Reporting unsafe drivers to police?

[jrenaut]

Not sure the police can give a ticket from a video, but it’s worth reporting. Twitter shaming with the #bikeDC hashtag is good too.

[cvcalhoun]

@Zack 157949 wrote:

Anyone ever report an unsafe driver to the police? I had a green Mini pass me too closely this morning on Maine Ave and have a video of the incident. I wondered if there was a way to report it and possibly get the driver cited? Maybe the last part of that is pure fantasy but I have no idea how to do it.

When I reported someone to the police in DC based on a video, they said they were able to prosecute based on that. Only problem was it was a Maryland driver, and they don’t have access to Maryland driver information based on the license plate number, so they had to wait until the person was back in DC and someone happened to run the plates.

[chris_s]

If it happens to you in Arlington, you can report them with this form and Arlington PD will send them a letter.

[scoot]

@chris_s 157957 wrote:

If it happens to you in Arlington, you can report them with this form and Arlington PD will send them a letter.

Thanks for this link. But I encounter threats from distracted drivers more frequently than aggressive ones. I think they should get warning letters too. Since I don’t see anywhere else to report drivers that are dangerous but not aggressive per se, I guess I should just report them on this form also?

[Zack]

@cvcalhoun 157956 wrote:

When I reported someone to the police in DC based on a video, they said they were able to prosecute based on that. Only problem was it was a Maryland driver, and they don’t have access to Maryland driver information based on the license plate number, so they had to wait until the person was back in DC and someone happened to run the plates.

Interesting, appreciate you sharing your experience. What form did you use? Or did you have go into a station? This guy was a DC driver.

[cvcalhoun]

@Zack 157966 wrote:

Interesting, appreciate you sharing your experience. What form did you use? Or did you have go into a station? This guy was a DC driver.

I was actually hit (although it was more like tapped; I didn’t even fall off the bike). I reported it immediately afterward by calling 911. They sent police over to take the report.

[dasgeh]

@scoot 157964 wrote:

Thanks for this link. But I encounter threats from distracted drivers more frequently than aggressive ones. I think they should get warning letters too. Since I don’t see anywhere else to report drivers that are dangerous but not aggressive per se, I guess I should just report them on this form also?

I would say operating a multi-ton vehicle without paying full attention is aggressive.

[Brett L.]

@scoot 157964 wrote:

Thanks for this link. But I encounter threats from distracted drivers more frequently than aggressive ones. I think they should get warning letters too. Since I don’t see anywhere else to report drivers that are dangerous but not aggressive per se, I guess I should just report them on this form also?

FWIW, my workplace actually considers driving a vehicle in any irresponsible manner (including driving too slow, believe it or not) to be aggressive driving.

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