Hit & Run Just Outside London?

Mr.Pink

Hi All,

This morning I was riding on the A24 into london at like 6:30a.m. - so
very few cars. I was doing about 20 MPH. Then out of no where a car
decides to ride onto the A24 without yielding from an off street and
nails me in the back tire (clearly this car did not stop or yield at the junction,
or he would have have hit me) - both me and the bike go flying...

I begin to get off the pavement, the car then decides to GUN IT, and speed off.
I focus on his number plate and luckily because his car was a small compact with no real acceleration, I was able to get his number plate.
I rode the rest of the way - about 12 Miles - with a major wobblely rear tire and some major drag from my tire hitting my brake pads, but I made it.

GOOD SHOW to EVANS CYCLES - they fixed up my bike for FREE when I told them the story and gave me a full Mechanics analysis for the police which clearly showed I was hit by a vehicle from behind.

I went to a London Police state and filled in a detailed accident report and said I wanted to press charges..etc...

QUESTIONs:
1) because it was 6:20 A.M. - no witnesses were around? Does this mean I stand no chance against this scum bag driver??? Cars are allowed to hit podestrians or cyclists and if no one is around they are free and clear to leave?
2) One of the police officers told me the DVLA can provide me the registered owners details for small fee if I have a number plate?? Has anyone done this before gotten any joy? I am seriously considering trying to get this guy privately to give me a piece of my mind and maybe some FIST as well!...Anyone any thoughts ??
3) Anyone any hit and run experience they can share?

Thanks in advance for any help...
Mr. Pink

p.s. I commute daily to London from Surrey - typically I drive my bike on my car for about 15 miles and park it in ASDA, then cycle about 9 miles to work as the final 9 miles around London seems safer then outer london/surrey where drivers do not seem to have any clue about cyclists..

Batesy

• Driver has "failed to stop" which is an offence under the road traffic act and can lead to a fine, penalty points or even loss of licence. EVERYBODY involved in a RTC (road traffic collision) is required to stop and exchange details, and to ensure there are no injuries. Unless the driver drove away for his own safety, and immediately called the police, or has reported the accident within 24hrs of his occurence they should throw the book at him.

• The DVLA will NOT provide a member of the public with information regarding registered keepers of vehicles for the precise reason you stated (fists) I hope you have the name/collar number of the Police officer who told you this because he has fed you a crock of sh*t.

• Go back to the Police station and ask them if they have managed to trace the driver yet. If the desk bobby say's they are not going to then ask to speak to the duty Sergeant (or if it is a Sgt, duty inspector) and insist that they take action to trace the driver and PROSECUTE him for failing to stop/report. What happens if the next person he hits is a 14yr old kid on a paper round??

Best of luck with pursuing this (if you decide to) although cyclists don't seem to be treated fairly when it comes to accidents.

__________________
~Dave~______________
Gratia Dei, sum quod sum.

pistolpete

Hi Mr Pink,

I know this advice is late - but the accident form you filled in at the police station will take ages to process. So make sure you keep on at the police station to get it done ASAP.

Last year I was knocked of my bike in central London, the driver stopped and we exchanged details. I filled in the self reporting accident form (or whatever it is called) at Lambs Conduit Street/Theobalds Road Police Station - six months later (I kid you not) my witnesses were contacted for their statements.

Your case is far more serious than mine so hopefully the police will process your form quicker.

Let us know how you get on please.

complience

The DVLA provided my name and address to a private company, after they took a picture of my number plate, while I stopped for 15 second on there property.

They then sent me threatening letters that if I didn’t pay their “fine” of £80 they would send bailiffs around to collect it.

While the DVLA may not give the information out to an individual, they will certainly give it out to any company that asks.

I would very much doubt that they check who they giving the information out, so just ring up tell them you’re a company. And bobs your uncle.