Near Misses Volume 2 (So close you can feel it)

Yoozername.

I don’t have a video but this happened yesterday.

I was cycling along and an L driver overtook me and gave me plenty of room going over the other side of the road. (Nissan Micra).

A BMW driver squeezed past me and undertook the car that was overtaking me.

Insane.

MyDarkArts

Had a bit of a close pass heading inbound on the N11 near Stillorgan from a mini-bus, wasn't in any real danger as I was on the cusp of stopping at the lights anyway. What was more of an issue was that the bus came near to hitting a mother and child at the pedestrian crossing, and probably would've at least tipped the child if the mother wasn't on the ball and pulled the kid back out of the way.

John_Rambo

Private bus drivers are the pits.

Kaisr Sose

IMG_20220308_194844.jpg

I had a really scary pass last week by car driving wrong side of the road at over 100km. I had to stop pedalling and move in and I thought I was gone.

I have rear fly 6 footage only but can't make the reg out. I think it's captured but needs some work in a pro editing pacage Can someone recomend something online that I could put original footage through and not loose footage that's already not so good (fly 6 is not HD)

I dont know how to post footage. If someone has a special set of skills that will help ID car I would appreciate it.

I was quite shaken by it and how 1sec slow may have saved my life. The pics are just screen grabs.

IMG_20220308_193700.jpg

Thanks

tnegun

That looks insanely close play it in VLC player and step through it frame by frame and you might be able to pick it out. You can take stills from VLC too. If you can get a partial try input it here https://private.carsireland.ie/add.php and it will give back make, model etc. to confirm if you got it right.

stevencn88

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118753315#Comment_118753315

WTF!?! The second pic is horrific. What a T**t. I hope you can get the footage "fixed". If you enhance the footage to get the reg number would that still be acceptable in a court of law??

Kaisr Sose

Thanks for the replies. I will try the frame by frame but I fear I need an editing package to sharpen image. You can sense check a reg via NCT too. If you have a make and model that could only be the reg in the footage it would hold up as there are not many cars of similar make, model, col and similar reg.

I will try and put the video up on a link as it's the still does not convey how scary and fast it was, and how far they went in one second after passing. What is the best way to do upload. I don't do YouTube.

Can a mod upload it for me? Maybe someone had movie editing software and skills. I will ask a graphic designer if they can improve /sharpen it. I want to report this driver as it was frightening. I am not a shrinking violet and well used to close passes.

In mid Feb I experienced an even closer deliberate close pass in the Scalp heading to Kilternan. The driver tried to pass with on coming traffic but aborted, waited for traffic to pass and then skimmed past me with an open road on the other lane. They barely crossed the centre line and almost hitmy bars, accelerating hard. (it was a fast car). I got clear reg on this. I am averaging 1 very close per day now, one Sunday I had two on the same stretch of road on opposite sides just a few days before this. Again the vehicles passed without changing their line / moving out. They stayed on inside of white line, leaving way less than the 1.5m required in an 80km zone. Less than 1m, maybe as little as 50cm.

Its such a pain having to go to Garda. They need to make it easier to report these.

Drivers don't give a damn now about speeding or close passes as they are not being caught. There are no speed checks on Enniskerry Road. Its manic at times, motorists passing close or on blind Bends, often for little gain as the motorist just gets up to the next cyclist, sometimes passing with oncoming cyclists too. I am so pissed off at this now and it's worse its getting.

Screenshot_20220308_235400_com.huawei.himovie.overseas.jpg

magicbastarder

What is the best way to do upload. I don't do YouTube. Can a mod upload it for me?

there's no video uploading direct to boards, images only AFAIK. you'd need to upload it to youtube or a similar site. how big is the file?

it may not be possible to sharpen the video to get the reg.

Wildly Boaring

Stick your video up on streamable and then post the link. We'll all be able to see the video anyway

But it won't improve the image, I assume it'll make it worse

https://streamable.com/

Ferris

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118754968#Comment_118754968

They're horrible passes, you should report them all, its a pain but its all we can do.

For what its worth I now experience far fewer close passes since changing my road position to take the lane. It forces drivers to complete a proper overtake and gives you somewhere to go if they do skim you. In saying that you aren't too far in in those pics.

magicbastarder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118755533#Comment_118755533

yes, i would think that if the reg is not discernible in the original video, that's it, game over.

Eamonnator

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118755533#Comment_118755533

It may complicate things, but as long as you have a complete chain of evidence, it should be okay.

Kaisr Sose

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118755543#Comment_118755543

Yes, I keep a prominent position on the road, well out. Its is essential. I will edge out more approaching a bend to narrow the choice for drivers who would otherwise pass inside the line. With a car coming up and with oncoming traffic I also edge out as much as possible, to deter the pass. That is what I did with the Porsche. I meet this vehicle a lot and rather than slow, they speed up to squeeze in ahead of oncoming. Sometimes the on coming vehicle has to slow or stop and the alway pull in before the pass is full completed ignoring the 1.5m. The, driver aborted on this day as I just left them no option to pass without crossing right over in path of oncoming vehicle. Then I got a punishment pass.

If the Garda do nothing with that then I don't know what they consider a close pass or in this case perhaps more serious charges. There are 1.5m advisory signs on this stretch of road.

These motorists are totally selfish and potentially lethal.

Kaisr Sose

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118755280#Comment_118755280

I will try streamable. Yes, it will be worse as the resolution gets blown in the compression.

Ferris

Fair play. Sounds like the porsche driver has an axe to grind, all the more reason to report. What is it with sh1te drivers and nice cars....

Ferris

Kaisr Sose

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118755533#Comment_118755533

I am not sure but could be the case. In this country anything that makes it harder to procecute seems to be used by AGS as a reason not to do anything.

If the enhancement is only to ID vehicle, and its clear that the number matches vehicle make, model and colour, then it should not matter. Its not altering a material fact. Some vehicles are displaying registrations to avoid recognition by camera so you should be able to use tech to thwart their owners endeavours.

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118755234#Comment_118755234

I think sharpening the video is a myth from all those cop shows. If the data isn't there, it isn't there. If you can get a partial reg, you might be able to narrow it down by using one of the car reg sites to check through all possible options, depending on how partial your partial is, and how patient you are.

There's also a good chance you'll see the same vehicle on the same route another day and you can get the reg then.

magicbastarder

i doubt that'd work either; a white focus isn't going to be an especially rare car. finding someone driving a white focus in the area does not in any way suggest it was the same driver.

Kaisr Sose

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118756267#Comment_118756267

I agree but if you have a partial reg it can remove a lot of similar make and models. If you have enough of it the car can be traced by AGS by entering make, model, col and up pops the list of matching cars. I have only hope to cling to. Some data is there

The nut case driving the car is worth spending some time to bring them to account. It was a crazy pass, driving right up to car ahead and then pulling out blind into my path at 100km plus. 2 second wait and its a safer overtake for me, albeit above speed limit, so still crazy driving heading into a 50km zone. Most cars on that road Mon to Fri are regular users so know this.

Kaisr Sose

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118756697#Comment_118756697

I will be asking. Stepaside Garda if they can get footage from filling stations in Enniskerry and in Kilternan - which the vehicle most likely passed. Perhaps even their ststion too. As I was not they may not put much effort into it. That's understandable with their limited resources. It depends on the Garda too.

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118756697#Comment_118756697

What can they do though to sharpen an image? The photo is the photo. If they do some kind of digital enhancement, this is basically guessing. Software is making decisions to change certain pixels on a best guess logic. So then you get into a long debate about the accuracy of the software. This isn't an issue if the sharpening algorithm makes your holiday snap look better. But in terms of identification evidence in a legal matter?

magicbastarder

AFAIK sharpening can be done if the blur is uniform and understood; and unlike what the movies would have you believe, the notion of sharpening to a finer resolution than the source image is fantasy. but with this, you may have lens blur, motion blur, and noise to deal with so it's going to be difficult.

Effects

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118755853#Comment_118755853

Upload the video using WeTransfer.com, then post the link here. That way it won't be degraded by a conversion when uploading to something like streamable.

You can sharpen and enhance to get a better reading, but as mentioned, it won't be like on TV, but I've done it before to pick a reg out at night from CCTV.

Kaisr Sose

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118757221#Comment_118757221

That is true but it is their job to gather evidence and they have no issue canvassing for dash cam or cctv when they need it. Its a two way street in my book.

Effects

There's no chance they will search out third party CCTV for something like this. They just aren't interested and will see it as a waste of their time.

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118758333#Comment_118758333

True. You could request CCTV yourself from those sites under GDPR, if the vehicle was close to you at the moment you passed.

Came across this on twitter, talk about a close one

https://twitter.com/duncanIDM/status/1501607743408558081?s=20&t=6Va8n7zqIPwfookctn-ryA

Effects

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118758420#Comment_118758420

I never remember how exactly that works. But doesn't anyone else's identifying info have to be blurred? Would a car reg come under that? I've seen people elsewhere say a car reg is personal info and shouldn't be posted online under GDPR rules.

I know when setting up CCTV where I work, part of the data rules meant if someone requested a copy of the footage, everyone else would have to be blurred out that was in the footage. Sounds like a right pain if you had to deal with it.

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118758988#Comment_118758988

They should blur other faces. I’ve never seen any ruling that suggests they should blur car registrations but I suppose it is possible. If you’re dealing with small organisations, if it’s probably worth a try anyway as you might well get something interesting.

tnegun

Not a cycling incident but I tried to report some awful driving near a school today to trafficwatch. 5 minute hold, then got through to someone on a terrible line, it took a couple of minutes to establish that I wasn't a garda(they kept asking for my long number I guess it's a garda ID) then they proceeded to take the details of the incident. I asked for the Pulse no and they said that would be up to the station to log it and create one. So I then asked which station so I could follow up. They weren't sure so I went through the process of figuring which station would be responsible with them when we figured it would be Dunboyne(More from my own knowledge than theirs) they said they would call them to log it now.

At that point I asked did they not submit it electronically and the response was no so I said I'd do it myself and they agreed that would probably be more straightforward! If it's any comfort, when I did get through the garda, tried to talk to out of reporting at least 3 times, then said he leave me to think about if I wanted to go through with it and call me tomorrow so this isn't just reserved for cyclists! Oh and to cap it off he wants me to travel to Ashbourne to give a statement, the incident happened just inside the Meath border outside Maynooth 30km from Ashbourne! This is exactly why I gave up reporting cycling incidents, the amount of time wasted and effort to do something that should be simple.

Kaisr Sose

I know the feeling!

How do they expect to be taken seriously when doing PR Slow Down days when they don't go after the same bad driving 365? Sometimes you get lucky so you could try a cold call to station or maybe reconsider logging it via Traffic Watch.

Kaisr Sose

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118759364#Comment_118759364

I know that, but that does not mean that is right. Yes, no blood on the road, but prevention is a large part of their role in policing, so if a dangerous driver is sanctioned, it may help buck the escalating road fatalities. Consider it as a follow up to the National Slow Down Days... Or investing in safer roads.

It won't happen, yet we still get the narrative that motorists should slow down and be aware of vulnerable road users.

Shotser

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118758333#Comment_118758333

They wouldn't get the CCTV from a Merc Dealership when my bike was stolen from right under the camera. They had 2 weeks to get it before it was recorded over. Got the run around everyday when I rang them to see if they had contact the Merc dealership. Was told only the Garda who took my original report could deal with me. I was told she was on nights when I rang during the day, was told she was on days when I rang at night, was even told she was in Africa at one point! They never went to get it and nothing happened. Eventually met a lad cycling it down Thomas St. about 2 year later.

Effects

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118761772#Comment_118761772

I presume you got it back so?

Ive contacted places for cctv myself before. A lot are happy to give it to you.

A mother with her 9yr old on the bike, close pass by a bus into oncoming traffic

https://twitter.com/FHmediastuff/status/1501636054583070724?s=20&t=OqVg2MbRud_lcuMPAYFkfw

Bus Eireann look to have acted quickly

Shotser

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118762413#Comment_118762413

Yeah the lad followed me to Kevin St. and asked for a refund off the Garda if he had to give it to them! It was all quite funny really. Took me a further 2 weeks to get it back from Kevin St. after I proved it was mine, the Garda with the keys went home early, he was out on a call etc etc.

The Merc dealership would only give the footage to An Garda

bazermc

Not cycling related but pedestrian related. Crossing road with younger daughter this am at Sandymount strand light just went green for cross walk. Big Volvo jeep plows through red light for him/her

I guess little Fionn and Fiachra must have been late for their Rugger match so it was ok for the driver to disregard other peoples life

Out on Friday in wet conditions. Had the middle of my side of the road as there were potholes full of water on the inside. Van came behind me and started beeping and flew past me on a corner without slowing down. He caught me off guard and I swerved, nearly hitting a pothole.

Threw the hands up in frustration (no middle fingers) at his stupidity and the guy actually stopped ahead of me for a 'chat'. I asked him why he was beeping at me and why he didn't wait the 10 seconds for clear road, explaining how dangerous what he had done was. Turns out he was being sound and contentious and that drivers are meant to beep at cyclists 'to let them know they are behind them'.

There was no talking to the guy and no explaining how dangerous what he had done was. Threatened to assault me and I just started laughing as he was about a foot shorter than me and he wasn't happy with that. I don't like generalising, but the majority of incidents like this I've had are with tradesmen in their vans. Usually youngish and very aggressive males.

A few weeks ago, I was going through a traffic calming chicane at 7am when a van went past me at about 80kph when there wasn't room for a cigarette paper between us. Frightened the life out of me.

Wildly Boaring

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118777211#Comment_118777211

Yep I yesterday and last week I met vans on narrow roads.

Both appeared to accelerate towards me and definitely didn't slow.

Neither gave me any space.

Young fellas.....

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118777211#Comment_118777211

Schrodinger's van driver - no time to wait for a safe place to pass - all the time in the world to stop to argue and threaten.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118777710#Comment_118777710

Threats delivered from inside a van are the best. He was about 5'3" in height with a belly as wide, surrounded by empty coffee cups and sandwich packages. I could only laugh at how pathetic he was threatening to "punch the head off me" for waving my hand at him after he had very nearly cleaned me off the bike. An angry little man.

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118778373#Comment_118778373

It’s also great fun when there is a company name on the van, and you can ask them if they are good ambassadors for the company.

DaveyDave

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118781426#Comment_118781426

Paste the link using this icon

magicbastarder

with youtube, paste the link and hit enter - if you paste the link and hit 'post comment' it won't try to embed the link, but hitting enter after should be enough.

Effects

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118778400#Comment_118778400

Straight to Google reviews. 🤣

https://twitter.com/sarsfieldsride/status/1503404421505560576?s=20&t=eoEpbTqA1tJvk-PgeguGFQ

found on twitter

km991148

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118784664#Comment_118784664

I know its a whole separate thread - but these separated lanes make me nervous for this reason. The separation seems to cause some people not to "see" the separated cycle traffic when checking if its safe to cross.

callaway92

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118787300#Comment_118787300

That's the onus being on drivers to adjust to enhanced cycle lanes etc that were never there before

It is scary at the start but drivers have to start getting used to them and using/checking them properly

km991148

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118787509#Comment_118787509

yeah I know, but that unfortunately means people cycling in them need to get used to drivers getting used to them..

but of course as always - use the road by expecting the unexpected anyway..