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Archived Topic

Topic ID 2058

03/10/2006 by CSP

Numbering and shaming

If anybody knows the person who drives the black BMW X5, registration number EX05FAM, would they please point out to them that some folk think it's dangerous, illegal, anti-social, dangerous and dangerous to drive through Hertford whilst writing on one's Blackberry. Unfortunately the ultimate karma didn't quite happen when the driver of the yellow van behind (who was texting at the time) just failed to drive into the back of the BMW.


0 replies

Archived Replies

Reply ID 27328

03/10/2006 by Berbatov

What did the police say when you called them?


Reply ID 27329

03/10/2006 by JohnSmith

They probably said they don't have time to investigate such an offence as there is little likelihood of a conviction and gave CSP a leaflet on how to deal with being a victim of crime.


Reply ID 27330

03/10/2006 by Berbatov

What was the offence?


Reply ID 27331

03/10/2006 by Capitalist piglet

I suspect that they are currently hurtling up the hill to arrest CSP on potentially breaking the Chav's (- just guessing) individual Human Rights. Item 23 as I recall refers to the right to drive a BMW X5 & communicate with girlfriend on the Blackberry at the same time... & Blimey, earlier I was talking about becoming even more left wing in my later years .. Off to the Tory Party Conference to join up pronto..


Reply ID 27332

03/10/2006 by Berbatov

I thought so.


Reply ID 27335

03/10/2006 by Ewoowar

I was overtaken on the A414 recently by the driver of a Mercedes 4x4 while she was using both hands to control her mobile.


Reply ID 27336

03/10/2006 by Steve

quote:
Originally posted by Berbatov
What was the offence?
Driving without due care and attention, I would imagine.


Reply ID 27338

03/10/2006 by JohnSmith

What did you think Berbatov?


Reply ID 27342

03/10/2006 by Berbatov

I didn't want to ask why someone would want to (or could) write on a piece of fruit. Sorry.


Reply ID 27344

04/10/2006 by OldCross

quote:
Originally posted by Ewoowar
I was overtaken on the A414 recently by the driver of 'AGE 15' while she was using both hands to control her mobile.
Maybe it was her mental age?


Reply ID 27346

04/10/2006 by Hato

quote:
Originally posted by Ewoowar
I was overtaken on the A414 recently by the driver of 'AGE 15' while she was using both hands to control her mobile.
I had a similar experience with said driver up Gascoyne Way. I must give her credit for focusing 5% on her driving & 95% on her phone call..............It's only a matter of time before her luck runs out though


Reply ID 27349

04/10/2006 by Rachel

When a driver sped through a red light on the A414 Hertingfordbury Road roundabout near the Esso garage, narrowly missing my son who was on the pelican crossing at the time, I took the registration number and rang the police. They said they could do nothing about it unless another independent witness contacted them. Much as I would have welcomed somewhere like this to 'number and shame' that car at the time, I'm not sure (maybe Admin can confirm?[?]) whether it's a breach of data protection legislation to publish allegations like this on a website, identifying the make and registration details of the car concerned. And, OK, I'm a little bit scared that it's only a matter of time before my car features here! [:)] I'm not an aggressive driver but I have a distinctive car and I'm one of the few people who will admit my driving skills are not great; I certainly couldn't pass a driving test nowadays and I can't park for toffee! So, before I start posting here the registration numbers of local examples of bad driving, can someone please confirm that we can't be sued for defamation?


Reply ID 27355

04/10/2006 by Ewoowar

quote:
Originally posted by Rachel
When a driver sped through a red light on the A414 Hertingfordbury Road roundabout near the Esso garage, narrowly missing my son who was on the pelican crossing at the time, I took the registration number and rang the police. They said they could do nothing about it unless another independent witness contacted them. Much as I would have welcomed somewhere like this to 'number and shame' that car at the time, I'm not sure (maybe Admin can confirm?[?]) whether it's a breach of data protection legislation to publish allegations like this on a website, identifying the make and registration details of the car concerned. And, OK, I'm a little bit scared that it's only a matter of time before my car features here! [:)] I'm not an aggressive driver but I have a distinctive car and I'm one of the few people who will admit my driving skills are not great; I certainly couldn't pass a driving test nowadays and I can't park for toffee! So, before I start posting here the registration numbers of local examples of bad driving, can someone please confirm that we can't be sued for defamation?
Good point.


Reply ID 27357

04/10/2006 by exiled_in_Reading

quote:
Originally posted by Rachel
When a driver sped through a red light on the A414 Hertingfordbury Road roundabout near the Esso garage, narrowly missing my son who was on the pelican crossing at the time, I took the registration number and rang the police. They said they could do nothing about it unless another independent witness contacted them. Much as I would have welcomed somewhere like this to 'number and shame' that car at the time, I'm not sure (maybe Admin can confirm?[?]) whether it's a breach of data protection legislation to publish allegations like this on a website, identifying the make and registration details of the car concerned. And, OK, I'm a little bit scared that it's only a matter of time before my car features here! [:)] I'm not an aggressive driver but I have a distinctive car and I'm one of the few people who will admit my driving skills are not great; I certainly couldn't pass a driving test nowadays and I can't park for toffee! So, before I start posting here the registration numbers of local examples of bad driving, can someone please confirm that we can't be sued for defamation?
No, you can't. However, if you identify an individual or individuals connected with a vehicle (such as by name or by business) or they can be identified from the information you publish here, then there could be the basis of a claim against you. Do not make claims or accusations that you cannot prove, the burden of proof lies with the author / publisher and not the complainant. If a person is identifiable from the information you publish here, then it could land you with an expensive lawsuit and there is no legal aid for such cases... Keep it vague...


Reply ID 27360

04/10/2006 by Herbert Lemons

Resorting to the law is probably correct but it lacks most of the raw satisfaction of pouring brake fluid over the offenders bonnet (car front - not hat). Believe me, you can't polish it out.


Reply ID 27364

04/10/2006 by shunt

In our house this is a male/female thing. A typical phone call from my partner might be:- Her:- "Hi I'm on the A1". Me:-"Have you got your hands free on?" Her:- "I still can't make it work". Me:-"Bye. Call me when you're stationary". No amount of patient demonstration of bluetooth operation seems to have an effect. Now a guy would bother to learn, because it allows him to stare with absolute fascination at a little blue flashing LED for an hour, test the range by walking away from his phone with the earpiece on, look in the mirror and state, "We are Borg. Resistance is futile", lock himself in a cupboard to test transmission through chipboard, put foil over his head in an attempt to make himself into an human aerial.....


Reply ID 27367

04/10/2006 by Avery

Or not bother at all... I have seen a few men talking on the phone while driving, it's not just women.


Reply ID 27369

04/10/2006 by shunt

quote:
Originally posted by Avery
Or not bother at all... I have seen a few men talking on the phone while driving, it's not just women.
"In our house........."[:)]


Reply ID 27370

04/10/2006 by JohnSmith

"We are Borg. Resistance is futile" Superb! What if I were a passenger in a car and videoed (does such a word exist) someone talking on their phone whilst driving (in another car, obviously) and posted it on YouTube? Would that breach the data protection act?


Reply ID 27371

04/10/2006 by exiled_in_Reading

quote:
Originally posted by JohnSmith
"We are Borg. Resistance is futile" Superb! What if I were a passenger in a car and videoed (does such a word exist) someone talking on their phone whilst driving (in another car, obviously) and posted it on YouTube? Would that breach the data protection act?
No


Reply ID 27382

04/10/2006 by Steve

quote:
Originally posted by JohnSmith
What if I were a passenger in a car and videoed (does such a word exist) someone talking on their phone whilst driving (in another car, obviously) and posted it on YouTube? Would that breach the data protection act?
No, because you're not identifying the individual.


Reply ID 27391

04/10/2006 by Andrew

A bit off topic, but the term Data Protection seems to pop up a lot nowadays, such as on this thread. The DPA relates to the regulation of the holding by organisations of personally identifiable information. It has nothing to do with the interactions between private citizens. However, as has been pointed out naming and shaming may breach other laws should the information provided be incorrect or defamatory.


Reply ID 27394

04/10/2006 by Herbert Lemons

Am I really the only one who is going to posit direct property mangling action as an equalising measure? An eye for an eye. A tooth for a 4 week long wait at an NHS dentist


Reply ID 27409

04/10/2006 by Mr P

quote:
Originally posted by Herbert Lemons
Am I really the only one who is going to posit direct property mangling action as an equalising measure? An eye for an eye. A tooth for a 4 week long wait at an NHS dentist
All right, all right, I confess! I have fantasies about digging the sledgehammer out of the shed, going round to the neighbours at 1.30am, smashing down their doors before doing the same to their stereo and music collection. Shame I can't do the same to their vocal cords... I also fantsise that my boss has come a rather permanent cropper. And I'm not talking about an apple tree. Anger issues? Moi?


Reply ID 27411

04/10/2006 by Herbert Lemons

At this rate (& with a bit of contributory enthusiasm) I'm sure we could get Channel 5 interested in making a telly program out of this thread.


Reply ID 27414

04/10/2006 by 60sDJ

quote:
Originally posted by Herbert Lemons
At this rate (& with a bit of contributory enthusiasm) I'm sure we could get Channel 5 interested in making a telly program out of this thread.
Doubt it, it would completely disappear before they could make a few calls on their mobiles, whilst driving of course, to round up the film crew....[:D]


Reply ID 27421

04/10/2006 by Marilyn

Not in Hertford I know on the M25 ( I was on a coach) but passed a motorway recovery vehilcle the other day whose driver was on his mobile phone, you would think he would have more sense having to pick up the pieces..............


Reply ID 36943

08/03/2007 by steven

quote:
Originally posted by Ewoowar
I was overtaken on the A414 recently by the driver of a Mercedes 4x4 while she was using both hands to control her mobile.
I just realised yesterday I see the same silver Merc ML every day, and yep, she dodders around not really knowing what to do ..


28 replies