Dangerous Driving @East Dulwich station - Any witnesses?

[easyman]

Monday 20 Jan 2014. This morning at around 8:27 I was starting to cross at the pedestrian crossing at East Dulwich station when a silver hatchback car came racing through the red light (around a bus that has stopped for the crossing), travelling from East Dulwich toward Dog Kennel Hill.

Luckily I looked to my left to see the car and stopped in time not be knocked down. Anyone crossing from the other side would likely have been killed. However, I did not get to see the reg as the car was moving so fast it was out of range before I could try to get a fix on it.

If anyone has any details on the reg/driver, or if there are any cameras that might be in operation covering the lights and crossing then please let me know. I would like the person responsible for this dangerous driving to understand the problem they have. Hopefully a fine and a chat from the police might make them more aware and cause them to think about the impact of their actions, and the injuries and loss of life that can occur from such a stupid maneuver.

I dread to think what would have happened if they had hit me or anyone else crossing from the other 'blind' side in front of the bus. Remember to always look both ways!

[newboots]

How terrible for you! I believe some buses have cameras in their cabs (that's certainly how I got my fine for straying in to a bus lane in Camberwell) - do you remember the bus number by any chance?

[easyman]

Must have been a 484 - will try to see if I can get anything from the bus company...

[GinaG3]

In the last week I too have seen people go straight through a red light on this crossing, albeit not around a bus! Very dangerous, especially when I'm crossing with a 4 year old...

[v_the_gelfling]

It's not just there, it's been happening a lot in general. I've shared many stories recently with friends over the past few weeks where people don't stop at lights, ignore pedestrian crossings. It really is quite sad that some people don't stop to think about the consequences.

[fl0wer]

One silver hatchback regularly tears up Underhill Rd. Someone's got a reason to hurry....

[Earl Aelfheah]

I occasionally cycle in to work and often see cars driving straight through red lights.

[tjf]

I was cycling back from Sainsbury's Dog Kennell Hill to Goose Green on Monday morning at this hour and witnessed the incident... I had stopped under the railway bridge for the red light, saw the silver car swerve onto my side of the road (towards the OP) and breeze straight through a good few seconds after the light had changed to red.

Sadly I didn't manage to take the car registration, but fairly certain it was VW Golf and there was a couple sat in the front seats; the bloke was the one doing the reckless driving.

Hopeful the 484 bus may have recorded all on CCTV. Alternatively are there any cameras at ED Station? Google Maps Streetview doesn't indicate that there are any though unfortunately.

[Nigello]

Buses often drive through red lights. When it happens and I am on one, I tell the driver, who look aghast that anyone should tell them off. Not sure what the remedy is. Best just to wait for the green man and then wait a bit more.

[easyman]

Thanks tjf - yes I was thinking of coming over to speak to you but was a bit shocked at what happened at the time - with hindsight that would have been best! I was unsure of the car make so it's great to get those details from you about the driver too. I am in touch with the bus company looking for footage so that really helps.

[easyman]

So the final update from me on this incident is that the police are not interested in following up on getting this information.

Basically, if this happens you should contact them on 999 or 101 immediately to report the incident so they can attempt to identify and track down the driver at the time. However, I was not aware that the police operate on a 'only follow-up crimes happening now' policy. I was told I could report the incident, but that really nothing would happen with regard obtaining footage because it's simply not a priority for them given police resources available etc. If I had a reg number they would be able to do something, but without it they won't look into it. The bus company won?t give me the details because of the data protection act - they will only give footage to the police. However, the police wont follow-up on the incident if I do report it, because they are too busy. Bottom line - ring 999 or the non-emergency number 101 at the time of the incident.

The world we live in folks - it does make you wonder...

[ukcomputers]

Unfortunately these days Police is not interested about much. My friend recently got knocked over from his motorcycle by driver who then runaway, even tough it happened in Central London with plenty of cameras around Police say the could not trace the driver. The motorcycle is total loss but luckily my friend is OK, just lost few grand as his insurance was TPFT,Police doesn't give a monkeys, it's easier to just close the case!

[tiddles]

I find this incredible. I too witnessed someone driving like a loon the other morning but also, was too late to get his number. A totally different car, but the common thread is that they were both near schools at a time when children are setting off. Surely a good telling off from a police officer is the very least that should be done? do they want to wait for them to kill someone before their hand is slapped. Funny how cameras can pick up parking offences but not much else.

[malcolmchurch]

Something very similar happened to me a little while ago - see post Re: Idiots ignoring lights at East Dulwich station.

[grace3]

They know where the cameras are and they know there is not one there.

[solstice]

I'm sure overtaking at a crossing is an offence. It was a 176 at the lights, they have cameras all over bus, the bus comes from West Norwood Garage, or get on to TFL.

[easyman]

The bus company will not release the footage to you or me because of data protection laws. They will release it to the police, but the police will not request the footage because they do not have the resources to follow up such incidents - unless there is a collision. Simply running the red light - although a crime, is not deemed 'important' enough to deploy resources to get the footage. Sad but true. That's what the police helpline basically told me. I could report the incident and the footage may have all the details needed to bring a charge, but it probably would not get followed-up - so no point.

Catch-22 favours the criminals in this instance.

[JohnL]

You should be able to ask the bus company to hold any footage

googled this - https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/request_cctv_footage_bus_19_to_f#outgoing-288582

easyman Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> The bus company will not release the footage to

> you or me because of data protection laws. They

> will release it to the police, but the police will

> not request the footage because they do not have

> the resources to follow up such incidents - unless

> there is a collision. Simply running the red light

> - although a crime, is not deemed 'important'

> enough to deploy resources to get the footage. Sad

> but true. That's what the police helpline

> basically told me. I could report the incident and

> the footage may have all the details needed to

> bring a charge, but it probably would not get

> followed-up - so no point.

>

> Catch-22 favours the criminals in this instance.