Reporting a dangerous driver

Tallon

Right guys, I need some advice here.

I was on the way to Leixlip today from the Celbridge direction. When I got to the lights at the N4 I noticed a car reversing UP the on-ramp. What made it worse was that the traffic from the N4 outbound was going straight through the junction to go back on the N4 because of those stupid red cones that block you from merging.

Anyway, this guy was seriously taking the pi$$, not only was it a stupid thing to do, but it's so dangerous.

He then waited for the lights to go green and tried to pull out in front of the first van almost causing a RTA and then forced his way in front of the second van. I was behind that van at this stage and when they guy in front of me turned off at the next roundabout, I was behind the driver.

The whole way into Leixlip village he kept touching the breaks like there was no tomorrow even though everyone was moving a nice steady pace and not slowing at all. Even when we stopped in Leixlip village at the lights he kept driving forward and braking again and again even though there was noone moving. Very strange

Now, I took a photo of his reg and also of him at the top of the ramp.

I went into the Gardai and told them and showed them the photos. They said I would have to make a formal complaint and to be willing to go to court over it.

Now I don't really have a problem with that, but would obviously prefer not to have to go to court and take a day off work etc etc

So what should I do? Let it go? Make a formal complaint to the gardai?

I really hate people who are dicks on the roads, and this guy was one serious dick.

Any advice appreciated.

Cheers

exaisle

It's the weekend. Forget about it. He isnt worth getting stressed over.

drunkmonkey

Could the breaking be put down to driving an auto, did this person endanger you?

Tallon

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Could the breaking be put down to driving an auto

Never thought of that, cheers

drunkmonkey wrote: »

did this person endanger you?

He endangered everyone at that junction at that time

MagicMarker

exaisle wrote: »

It's the weekend. Forget about it. He isnt worth getting stressed over.

You're right, he's not worth stressing over.

That's why the OP should decide now that he's going to go to court and punish the bastard!

Now, time for a beer!!

Absurdum

Let it go, there could be a good reason for his behaviour, maybe his missus was about to pop a kid out.

Tallon

Absurdum wrote: »

Let it go, there could be a good reason for his behaviour, maybe his missus was about to pop a kid out.

There is no reason to reverse up an on-ramp...

If it was a pregnancy would it not make more sense to go onto the motorway towards the hospital than through a town with traffic?

There is never a good reason to endanger other road users

Voodoomelon

On an off the brakes is erratic driving, whether it be a manual or automatic.

drunkmonkey

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Could the breaking be put down to driving an auto, did this person endanger you?

I wouldn't think so to be honest, I drive an auto at the moment and no one behind me would know from my braking activity. Only time is when edging out of the drive or parking spaces and the like.

-Corkie-

RoverJames wrote: »

I wouldn't think so to be honest, I drive an auto at the moment and no one behind me would know from my braking activity. Only time is when edging out of the drive or parking spaces and the like.

Thats true. Nothing worse than being in a line of moving traffic and some fool like that brakeing like mad in front of you when the traffic is moving smoothly.. Op the cops still can have a word with the driver without procesuting him/her. Maybe they will have an explanation for there behaviour..

djimi

Ill be honest, while I see this kind of stupid behaviour a lot and it does my head in, unless the idiot damn near ploughed you out of it or you have a lot of spare time on your hands Id just let it go. Give the guards the reg number of the car and any pictures you may have taken and leave it at that. From what I can gather they will take a note of the reg so if another complaint comes in there is a record that it isnt the first time.

I wouldnt see it as being worth taking a day off work to go to court over.

Tallon

Upon reflection and from reading the comments I think I'll just hand in the photos and a quick nameless statement

I should have mentioned in the OP that I don't really want the driver getting points or whatever, just a good bollocking for being a douche of a driver

MagicMarker

Typical, more of the same bitching and moaning I see on here all the time but when someone has a chance to do something about it they bottle it.

Tallon

MagicMarker wrote: »

Now, time for a beer!!

MagicMarker wrote: »

Typical, more of the same bitching and moaning I see on here all the time but when someone has a chance to do something about it they bottle it.

If you still feel the same in the morning, let me know and I might consider following through on it. But as I said, it's just inconvenient for me to go to court etc.

Esel

Tallon wrote: »

...and a quick nameless statement...

Not worth the paper it's written on. You can make a report, including giving your details, without agreeing to give evidence - afaik.

CharlieCroker

It's not up to you to decide if its dangerous driving, its the Gardai and the DPP. IMO, it's Driving without reasonable consideration or Careless Driving, not Dangerous Driving.

Unfortunately, without you making a formal complaint, NOTHING will happen. If a guard calls to his door to have a word, all he/she has to do is deny it. you're word against his as you're pictures don't really show any offence happening (static picture).

I'm not saying what he/she did was right but if you want anything to happen with it, you'll need to be willing to follow it through to court

Tallon

Cheers CC