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What is a best way to report

atoyf

atoyf

Well-known member
Joined
May 30, 2004
Location
East Bay
Moto(s)
BMW
Hello,

I had a very unpleasant experience this morning, coming out of "Berkely?" Tunnel on hwy 24, heading towards Walnut Creek.

Right after the tunnel the road goes down a tad and is relatively high speed.

I was traveling in the very left lane, on my big-O adventure bike, with two cars ahead of me - NOT tailgating anyone, i switched one lane to the right with bike leaned over and the road twists twice in that part, once again relatively high speed turns.

One out of these two cars, that was closer to me/right ahead of me, did the same thing, almost clipping me from behind and pushing me further to the right, still within my lane. Then he proceeded to the 3rd lane, to the left, then while right next to me in that 3rd lane, he initiated another maneuver and pushed me all the way to left in front of the other car. As you know things happen rather quickly at highway speeds, I managed.

It was deliberate, the person knew what he was doing by pushing me like that. I did not come across him up until the tunnel, so do not what provoked. But, regardless of the story, my question is -

How does one go about reporting deliberate attempt to kill, I'm not exaggerating, been riding for a long time, seen enough, this guy had done things purposely.
1. What evidence stands while reporting, where does on call to report, what does police need/require to pursue the case, start investigation?
2. What's minimally required for the person to get a knock to the door?
3. What would stand in court?

I unfortunately do not run a camera, going to purchase one (what camera will capture license plate number?), this post is rather investigative for me to understand how I can prepare better, if God forbid, something like that would take place again.
 
Glad you are alright.
I was knocked off my bike 2 years ago. I have run cameras on my bikes and cars ever since.
 
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Lonster said:
Glad you are alright.
I was knocked off my bike 2 years ago. I have run cameras on my bikes and cars ever since.
Click to expand...

Thanks man. I got nothing this time, my goal is to prepare as best as I can if something like that would take place ever again.
 
atoyf said:
Hello,

I had a very unpleasant experience this morning, coming out of "Berkely?" Tunnel on hwy 24, heading towards Walnut Creek.

Right after the tunnel the road goes down a tad and is relatively high speed.

I was traveling in the very left lane, on my big-O adventure bike, with two cars ahead of me - NOT tailgating anyone, i switched one lane to the right with bike leaned over and the road twists twice in that part, once again relatively high speed turns.

One out of these two cars, that was closer to me/right ahead of me, did the same thing, almost clipping me from behind and pushing me further to the right, still within my lane. Then he proceeded to the 3rd lane, to the left, then while right next to me in that 3rd lane, he initiated another maneuver and pushed me all the way to left in front of the other car. As you know things happen rather quickly at highway speeds, I managed.

It was deliberate, the person knew what he was doing by pushing me like that. I did not come across him up until the tunnel, so do not what provoked. But, regardless of the story, my question is -

How does one go about reporting deliberate attempt to kill, I'm not exaggerating, been riding for a long time, seen enough, this guy had done things purposely.
1. What evidence stands while reporting, where does on call to report, what does police need/require to pursue the case, start investigation?
2. What's minimally required for the person to get a knock to the door?
3. What would stand in court?

I unfortunately do not run a camera, going to purchase one (what camera will capture license plate number?), this post is rather investigative for me to understand how I can prepare better, if God forbid, something like that would take place again.
Click to expand...

I would think it would be CHP jurisdiction, from what you described, though not really familiar with that exact location.

I understand you have no video. Do you have the license plate? Can you also describe the vehicle and driver and believe you can pick the driver out of a photo lineup? My guess is you can at least describe the vehicle somewhat and that's about it.

You weren't actually hit, and that's the good news. Sounds like a bit of road rage/reckless driving. I believe you that you felt like he was trying to kill you. But you weren't hit. I can almost guarantee you that law enforcement is not going to be writing an attempted murder case. I'm leaning toward nothing happening, especially without video, without a license plate, and without being able to identify the driver. And even if we had all those things, it would still be a BIG maybe for LE to pursue a misdemeanor reckless driving case.
 
bojangle said:
I would think it would be CHP jurisdiction, from what you described, though not really familiar with that exact location.

I understand you have no video. Do you have the license plate? Can you also describe the vehicle and driver and believe you can pick the driver out of a photo lineup? My guess is you can at least describe the vehicle somewhat and that's about it.

You weren't actually hit, and that's the good news. Sounds like a bit of road rage/reckless driving. I believe you that you felt like he was trying to kill you. But you weren't hit. I can almost guarantee you that law enforcement is not going to be writing an attempted murder case. I'm leaning toward nothing happening, especially without video, without a license plate, and without being able to identify the driver. And even if we had all those things, it would still be a BIG maybe for LE to pursue a misdemeanor reckless driving case.
Click to expand...


Okay, so looks like they/CHP has 800 number:
https://www.chp.ca.gov/home/contact-us

That answers it.

But regarding other points, it sounds such as unless there was a physical contact or otherwise injuries, no law enforcement would get involved. This kind of makes sense, but at the same mind blowing.
First thing first, get the camera for evidence collection, and carry some quarters for unfavorable windshields..
 
I believe you are correct. Back when south bay 101 was just two lanes, I was commuting in the left lane following a line of cars. A sedan comes up and was tailgating. I was coming upon a big rig and had planned to pull over once I got past that. Turns out, the lady tailgating me could not wait and wanted to pass me, but did not have the room. She was right next to me and I looked at her through her side window. She was looking right at me and proceeded an abrupt lane change. We did not have contact but I was quickly in the rough shoulder bounding around. I kept it up and stopped at the next roadside emergency call box. Dispatched asked if I crashed. No, nothing they can do.

Another instance was in my car. A similar situation though the person passed me and did a brake check. We exited together and when getting to the stop light, they put it R and backed right into me and took off. When I called it in, I was asked if there is more than $1000 of damage. Probably not, I said. Well, go pound sand was the message I got out of it.

That was a long time ago. I think there is much less care now-a-days.
 
Early in my riding/commuting career I had a similar experienced except the person hit me. I glanced off the drivers door but kept the bike up. I got behind the car and started honking my horn. He pulled off at the next exit into a parking lot. I followed him into the parking lot, confronted him and went into full rage. A really stupid move on my part. He started backing out and I ran up and yanked his front license plate off his bumper. He took off so I called 911. CHP met me about 5 minutes later. The officer listened to what I had to say and then informed me that I didn't have any damage to my bike and that I actually damaged his car. The LEO looked up the plate and told me the guy was a low life that had numerous contacts with LEO and quite a history.
Even if I hadn't damaged his car and it was hit and run, the DA's office wouldn't prosecute. They have more important things to do.
The way I handled everything was really stupid and I've since learned to let the assholes be assholes and ride my own ride.
 
I'm surprised you weren't arrested. I had something similar, but I instead followed them into the parking lot, where they went shopping. I was on the call with dispatch and they would not come out. I was frustrated and told the lady that I'm gonna move his mirrors around. They told me if I do that it would be vandalism and would arrest me for it.

I knew what they were doing but jeeze the guy actually tried to kill me.
 
Try reporting a drunk driver that can't hold the car in one lane. Maybe they will look for him, as they post "Report drunk drivers, 911" on signs on the road. Might at least get him stopped.
 
nah, you don't want to file a false report.
 
Glad to hear you didn't get hit, sounds like you have good "spidey sense" which surely saved you.
I'll bet this sort of thing happens dozens or hundreds of times a day on Bay Area roadways and even if you had video the police are too busy and short staffed to deal with it.
Unfortunately what's a big deal to you isn't to them given the circumstances of your incident.
I'd say your best bet is to "camera up" for the future and keep on with that "spidey sense"
As far as cameras, GoPro is probably the standard but there are other cheaper options out there.
Good luck
 
When I was 16, I was told by motorcycle mentors: "90% of cars don't see motorcycles and the 10% that do see you are actually trying to run over you."

In the 43 years since, that parable has pretty much panned out to be true.

Having ridden so many years, I have learned that I expect every car I encounter that might be able to cut me off will actually try to do so.
I plan how I am going to evade every car, if they do cut me off.
If they actually do cut me off, I just need to execute my plan.
If they don't cut me off, FANTASTIC!
Either way, I end up having a better day, did not allow an idiot to ruin my mood/day or waste time and energy on their negativity and overall have a lot more fun riding.

And isn't having more fun riding the entire point of riding a motorcycle?

Don't sweat the small stuff and while this incident may not seem to be "small" in the big scheme, it is very small because you were not hurt.

Rode safe, have fun.
 
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motomania2007 said:
When I was 16, I was told by motorcycle mentors: "90% of cars don't see motorcycles and the 10% that do see you are actually trying to run over you."

In the 43 years since, that parable has pretty much panned out to be true.

Having ridden so many years, I have learned that I expect every car I encounter that might be able to cut me off will actually try to do so.
I plan how I am going to evade every car, if they do cut me off.
If they actually do cut me off, I just need to execute my plan.
If they don't cut me off, FANTASTIC!
Either way, I end up having a better day, did not allow an idiot to ruin my mood/day or waste time and energy on their negativity and overall have a lot more fun riding.

And isn't having more fun riding the entire point of riding a motorcycle?

Don't sweat the small stuff and while this incident may not seem to be "small" in the big scheme, it is very small because you were not hurt.

Rode safe, have fun.
Click to expand...

Well stated.
 
When I encounter "situations" involving drivers like that, I do what I can to get them in front of me, then create as much space between me and the offending dickhead as possible.

Even so, I had a close-call recently with someone on city streets who was either severely impaired, senile or intentionally trying to crush me between his mini-van and a row of parked cars. The way things developed I had virtually no chance to avoid getting boxed, but managed to escape with a minimum of contact with his rt side mirror.

Once I was away, I made a LOT of space between myself and that nutjob. A scary reminder to always keep trouble where you can see it, and get away if you need to.

A motorcycle cannot "win" a demolition contest with a 5,000lb car, or truck.
 
atoyf said:
I unfortunately do not run a camera, going to purchase one (what camera will capture license plate number?)
Click to expand...
Search youtube videos for the cameras you're interested in. See if you can read the plates, day or night.

I'd been using a GoPro Session, bike-mounted for commuting. It will capture plates. Even at night you might be able to make out a plate ahead of you. I would expect any modern GoPro to perform better at that. And I'd expect most dedicated dash cams to be more convenient for this (after installation anyway), though many will have inferior image.

Maybe there should be a share your dashcam clips/captures thread in Moto Photos & Video?
 
I find the age-old saw of tossing quarters (or anything else) to be terrible advice or act. What it would be good at is moving your status from "Victim" to "Asshole" ("Aggressor"?) should a suspect ever be identified or found. You've moved from Victim status to co-combatant kinda thing. Don't go there.
 
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