Close Call Database Anyone?
 

I found a thread about this on Bike Forums from 2016 thread, and I would like to revive interest because in my experience it has helped law enforcement address dangerous drivers. I was an avid CCDB (Close Call Database) user before it went on hiatus some years ago... and three times I had a measure of justice brought to aggressive drivers (in Boulder County, Colorado) because they had at least two complaints recorded by other cyclists. Law enforcement told me this helped them follow up with the aggressive drivers (two drivers rolling coal and both eventually moved out of my county, and one driving recklessly close to cyclists who also moved away after the sheriff visited them). In any case, CCDB was on hiatus but looks like it has returned, and I urge everyone to check it out, and participate if that feels right to you.

If you want people to check it out, you should probably supply a link.

https://closecalldatabase.com/

So what can I actually report that will do any good? I could not get a better idea of what data is being collected without creating an account. I did once report a city bus driver by bus number and was informed the on board video confirmed my complaint and the driver was disciplined. They could not tell me the specific discipline but gave the range of what it could be. Otherwise, I have no clue who has been involved in 99% of my close calls.

Does this clarify for you? From the website: “provide your local police and prosecutors with important information that should increase the likelihood that justice will be served if the driver ends up harming a cyclist. More importantly, serial offenders can be brought to the attention of your local police who may encourage them to change their behavior before a tragedy occurs.”

No. What important information? A blue Toyota close passed me?

The site gives you instructions on how to post and why it’s helpful.

Yes, but the site offers no information about how it actually works. That doesn’t seem like a good way to get people to participate.

You report an incident using the provided form.
You may also wish to report to law enforcement depending on the incident.
You review past license plate numbers and/or descriptions of past incidents with those similar to you own and if you see a pattern you may let law enforcement know.
Yes, they could make it more clear.

The issue isn’t that the information is unclear, it’s that the site offers practically no details at all.

I used CCD years ago, but it hasn't been updated, and it's giving me login troubles now. I think a better alternative would be Cycliq's site UpRide. The site is a lot easier to navigate, and Cycliq does a much better job at marketing it.

I have seen upride, actually less obvious to me how to use it although easy to view cycliq videos of near misses, etc. Perhaps I will learn to use it to help document and report aggressive drivers in my area...

Been hit by a car and a truck. Truck was a love tap, car took me down. Oh, and a motorcycle, in none of those instances was I ever going to remember a plate number.

I like the idea of this. Information is important.
It is why business wants to know everything you do. It is how things like FB make money. You give them information, they know the value.
If as cyclists we share near misses then perhaps a true picture can be built up, especially in your area. If the same person keeps coming up on reports, maybe that will give Police a way in to investigate someone, perhaps taking their licence away for driving with undue care and attention or for being emotionally unstable, i.e. unfit to drive.

The fact that the tool doesn't work for every instance doesn't mean that it doesn't work for some.

Whether or not you use a database like CCD or UpRide, one of the best things you can do to help police is to put the license plate number in the video title or description. It makes searching for prior offenses really convenient.