kwackers wrote:Headcam evidence is routinely ignored by the police......
Yep, due to lack of resources.
danhopgood wrote:Lack of enforcement is a problem. People taking the law into their own hands is not the solution to that problem - it'll make things worse - in my view.
kwackers wrote:That may well be true, but in the real world not only is nothing happening but it's actually getting worse. When folk are getting off scott free after killing others then something has to give.
The uncomfortable reality is that if every cyclist who had their safety compromised left a dent in the offenders vehicle then most folk would give us a wide berth and not only that but in an attempt to 'fix' the problem the authorities would be forced to take our concerns on board.
Yep again. When people are getting off scott free for killing someone it tells us something about society - that the majority (i.e. a jury) don't value vulnerable road users as they should. Surely the solution to that is to change the judicial process rather than abandon the law?
If as you suggest every cyclist who thought their safety was compromised left a £300 dent in the cars concerned, what would be the consequence when car drivers though they'd had their safety compromised? They'd take a £300 lump out of the bike of course. Or worse, the cyclist. And their justification would be "cos that's what cyclists do to us" - whether they're actually right or wrong. It's what they think that matters. No rational thought, taking into account all the circumstances.
kwackers wrote:The idea that taking the law into your own hands doesn't provide a solution isn't in itself proven and if nobody else is prepared to do it for you then why shouldn't you do it yourself???
There are plenty of cases where people have ended up in jail for taking the law into their own hands - people who beat up burglars for example. I'd say not getting a criminal record and potentially losing your job, family and friends is a pretty good reason.
Why if the law and enforcement are the problems aren't cyclists acting as one to help those trying to improve things? I see the fund for the private prosecution in the Michael Mason case has yet to reach its target.