avatar
burtthebike replied to StuInNorway | 5 years ago
12 likes

StuInNorway wrote:

It's either that or we are going too fast and are dangerous.

Colleague at work was complaining that cyclists avoid a shared use underpass at one roundabout in town here, instead choosing the straighter, flatter roundabout (rather than the narrow, poorly lit, steep with sharp bends tunnel system underneath), as we were a hinder to traffic as we went slower than the main traffic . .  I then pointed out that as all traffic should be progressing with caution, based on the "give way" lines at all entrances his next sentence was "But you cyclists take that roundabout at 50 and 60km an hour" . .  He never has explained how we can be a hinder if we are speeding ?

Have you not explained the concept of Shrodinger's cyclist?  Simultaneously going too fast and too slow.

Avatar
hawkinspeter replied to burtthebike | 5 years ago
13 likes

burtthebike wrote:

StuInNorway wrote:

It's either that or we are going too fast and are dangerous.

Colleague at work was complaining that cyclists avoid a shared use underpass at one roundabout in town here, instead choosing the straighter, flatter roundabout (rather than the narrow, poorly lit, steep with sharp bends tunnel system underneath), as we were a hinder to traffic as we went slower than the main traffic . .  I then pointed out that as all traffic should be progressing with caution, based on the "give way" lines at all entrances his next sentence was "But you cyclists take that roundabout at 50 and 60km an hour" . .  He never has explained how we can be a hinder if we are speeding ?

Have you not explained the concept of Shrodinger's cyclist?  Simultaneously going too fast and too slow.

It's because of the hi-viz - once you can definitely see where the cyclist is, their speed becomes much more uncertain.

Avatar
burtthebike replied to hawkinspeter | 5 years ago
5 likes

hawkinspeter wrote:

Have you not explained the concept of Shrodinger's cyclist?  Simultaneously going too fast and too slow.

It's because of the hi-viz - once you can definitely see where the cyclist is, their speed becomes much more uncertain.

[/quote]

Very subtle, I love it.

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ChrisB200SX replied to hawkinspeter | 5 years ago
10 likes

hawkinspeter wrote:

burtthebike wrote:

Have you not explained the concept of Shrodinger's cyclist?  Simultaneously going too fast and too slow.

It's because of the hi-viz - once you can definitely see where the cyclist is, their speed becomes much more uncertain.

Ah, Heisenberg's cyclist  1

Avatar
Mungecrundle replied to burtthebike | 5 years ago
7 likes

burtthebike wrote:

StuInNorway wrote:

It's either that or we are going too fast and are dangerous.

Colleague at work was complaining that cyclists avoid a shared use underpass at one roundabout in town here, instead choosing the straighter, flatter roundabout (rather than the narrow, poorly lit, steep with sharp bends tunnel system underneath), as we were a hinder to traffic as we went slower than the main traffic . .  I then pointed out that as all traffic should be progressing with caution, based on the "give way" lines at all entrances his next sentence was "But you cyclists take that roundabout at 50 and 60km an hour" . .  He never has explained how we can be a hinder if we are speeding ?

Have you not explained the concept of Shrodinger's cyclist?  Simultaneously going too fast and too slow.

 

I once got a very near left hook (first exit) on the roundabout coming onto the housing estate where I live. Having been forced to turn left with the car which then tried to brake check me, I went past and got a mouthful of abuse from the driver's window about being in the way and that I shouldn't be speeding on the estate, didn't I know it is a 20mph limit? It isn't, but I've always marvelled at the logic that you would overtake someone who was speeding just to slow them down and then also claim that they were in your way.

Avatar
burtthebike replied to Mungecrundle | 5 years ago
3 likes

Mungecrundle wrote:

I once got a very near left hook (first exit) on the roundabout coming onto the housing estate where I live. Having been forced to turn left with the car which then tried to brake check me, I went past and got a mouthful of abuse from the driver's window about being in the way and that I shouldn't be speeding on the estate, didn't I know it is a 20mph limit? It isn't, but I've always marvelled at the logic that you would overtake someone who was speeding just to slow them down and then also claim that they were in your way.

When I was younger and had a joke of a sports car, Triumph Spitfire, I drove to my girlfriend's house in Weston, and overtook a few cars on the way, one of which flashed their lights and sounded their horn, and then proceeded to drive like a bat out of hell to overtake me.  I was stopped a bit farther on by a policeman who said they'd had a complaint about my driving, specifically my speed.  He dropped the whole thing when I pointed out that the complainer had had to drive much faster than me to get to him in time to report it before I got there.

Avatar
Mungecrundle replied to burtthebike | 5 years ago
7 likes

burtthebike wrote:

Mungecrundle wrote:

I once got a very near left hook (first exit) on the roundabout coming onto the housing estate where I live. Having been forced to turn left with the car which then tried to brake check me, I went past and got a mouthful of abuse from the driver's window about being in the way and that I shouldn't be speeding on the estate, didn't I know it is a 20mph limit? It isn't, but I've always marvelled at the logic that you would overtake someone who was speeding just to slow them down and then also claim that they were in your way.

When I was younger and had a joke of a sports car, Triumph Spitfire, I drove to my girlfriend's house in Weston, and overtook a few cars on the way, one of which flashed their lights and sounded their horn, and then proceeded to drive like a bat out of hell to overtake me.  I was stopped a bit farther on by a policeman who said they'd had a complaint about my driving, specifically my speed.  He dropped the whole thing when I pointed out that the complainer had had to drive much faster than me to get to him in time to report it before I got there.

 

Did the car that overtook you have hi viz stripes down the sides, blue flashy lights and was it parked near where the Policeman approached you?

 

Avatar
burtthebike replied to Mungecrundle | 5 years ago
1 like

Mungecrundle wrote:

Did the car that overtook you have hi viz stripes down the sides, blue flashy lights and was it parked near where the Policeman approached you?

[/quote]

No.  Next question.

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StraelGuy replied to Mungecrundle | 5 years ago
3 likes

Mungecrundle wrote:

...but I've always marvelled at the logic that you would overtake someone who was speeding just to slow them down and then also claim that they were in your way.

 

That is a particularly interesting level of stupid ...

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Organon replied to burtthebike | 5 years ago
2 likes

burtthebike wrote:

Have you not explained the concept of Shrodinger's cyclist?  Simultaneously going too fast and too slow.

Today I learned that c = speed of cyclist, as in E=mc^2.

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Kendalred | 5 years ago
12 likes

So now it's not even enough to be berated for 'getting in drivers' way', they are now mowing us down to prove the point. THEN berating us for scratching their paintwork. What a piece of shit.

I realise we shouldn't really be fostering a 'them and us' attitude, but it's getting so bloody difficult these days.

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Simon E replied to Kendalred | 5 years ago
8 likes

KendalRed wrote:

I realise we shouldn't really be fostering a 'them and us' attitude, but it's getting so bloody difficult these days.

But there is no 'them and us'.

80% of cyclists drive and 100% are also pedestrians. I drive, cycle, walk, use buses and trains. I am just as angry at shitty, selfish or aggressive behaviour regardless of my mode of transport at the time.

But the gutter press love it. And every time someone clicks a link to the Daily Mail website they are feeding the hate. So just f..king STOP!

brooksby wrote:

I (still) blame Thatcher yes

Same here. I detest what she has done to this country.

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iandusud replied to Kendalred | 5 years ago
3 likes

KendalRed wrote:

I realise we shouldn't really be fostering a 'them and us' attitude, but it's getting so bloody difficult these days.

You're quite right that we shouldn't foster a 'them and us' attitude. Please, all of us, avoid this. It's what the Daily Mail readers do. The fact of the matter is that most road users are sensible and considerate. It's just a small minority that, unfortunately, present a serious threat to life and limb. They need to be targetted (maybe litterally!).

 

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ridiculouscyclist | 5 years ago
24 likes

A> Driver knocks over cyclist - very little press coverage, it happens, get over it.

B> Cyclist knocks over pedestrian - worldwide press coverage akin to the end of civilisation. Daily Mail readers suffer nervous fits of rage, Parliament debates new laws.

Would be funny, except it's true.

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burtthebike | 5 years ago
15 likes

JHC, thanks Mail, and all the other anti-cyclist propaganda spewing media.  It is now accepted by some people that you can knock down another human being with your vehicle and then drive off without checking that they aren't dead or dying; if they're a cyclist.

I wonder if this will be featured in the Mail etc?

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hawkinspeter replied to burtthebike | 5 years ago
8 likes

burtthebike wrote:

JHC, thanks Mail, and all the other anti-cyclist propaganda spewing media.  It is now accepted by some people that you can knock down another human being with your vehicle and then drive off without checking that they aren't dead or dying; if they're a cyclist.

I wonder if this will be featured in the Mail etc?

To be fair, most people would think that the driver was a piece of shit for doing that.

Avatar
maviczap replied to hawkinspeter | 5 years ago
6 likes

hawkinspeter wrote:

burtthebike wrote:

JHC, thanks Mail, and all the other anti-cyclist propaganda spewing media.  It is now accepted by some people that you can knock down another human being with your vehicle and then drive off without checking that they aren't dead or dying; if they're a cyclist.

I wonder if this will be featured in the Mail etc?

To be fair, most people would think that the driver was a piece of shit for doing that.

Whilst I agree with MOST people, I think there's a disturbing number (and growing) who don't have a conscience and aren't bothered what the consequences of their actions.

With a good lawyer, you'll escape jail

Avatar
brooksby replied to maviczap | 5 years ago
17 likes

maviczap wrote:

Whilst I agree with MOST people, I think there's a disturbing number (and growing) who don't have a conscience and aren't bothered what the consequences of their actions.

I'll throw down litter because the council pays someone to clean the streets, don't they?  (Until the council also pays for people to go around fining people they see dropping litter).

I'll avoid declaring all my income or move it offshore - its a victimless crime, isn't it? (Meaning government and councils have less money to spend).

I'll nudge this person out of my way / run them over (potato/potato) and then carry on, because I'm busy and in a hurry, dammit!

Too many people in This Modern Age have been led to believe that there's no such thing as society, that they are not responsible for anyone else's happiness or livelihood, so f- 'em!

I (still) blame Thatcher yes

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