Is there a way to report insane drivers?

[StephanieK]

I was inches from being hit by a complete maniac today. Since he didn’t make the next light (such a surprise), I rolled up to him to let him know that he almost hit me…naively thinking he would care. He proceeded to be a megga jerk! I took a picture of his car and got a snap of his MD license plate.

After getting through that light, a car drove up to me and told me he saw the whole thing and would attest to how nuts the guy was driving and how close he came to me. Is there anything I can do?

I know, I know…I should just be glad I am ok (and my bike too), but I’m still mad, and people like this are bound to actually hit someone sooner or later.

Thanks for any tips!
-Stephanie

Topic

[jabberwocky]

I’ve reported drivers to Fairfax County PD before and they’ve been surprisingly responsive. They can’t really do much with no witnesses, but they’ve been happy to take down the drivers info and send an officer by their house later on to let them know they were reported and give them some “advice” on proper driving technique around cyclists.

[Dirt]

I report every incident of vehicular harassment to the local authorities. Get as much information as you can. Some jurisdictions do nothing. Some actually follow up. At least the authorities hear about incidents. It adds to the chorus of people saying there is a problem out there. I talk to the police almost every week. DC occasionally pretends to listen. Arlington doesn’t really want to hear it. Fairfax listens and, if it is a particularly bad occurrence, responds. They’ve sent out an officer to take my statement and follow up with the driver on at least three occasions.

I’m happy that you’re okay.

Pete

[jabberwocky]

Just to add, the officers I’ve spoken to at Fairfax have all said to report drivers if possible. They might not be able to do much (no citation or anything without a witness) but it does get kept on record, and if the driver does hit someone or is reported by someone else it will show up.

[StephanieK]

Thanks for the responses…they definitely made me feel better. I just got off the phone with DC police. They’ll take a report when I get back home tonight. I’m kind of doubtful anything will come of it, especially since this guy is from Maryland, but I have no doubt he’s bound to do someone harm, and if this adds to his record, that’s good enough for me.

[Dirt]

Too many people just accept that this kind of thing happens and don’t report it. What use is a voice if you don’t use it? Thanks Stephanie for making the call. Every little bit helps.

[OneEighth]

Good for you, Stephanie. I hope everyone else follows your example.
And, very glad you weren’t hurt.

[PrintError]

FFXPD have always thanked me for the info, and told me that they DO send officers to the residence for a friendly chat. Definitely report it.

Makes me wish I had a camera when I rode.

[DSalovesh]

This sounds like a considerable improvement from when I decided a few years back not to bother.

Glad to hear they’re not ignoring it any more, and I’ll try reporting some again!

[CCrew]

@PrintError 8070 wrote:

FFXPD have always thanked me for the info, and told me that they DO send officers to the residence for a friendly chat. Definitely report it.

Makes me wish I had a camera when I rode.

I got in a bit of an altercation with one last year and I’ll vouch for the fact that FFX takes them seriously. It was a bit of a “he said she said” until I produced video. Cop politely asked the driver if she was interested in changing her statement (without telling her I had it all on video)… and promptly issued her a ticket.

[Dirt]

If warm fuzzies from the police department is what you’re looking for, Fairfax is definitely the best place to get harassed by a car. Other jurisdictions have at best pretended to care and at worst asked me “What do you want me to do about it?” (though that last comment was actually about 15 years ago.

Hopefully others will follow.

Love,

Pete

[americancyclo]

Just got harassed by a driver less than a block from my house near Shreve Rd. Called in to Fairfax and they have offered to send an officer out for a statement. Definitely warm and fuzzy.
Dispatch had an officer call me back. He offered to make that a stop on his regular route and suggested I call the McLean office and ask for an extra patrol to be stationed in that area.

[Bill Hole]

Montgomery County police ain’t care. They’ve never followed up on any of my calls. One of the many things that make me wonder why the county gets recognized for being good for cyclists and peds, when it is easily the most ped/bike hostile jurisdiction in the area.

[mstone]

@Bill Hole 41171 wrote:

Montgomery County police ain’t care. They’ve never followed up on any of my calls. One of the many things that make me wonder why the county gets recognized for being good for cyclists and peds, when it is easily the most ped/bike hostile jurisdiction in the area.

You must not get to Loudon much.

[baiskeli]

It might not do much more than make you feel better, but you could expose this driver to the world here:

http://www.faildriver.com/

[Author]

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