Endangering the life of a person in a vehicle

[redsonic]

Quite amazing that Queensland Motorcycle Police, when swerved at by a car, can come up with a charge "Endangering the life of a person in a vehicle" but can't possibly enforce metre passing laws.


ABC News

He was charged with dangerous driving, endangering the life of a person in a vehicle and failing to stop, and was remanded in custody.

I am not belittling the offence, but have never heard of it, and I imagine that those of us who have been deliberately harassed, swerved at, or had objects thrown at us are wondering why the police didn't suggest this charge be brought.

[Thoglette]

I am not belittling the offence, but have never heard of it, and I imagine that those of us who have been deliberately harassed, swerved at, or had objects thrown at us are wondering why the police didn't suggest this charge be brought.

Simple: you're wearing the wrong shirt.

No smiley.

In WA the police believed that without actual contact they couldn't lay the equivalent charge, even with video evidence of collision avoidance by the cyclist (IIRC aushiker posted transcripts of his attempts to get charges laid). This was not, to my knowledge, supported by case law.

This refusal to use the existing laws was one of the main drivers for the meter passing laws.

Likewise much of this sort of behaviour is covered by existing assault laws: if you create a belief that you will cause an injury that's (prima face) assault. Again, to my knowledge, never laid for throwing bottles or swerving passes. (Stopping and waving a knife around in front of a camera does seem to do it)

[kenwstr]

This refusal to use the existing laws was one of the main drivers for the meter passing laws.

I fail to see how introducing a new law thay can also refuse to use can possibly remedy this.
Oh wait, it hasn't.

Ken

[Scintilla]

[human909]

Empathy. Until the public and the police develop empathy for people riding bicycles close passes will continue and lack of enforcement or road rules protecting cycling will remain.

Unfortunately in many places our society (the public and law enforcement) are at the opposite end of the spectrum. Dislike and hate.

[Jmuzz]

Of course police care a whole lot more when they are personally attacked.

Get unmarked bicycle police out on the roads and watch them quickly get worked up.

[Cyclophiliac]

Of course police care a whole lot more when they are personally attacked.

Get unmarked bicycle police out on the roads and watch them quickly get worked up.

Fat chance of that. Their OH&S people would never allow it (and no doubt the irony of that would be completely lost on them, too).

[g-boaf]

Of course police care a whole lot more when they are personally attacked.

Get unmarked bicycle police out on the roads and watch them quickly get worked up.

Driving behaviour too would change very fast.

As long as they are riding random bikes.

[fat and old]

Of course police care a whole lot more when they are personally attacked.

Get unmarked bicycle police out on the roads and watch them quickly get worked up.

Fat chance of that. Their OH&S people would never allow it (and no doubt the irony of that would be completely lost on them, too).

Yes they do. I've been collared on Bell St, Preston.

[human909]

Yes they do. I've been collared on Bell St, Preston.

Tell us more!

[Comedian]

I've had numerous clearly deliberate close passes, but QPS won't enforce because .. who knows.

Clearly they have two standards though..