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Cyclist Who Filmed Driver Using Phone Accused By Police Of Breaking The Law, Faces Trial
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Cyclist Who Filmed Driver Using Phone Accused By Police Of Breaking The Law, Faces Trial

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A 56-year-old cyclist tried to seize the day like a modern-day knight but found himself being accused of breaking the law instead.

Dave Clifton, who was cycling through Belgravia in London, tried to be a responsible citizen when he spotted a commuter in a Range Rover using his mobile phone while driving.

The cyclist from South West London decided to film the moment with his helmet camera and hand over the video clip to the police. However, after he submitted the footage to the police, Dave found himself being accused of riding his bicycle on the wrong side of the road.

Dave “could pose a danger to other road users,” the police said and charged him with riding a bicycle on the road without due care and attention, according to the Standard.

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    Dave Clifton is expected to face trial next month for allegedly breaking the law

    Image credits: RDNE Stock project / Pexels

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    Dave is expected to face trial next month at the Lavender Hill magistrates court. Meanwhile, the driver of the Range Rover is not facing any criminal charges but did receive an “advisory letter” from the police.

    Calling the case against him “petty,” Dave told the outlet: “It is ludicrous. I don’t know if it is malicious or incompetence.”

    The cyclist said his own footage was the only evidence against him and insisted that he was riding his bicycle on the right side of the road.

    It was around 1:30 p.m. on the fateful afternoon in August last year when Dave saw the Range Rover driving in the opposite direction, prompting the 56-year-old to turn around and film the driver with his phone.

    The driver of the Range Rover received an “advisory letter” from the police but faced no criminal charges

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    Image credits: Tim Samuel / Pexels

    While Dave maintained that he was riding the bicycle in the right direction, the police said that he was riding very close to the Range Rover and then towards an oncoming motorbike.

    The cyclist was “in the middle of the road” and was then seen “very close to the Range Rover on the opposite side of the road whilst a motorcyclist is oncoming with a passenger,” Natasha Springford, a Met police staff member in the traffic division, was quoted saying.

    “You can see the cyclist cycling towards the oncoming motorbike that is filtering between traffic,” she said and noted that the motorbike had to “ride in between the cyclist that is very close and the Range Rover.”

    “This seems to be malicious,” the cyclist said about the allegations against him

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    Image credits: Blue Bird / Pexels

    According to Dave’s account, the road does not have any markings, and he said the police appear to be “malicious.”

    “The ‘other side of the road’ doesn’t begin wherever my accuser wants it to begin. This is a ludicrous allegation,” he said.

    “The police have ignored the filtering motorcyclist and the driver using a mobile phone and have chosen to prosecute me,” Dave added. “This seems to be malicious.”

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    Binitha Jacob

    Binitha Jacob

    Author, BoredPanda staff

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    Working as a writer for Bored Panda offers an added layer of excitement. By afternoon, I'm fully immersed in the whirlwind of celebrity drama, and by evening, I'm navigating through the bustling universe of likes, shares, and clicks. This role not only allows me to delve into the fascinating world of pop culture but also lets me do what I love: weave words together and tell other people's captivating stories to the world

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    Binitha Jacob

    Binitha Jacob

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Working as a writer for Bored Panda offers an added layer of excitement. By afternoon, I'm fully immersed in the whirlwind of celebrity drama, and by evening, I'm navigating through the bustling universe of likes, shares, and clicks. This role not only allows me to delve into the fascinating world of pop culture but also lets me do what I love: weave words together and tell other people's captivating stories to the world

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    jameskramer avatar
    James016
    Community Member
    4 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Depends what side of the central line the cyclist was on assuming there was one on the road in question. Back in 2020 I had to do a speed awareness course; the alternative to points on my licence. The instructor told us a story about a motorist who submitted their dashcam footage to the police about a car driving in the middle lane of a motorway (the UK has some traffic laws about driving in the middle lane if not overtaking). So while they sent a fine to the driver in the video, they also fined the driver who submitted the footage as they were also driving in the middle lane.

    charlesmcchristy avatar
    Charles McChristy
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So, you were recklessly filming this person whilst riding a bike, where you are expected to obey all the rules of the road, and you're surprised you are getting charged? LMAO, didn't your mommy ever tell you two wrongs don't make a right?

    sharonlafantastica avatar
    Weasel Wise
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To all self righteous turdpeople: mind your own business unless someone is getting hurt.

    blue1steven avatar
    jameskramer avatar
    James016
    Community Member
    4 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Depends what side of the central line the cyclist was on assuming there was one on the road in question. Back in 2020 I had to do a speed awareness course; the alternative to points on my licence. The instructor told us a story about a motorist who submitted their dashcam footage to the police about a car driving in the middle lane of a motorway (the UK has some traffic laws about driving in the middle lane if not overtaking). So while they sent a fine to the driver in the video, they also fined the driver who submitted the footage as they were also driving in the middle lane.

    charlesmcchristy avatar
    Charles McChristy
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So, you were recklessly filming this person whilst riding a bike, where you are expected to obey all the rules of the road, and you're surprised you are getting charged? LMAO, didn't your mommy ever tell you two wrongs don't make a right?

    sharonlafantastica avatar
    Weasel Wise
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To all self righteous turdpeople: mind your own business unless someone is getting hurt.

    blue1steven avatar
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