What do you think about creating a database that contained license number, state, car type, color, make, details of the near miss (or hit) and perhaps other information of the cars (and owners) that are creating problems for bicyclists.
I would envision an online entry form where you can enter information about the event. Possibly an additional form so that the person being reported on could respond (unlikely!).
It would be available online for anyone to search by state, license number, car type/color, etc. to determine if a person (car) has a history of trying to run down or harrass a bicycle rider. Over a period of time, as the amount of data increases, I can see that it could be useful for law enforcement and/or court actions against some idiot that is a repeat offender.
If it is being done, can someone post a url to the site. If it is not being done - do you think the idea has any merit? What kind of information would you think should be kept on the offending motorist? Other suggestions?
Guest
07-10-05, 03:06 PM
I've thought about it. I often take license plates of cars that try to run me off the road or do crazy stuff. It's usually disorganized, but if there was a database, I'd definitely enter the info. It's just a matter of time before some of these road ragers actually hit a cyclist.
Koffee
mpop
07-10-05, 03:32 PM
I can add the following plate: PA FVW-1960 this guy got pissed because I was going to slow for him, but I was going 10mph over the speed limit (I was going 35mph and the posted limit was 25mph) When he finally passed me after laying on the horn for a long time it seamed like he was going 2x the speed I was going.
-=Łem in Pa=-
07-10-05, 04:15 PM
I can add the following plate: PA FVW-1960 this guy got pissed because I was going to slow for him, but I was going 10mph over the speed limit (I was going 35mph and the posted limit was 25mph) When he finally passed me after laying on the horn for a long time it seamed like he was going 2x the speed I was going.
The 10 seconds you slowed him down for were 10 seconds longer
he had to wait for his pizza and 12-pak. No wonder he was pissed.
khuon
07-10-05, 04:28 PM
What do you think about creating a database that contained license number, state, car type, color, make, details of the near miss (or hit) and perhaps other information of the cars (and owners) that are creating problems for bicyclists.
Bad idea. A license plate does not properly identify the real problem: the driver. In fact, in some states, the license plate follows the car so if a car is sold, the license plate goes with it.
lookinUp
07-10-05, 05:10 PM
Bad idea. A license plate does not properly identify the real problem: the driver. In fact, in some states, the license plate follows the car so if a car is sold, the license plate goes with it.
Ahhh... hadn't thought of that. You're right!
Guest
07-10-05, 05:28 PM
Yeah, but I would think the majority of license plates are assigned to the correct person. Even if it isn't, it would be easy to track the offender.
Koffee
khuon
07-10-05, 05:43 PM
Yeah, but I would think the majority of license plates are assigned to the correct person. Even if it isn't, it would be easy to track the offender.
A license plate does not identify a person. It identifies a vehicle.
Guest
07-10-05, 05:44 PM
That's cool. It's a starting point, and it's better than nothing at all.
Koffee
khuon
07-10-05, 05:50 PM
Taken to the extreme, the more accurate way to do this would be to require that all vehicles use biometric logins in order to be operated. This biometric data would be logged and available for analysis. This data would periodically be sent to a central database that would then keep track of who operates what vehicle and by crossreferencing with vehicle locations transmitted through the use of assisted-GPS information, the activities of the drivers could be tracked. When a cyclist reports an encounter with a hostile driver, this information could be easily looked up. Sounds like a wonderful world. No?
fallstorm
07-10-05, 07:12 PM
I've thought about doing this many times where I live. I don't have the capabilties to do it yet (don't have web space or the smarts to build a database app), but I imagine I could get both of those fairly easily. Here in Washington, plates are assigned to vehicles instead of people. While it would still be impossible to identify the driver without a picture, a plate number is a start... especially if it's possible to get the state to give up the owner's info. If I'm able to implement such a system, I'm going to include an interface to upload camera phone pictures.
Dchiefransom
07-10-05, 07:21 PM
Taken to the extreme, the more accurate way to do this would be to require that all vehicles use biometric logins in order to be operated. This biometric data would be logged and available for analysis. This data would periodically be sent to a central database that would then keep track of who operates what vehicle and by crossreferencing with vehicle locations transmitted through the use of assisted-GPS information, the activities of the drivers could be tracked. When a cyclist reports an encounter with a hostile driver, this information could be easily looked up. Sounds like a wonderful world. No?
That could apply to bicycles also. Bringing up technology like that could backfire on cyclists. It might jsut be better to make a mandatory 30 day jail sentence for driving without a license, then make the test 100 questions, with only missing 10 being the cutoff.
khuon
07-10-05, 07:32 PM
That could apply to bicycles also. Bringing up technology like that could backfire on cyclists.
Exactly. ;)
Randymac
07-10-05, 07:43 PM
Hey that's a great idea. Then we can have an ID number tattooed on their arm and send them to work in special places or camps. OH! wait. thats been done hasn't it!!! Darn, it was such a good idea
khuon
07-10-05, 07:45 PM
Hey that's a great idea. Then we can have an ID number tattooed on their arm and send them to work in special places or camps. OH! wait. thats been done hasn't it!!! Darn, it was such a good idea
You need to think more high-tech! Implanted RFID is the answer. ;)
lookinUp
07-10-05, 07:56 PM
Taken to the extreme, the more accurate way to do this would be to require that all vehicles use biometric logins in order to be operated. This biometric data would be logged and available for analysis. This data would periodically be sent to a central database that would then keep track of who operates what vehicle and by crossreferencing with vehicle locations transmitted through the use of assisted-GPS information, the activities of the drivers could be tracked. When a cyclist reports an encounter with a hostile driver, this information could be easily looked up. Sounds like a wonderful world. No?
Or... perhaps we could implant RFID chips in everyone, every car - and every bike could carry a minature RFID scanner!! <g>
lookinUp
07-10-05, 08:00 PM
I've thought about doing this many times where I live. I don't have the capabilties to do it yet (don't have web space or the smarts to build a database app), but I imagine I could get both of those fairly easily. Here in Washington, plates are assigned to vehicles instead of people. While it would still be impossible to identify the driver without a picture, a plate number is a start... especially if it's possible to get the state to give up the owner's info. If I'm able to implement such a system, I'm going to include an interface to upload camera phone pictures.
Getting it done is no problem, I develop data-based websites and would be willing to create and host it. From the posts to this thread so far, it looks like more people think it's not a great idea. I know... 'Big Brother is watching' and all that, but isn't it time to make these drivers more accountable?
khuon
07-10-05, 08:10 PM
A license plate can be used to cite an offender but it must be done short-term and the persistance of the information is suspect as time goes on due to vehicles changing hands even disregarding sales... think rental cars, spouse/family members borrowing the vehicle, etc...
That said, I posted this a while back...
I had an idea a few days ago for the Ultimate Traffic Raffle. Here are the details:
All participants are allowed to submit a photograph or video footage of someone doing something stupid to their local police or highway patrol department. Participants must be able to capture some sort of indentification of the offending vehicle. This of course works great against cars since they have a license plate.
At the end of some time period (weekly, monthly or daily... I like daily), a drawing will occur from those submissions.
The winner of the drawing gets a dinner or lunch courtesy of the offender along with a signed apology. The law enforcement department may add additional fines for which they will receive direct payment.
I think that combined with my idea for an integrated helmet-cam (http://journals.neebu.net/khuon/archives/000202.html), this could bring about some pretty good results... or at the very least some very well fed cyclists. :)
JamesV
07-10-05, 09:00 PM
Getting it done is no problem, I develop data-based websites and would be willing to create and host it. From the posts to this thread so far, it looks like more people think it's not a great idea.
This Fred chips in two cents for the database. I think it's a great idea. However, I'd like to suggest a slight change of focus. Instead of attempting to identify who is harassing cyclists, why not focus on the where. In addition to reporting motorist harassment incidents, encourge the reporting of all injury and fatality incidents -- again, focusing on the where.
As the data is collected, patterns will emerge. Intersections with high rates of cycling accidents, roads that need shoulders, neighborhoods with high rates of reported harassment of cyclists by motorists. These high frequency locations can be reported to the responsible jurisdictions. I would imagine that if a town has the most dangerous cycling intersection or road in the nation, they would work to fix it to remove that stigma.
twahl
07-10-05, 09:11 PM
Exactly what are you going to do with such a database? Are we going to start riding our bikes, looking out for a blue Dodge Neon with Va. license plate YBR-2894? Of use to law enforcement? Heresay. 14 rabid cyclists put in unverifyable information when "one of our own" is offended by a close call, and the cops give the guy a ticket for being an ass-clown? Or are we supposed to make sure we get "photographic evidence" of each infraction so that we can prove it's valid? You want to try that when you've been run off the road? Or did you get "run off the road" because you were fiddling around with your camera, just in case you have someone pass by too close?
Why not just ride your bike, watch your back, and enjoy yourself? If I were worried about getting information to report, I'm sure I'd have a lot more run-ins with motorists because I'd be concentrating more on that than on riding my bike safely. Get real.
khuon
07-10-05, 09:14 PM
Exactly what are you going to do with such a database? Are we going to start riding our bikes, looking out for a blue Dodge Neon with Va. license plate YBR-2894?
You mean you don't ride around with a roladex chock full of known offending license plate numbers? How do you ever feel safe?!?! :D
twahl
07-10-05, 09:15 PM
You mean you don't ride around with a roladex chock full of known offending license plate numbers? How do you ever feel safe?!?! :D
No, I find my helmet mirror to be much faster and more reliable. :o
dynaryder
07-10-05, 10:23 PM
Geez folks,calm down. Databases != Big Brother
I think a database with a general discription would be a good idea. A page could be set up sorted by city to give cyclists a heads-up. Like if your local area has a dozen reports on a white BMW with a certain vanity plate,and you saw it on the road,you'd know to give it some extra room. Not anything govt run,just an enthusiest site.
bg4533
07-10-05, 10:31 PM
A license plate does not identify a person. It identifies a vehicle.
Ohio (more specifically Toledo) doesn't seem to care about the difference. Red light cameras are being put up all over the place. The cameras take a picture of the license plate and the owner of the vehicle is sent a ticket.
twahl
07-10-05, 10:37 PM
Ohio (more specifically Toledo) doesn't seem to care about the difference. Red light cameras are being put up all over the place. The cameras take a picture of the license plate and the owner of the vehicle is sent a ticket.
Dunno about Toledo, but around here the photo-tickets are just a fine, with no points on your license. I personally think it's a fair way to handle it, if you've lent your car out you know who to see for the $50. I'm not sure I like the idea of being policed by a camera, but it seems to have had positive effects around here.
khuon
07-10-05, 10:45 PM
I think a database with a general discription would be a good idea. A page could be set up sorted by city to give cyclists a heads-up. Like if your local area has a dozen reports on a white BMW with a certain vanity plate,and you saw it on the road,you'd know to give it some extra room. Not anything govt run,just an enthusiest site.
Gee... it's too bad the townsfolk of old Salem, MA didn't have access to such technology. ;)
dynaryder
07-10-05, 10:54 PM
Gee... it's too bad the townsfolk of old Salem, MA didn't have access to such technology. ;)
:rolleyes:
lookinUp
07-11-05, 04:52 AM
Geez folks,calm down. Databases != Big Brother
I think a database with a general discription would be a good idea. A page could be set up sorted by city to give cyclists a heads-up. Like if your local area has a dozen reports on a white BMW with a certain vanity plate,and you saw it on the road,you'd know to give it some extra room. Not anything govt run,just an enthusiest site.
Thank you! That's what I had in mind. it would just be run by a little old lady with some extra time on her hands. I didn't mean to generate such paranoia!
H23
07-11-05, 06:15 AM
I don't know if any of you have tried, but it is very hard to reliably get a tag number and car description. Combined with the frightful unfolding of events in an accident or a road rage incident, getting useful information is even more unlikely.
khuon
07-11-05, 10:47 AM
I don't know if any of you have tried, but it is very hard to reliably get a tag number and car description. Combined with the frightful unfolding of events in an accident or a road rage incident, getting useful information is even more unlikely.
Yep. In most types of situations, the information can often be unreliable and suspect. This is why the police will spend a lot of time interviewing witnesses, collaborating stories, etc... Sometimes, grey becomes blue, fives become twos, As become Hs and so on. Who is going to screen the data for accuracy and verifiable content? To then have a database that is supposed to be considered canon populated by less than reliable information will at best produce misleading information. As a database designer, one should understand the concept of garbage-in/garbage-out.
sbhikes
07-11-05, 11:01 AM
One Nation, Under Surveillance...
I-Like-To-Bike
07-11-05, 11:54 AM
To then have a database that is supposed to be considered canon populated by less than reliable information will at best produce misleading information. As a database designer, one should understand the concept of garbage-in/garbage-out.
Better yet, who vouches for the reliability or credibility (or even sanity) of any of the eager beaver snitches?
I can just picture it now, an Alpha Dog (or perhaps a hysterical) Cyclist reports to his/her pals on the Internet that someone in an SUV passed and was going "too fast"; within the day the database is flooded with "complaints" about this evil doer from around the country.
What's next, bicycle licenses so that do-gooders (motorized and cycling snobs) can snitch on "incompetent" cyclists?