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Vigilante shames bad drivers on internet
A MYSTERY vigilante has taken a stand against bad drivers by posting their photographs on the internet.
The shadowy figure, who would only give the pseudonym "Road Camera", has taken the extreme measure of installing recording equipment in his car to record bad drivers in Marlow and Cookham.
This can take down up to six hours of sound and video footage.
Marlow's own dark knight uploads pictures, along with number plates, to the website Better Driving Please, which makes public examples of bad drivers.
The man, from Cookham Dean, wished to remain anonymous and did not want to speak to the Marlow Free Press in person or by phone but was willing to reply to our emails.
According to Road Camera, he was driven to take action out of sheer frustration after having his property damaged: "In the past I have had many vehicles parked on the road damaged by dangerous drivers and although each incident was reported, nothing has been done by the authorities.
"I have also witnessed over the years many incidents of dangerous driving, and although reported many times, felt little has been done to discourage or even educate dangerous drivers.
"It's not such a case of tracking 'bad' driving - everybody makes mistakes from time to time. But it's the consistently bad or dangerous drivers that concern me most - those using mobile phones, breaking the speed limit, forcefully cutting people up or jumping red traffic lights."
Councillor Suzanne Brown from Marlow Town Council commended the mystery man's actions: "I think it's a good idea because unless you have evidence you can't prosecute people.
"Lots of people get away speeding like a bat out of hell. You don't have proof because the car's going too fast.
"He might not be very popular with some of the people he checks but they shouldn't be doing it. If you use a mobile phone while you're driving you deserve to be caught."
Images of drivers caught on Road Camera's video tape have been downloaded on to the website Better Driving Please.
However unpopular his actions may have made him he has vowed to continue: "I have heard some web forums refer to me as a vigilante and pass comments like 'haven't I got anything better to do?'
"But my argument is that we are doing no more or no less than what a neighbourhood watch would do.
"If you saw somebody breaking into your neighbour's house, would you let them get on with it or would you try and report them to the authorities?
"If you saw someone swerving down the road using a mobile phone, missing a cyclist by about six inches, would you let them get away with it or report them in case they do it again, and end up injuring or even killing someone?"
8:56am Friday 15th August 2008
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CommentPosted by: Reads2much, London on 9:09am Fri 15 Aug 08
Whats the website called ?? got to be worth a look
Whats the website called ?? got to be worth a look
Posted by: paulc, Amersham on 9:22am Fri 15 Aug 08
[quote][bold]Reads2much[/bold] wrote:
Whats the website called ?? got to be worth a look [/quote] There's a link at the bottom of the article, Reads2little ;)
Reads2much wrote:
Whats the website called ?? got to be worth a look
There's a link at the bottom of the article, Reads2little ;)
Posted by: moominmama, Here on 9:36am Fri 15 Aug 08
Brilliant![bold]bold[/bold]
Posted by: Reads2much, London on 9:41am Fri 15 Aug 08
:-) very clever .... well it is early the eyes are still opening !!!!
:-) very clever .... well it is early the eyes are still opening !!!!
Posted by: Reads2much, London on 9:46am Fri 15 Aug 08
oh my god I just took a look what a bunch of saddos.... reporting number plates that dont have the right spacing between them or the numbers are italic...please !!!
oh my god I just took a look what a bunch of saddos.... reporting number plates that dont have the right spacing between them or the numbers are italic...please !!!
Posted by: ajb100, Wycombe on 9:53am Fri 15 Aug 08
none of the cars i drive are on there :(
none of the cars i drive are on there :(
Posted by: me, Marlow on 10:10am Fri 15 Aug 08
Your car is too stealthy!LOL!!!
Your car is too stealthy!LOL!!!
Posted by: motco, Beaconsfield on 10:20am Fri 15 Aug 08
Can you hear the libel lawyers sharpening their knives? No-one is totally anonymous on the 'net if the monetary gains are great enough.
Can you hear the libel lawyers sharpening their knives? No-one is totally anonymous on the 'net if the monetary gains are great enough.
Posted by: erm, ermsville on 11:07am Fri 15 Aug 08
I always worry about vigilante actions, after all you always need someone to police the police and as there is no way of removing details from that website then it is open to abuse and revenge.
I always worry about vigilante actions, after all you always need someone to police the police and as there is no way of removing details from that website then it is open to abuse and revenge.
Posted by: BT1, Somewhere secret on 11:14am Fri 15 Aug 08
Sooo.. if I have a grudge against a neighbour, I can just enter their reg and make up a [bold]wholey false[/bold] [italic]'bad driving report'[/italic] about them.
Oh dear. This could be bad...
Sooo.. if I have a grudge against a neighbour, I can just enter their reg and make up a
wholey false 'bad driving report' about them.
Oh dear. This could be bad...
Posted by: BT1, Somewhere secret on 11:20am Fri 15 Aug 08
Taken from the site.. [italic]"Police and insurers, to compare their records against."[/italic]
Well, lets hope my neighbours insurance company never view this site, because I have just potentially ruined his otherwise clear 30 years of perfect driving history by making a totally false allegation of bad driving against him. this is why 'vigilante' justice never works.
[bold]IMHO, this site is irresponsible[/bold] .
Taken from the site..
"Police and insurers, to compare their records against."
Well, lets hope my neighbours insurance company never view this site, because I have just potentially ruined his otherwise clear 30 years of perfect driving history by making a totally false allegation of bad driving against him. this is why 'vigilante' justice never works.
IMHO, this site is irresponsible .
Posted by: Plus ça change..., Thumbscrewcombe on 11:33am Fri 15 Aug 08
In the Middle Ages they'd have had a field day with mobiles & cameras chasing 'heretics & witches'.
Medieval stuff.
In the Middle Ages they'd have had a field day with mobiles & cameras chasing 'heretics & witches'.
Medieval stuff.
Posted by: BT1, Somewhere secret on 11:35am Fri 15 Aug 08
539 complaints made by 'RoadCamera' in just over 1 year!
Its worth noting that 'RoadCamera' is [bold]HIMSELF[/bold] breaking the law.
I've noticed a few enties where he points out the the vehicle is uninsured. Now, I know if a few ways of gettinG this information and there are websites available. [bold]ALL OF WHICH REQUIRE YOU TO CONFIRM THAT YOUR ARE THE [italic]REGISTERED KEEPER[/italic] OF THE VEHICLE YOU ARE CHECKING.[/bold] Surely, he's not reporting himself is he?
539 complaints made by 'RoadCamera' in just over 1 year!
Its worth noting that 'RoadCamera' is
HIMSELF breaking the law.
I've noticed a few enties where he points out the the vehicle is uninsured. Now, I know if a few ways of gettinG this information and there are websites available.
ALL OF WHICH REQUIRE YOU TO CONFIRM THAT YOUR ARE THE REGISTERED KEEPER OF THE VEHICLE YOU ARE CHECKING. Surely, he's not reporting himself is he?
Posted by: BT1, Somewhere secret on 11:37am Fri 15 Aug 08
Taken from one such website..
[italic]"I confirm that the vehicle detailed above is registered, owned or insured by either my employer or myself and is regularly driven by me. I understand it is an offence to wrongfully obtain information of this nature without reasonable cause and if I fail to provide true reasons for acquiring information I may be committing an offence of unlawfully obtaining data contrary to section 55 of the Data Protection Act 1988. I declare that the information provided will not be used for any purposes unrelated to this enquiry."[/italic]
Taken from one such website..
"I confirm that the vehicle detailed above is registered, owned or insured by either my employer or myself and is regularly driven by me. I understand it is an offence to wrongfully obtain information of this nature without reasonable cause and if I fail to provide true reasons for acquiring information I may be committing an offence of unlawfully obtaining data contrary to section 55 of the Data Protection Act 1988. I declare that the information provided will not be used for any purposes unrelated to this enquiry." Posted by: BT1, Somewhere secret on 11:43am Fri 15 Aug 08
I have no doubt in my mind that this man checks all the vehicles he reports. 539 section 55 offences in one year. I hope he has a very good reason should he ever be asked to justify his actions.
I have no doubt in my mind that this man checks all the vehicles he reports. 539 section 55 offences in one year. I hope he has a very good reason should he ever be asked to justify his actions.
Posted by: Jay, High Wycombe on 11:56am Fri 15 Aug 08
This Dingbat really needs to get a life. One complaint was bad parking in Tesco's car park! Has he thought (and it must be a man) sometimes you have no choice but to park next to someone who has parked badly and when they go it looks as though it was you.
This Dingbat really needs to get a life. One complaint was bad parking in Tesco's car park! Has he thought (and it must be a man) sometimes you have no choice but to park next to someone who has parked badly and when they go it looks as though it was you.
Posted by: me, Marlow on 12:24pm Fri 15 Aug 08
It's quite funny. People are complaining about anything and everything. Also, this website has got reports going back to 2003.
It's quite funny. People are complaining about anything and everything. Also, this website has got reports going back to 2003.
Posted by: erm, ermsville on 12:48pm Fri 15 Aug 08
I say name and shame him, if he is willing to do that to others without rules or proof of the actions alleged then he should at least have the decency and guts to put his name in the public domain
I say name and shame him, if he is willing to do that to others without rules or proof of the actions alleged then he should at least have the decency and guts to put his name in the public domain
Posted by: paulc, Amersham on 12:53pm Fri 15 Aug 08
The whois info for the domain unfortunately doesn't give too much away:
[quote]Registrant:
Ixat Ltd., Andrew S McGavin
P O Box 5678
Helensburgh
n/a
G84 9WE
GB
Domain Name: betterdrivingplease.
com
Administrative Contact:
Donhost Team (DT00047-TR)
Donhost Team Ltd
1 Heather Court
Doncaster
South Yorkshire
DN2 5YL
GB
phone: +44.8707414151
fax: +44.8707414151
Domains@donhost.co.u
k
[/quote]
The whois info for the domain unfortunately doesn't give too much away:
Registrant:
Ixat Ltd., Andrew S McGavin
P O Box 5678
Helensburgh
n/a
G84 9WE
GB
Domain Name: betterdrivingplease.
com
Administrative Contact:
Donhost Team (DT00047-TR)
Donhost Team Ltd
1 Heather Court
Doncaster
South Yorkshire
DN2 5YL
GB
phone: +44.8707414151
fax: +44.8707414151
Domains@donhost.co.u
k
Posted by: BT1, Somewhere secret on 1:02pm Fri 15 Aug 08
The 'whois' only gives the site owners details. The user registered on the site, 'RoadCamera' is the person the story is about. How would naming him help the situation at all?
I'd be interested in how he has his camera rigged up in his car as some of the shots appear to be 'off centre' which either means he's taken his hands of the wheel to realign the camera to capture the event in question, or is using a handheld stills camera as well as the mounted video camera, which in my opinion is much worst than using a mobile phone..
'RoadCamera', care to register and give us your point of view and reasons for such action? I'm sure you are reading these comments. I do understand that situations can become very frustrating when it appears that nothing is being done, but there must be better ways of venting your issues? It looks like you are spending alot of time detailing these instances of 'bad' road behaviour.
The 'whois' only gives the site owners details. The user registered on the site, 'RoadCamera' is the person the story is about. How would naming him help the situation at all?
I'd be interested in how he has his camera rigged up in his car as some of the shots appear to be 'off centre' which either means he's taken his hands of the wheel to realign the camera to capture the event in question, or is using a handheld stills camera as well as the mounted video camera, which in my opinion is much worst than using a mobile phone..
'RoadCamera', care to register and give us your point of view and reasons for such action? I'm sure you are reading these comments. I do understand that situations can become very frustrating when it appears that nothing is being done, but there must be better ways of venting your issues? It looks like you are spending alot of time detailing these instances of 'bad' road behaviour.
Posted by: Malc London, Gerrards Cross on 1:23pm Fri 15 Aug 08
Anyone posting on there is leaving themselves open to legal action against them if the claims cannot be proven.
Anyone posting on there is leaving themselves open to legal action against them if the claims cannot be proven.
Posted by: BT1, Somewhere secret on 1:28pm Fri 15 Aug 08
[quote][bold]Malc London[/bold] wrote:
Anyone posting on there is leaving themselves open to legal action against them if the claims cannot be proven. [/quote] Lets be honest, the site is riddled with potential problems and the more people become aware of the its existance, the more potentially libellous material will appear.
Malc London wrote:
Anyone posting on there is leaving themselves open to legal action against them if the claims cannot be proven.
Lets be honest, the site is riddled with potential problems and the more people become aware of the its existance, the more potentially libellous material will appear.
Posted by: paulc, Amersham on 2:15pm Fri 15 Aug 08
[quote]The user registered on the site, 'RoadCamera' is the person the story is about.[/quote]
My bad, the site won't load here so I wasn't clear.
The user registered on the site, 'RoadCamera' is the person the story is about.
My bad, the site won't load here so I wasn't clear.
Posted by: Trefor, Out standing in my field on 2:29pm Fri 15 Aug 08
I'm disappointed not to be on this site. Must try harder. What does the camera car look like, I'll be sure to make myself known :-)
There is a big difference between the average bit of bad driving and driving dangerously. Trouble is this is always subjective. Some may think 80mph on the A404 Marlow Bypass is deadly. Some will think 100mph is acceptable in the right conditions.
I'm disappointed not to be on this site. Must try harder. What does the camera car look like, I'll be sure to make myself known :-)
There is a big difference between the average bit of bad driving and driving dangerously. Trouble is this is always subjective. Some may think 80mph on the A404 Marlow Bypass is deadly. Some will think 100mph is acceptable in the right conditions.
Posted by: littlemiss, Wycombe on 3:34pm Fri 15 Aug 08
What a sad fool. Seriously needs to get a life! And I'd be interested to know whether he/she is breaking the law whilst operating the damned camera whilst he/she drives around looking for these illegal number plates and people using mobiles.
What a sad fool. Seriously needs to get a life! And I'd be interested to know whether he/she is breaking the law whilst operating the damned camera whilst he/she drives around looking for these illegal number plates and people using mobiles.
Posted by: FBM, HP on 7:15pm Fri 15 Aug 08
He hides his name cos if he didn't he'd get the **** kicked outta him.
He hides his name cos if he didn't he'd get the **** kicked outta him.
Posted by: fedup, Bucks on 12:01am Sun 17 Aug 08
Mmmmmm I think this chap has over stepped the mark slightly .... next time I see someone taking photos of a car i ll takeo ne of him and post him on there ... muppetts the whole lot of them nothing else better to do ...... Get a Life roadcamera
Mmmmmm I think this chap has over stepped the mark slightly .... next time I see someone taking photos of a car i ll takeo ne of him and post him on there ... muppetts the whole lot of them nothing else better to do ...... Get a Life roadcamera
Posted by: Puzzled, Reading on 1:23am Sun 17 Aug 08
Excuse me - am I missing something here - there are virtually no traffic police on the roads these days - everybody can see that the roads are getting worse - this guy is highlighting the problem and you want to beat him up - why?
Excuse me - am I missing something here - there are virtually no traffic police on the roads these days - everybody can see that the roads are getting worse - this guy is highlighting the problem and you want to beat him up - why?
Posted by: fedup, Bucks on 12:46pm Wed 20 Aug 08
puzzled.... he is breaking the law himself .... He has no right to put peoples car details on the web as he has nt asked permission from the owners . yes the police arent around but numbers plate arent a issue , bad parking isnt a police matter and not breaking any laws only thing i agree with is drivers talking on a mobile phone while driving ....we re all guilty driving like a twits at some time in our lives ....
puzzled.... he is breaking the law himself .... He has no right to put peoples car details on the web as he has nt asked permission from the owners . yes the police arent around but numbers plate arent a issue , bad parking isnt a police matter and not breaking any laws only thing i agree with is drivers talking on a mobile phone while driving ....we re all guilty driving like a twits at some time in our lives ....
Posted by: Puzzled, Reading on 8:17pm Wed 20 Aug 08
Agreed fedup - we all drive like twits at some stage - but number plates are a serious issue - I know of somebody that the witness was not able to identify the correct vehicle because the plate was altered. Can't see why he is breaking the law.
Agreed fedup - we all drive like twits at some stage - but number plates are a serious issue - I know of somebody that the witness was not able to identify the correct vehicle because the plate was altered. Can't see why he is breaking the law.
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