Drivers hit back at cyclists and go to war with bike-riding vigilantes

Drivers and cyclists are locked in an escalating war which has seen sales of mobile recording equipment soar, a Sunday Post probe can reveal.

Both factions are increasingly jostling for space on our bad-tempered, traffic-snarled roads.

And to aid them to do battle on the daily commute, helmet and dashboard cameras have become must-have items for road users desperate to capture footage of themselves being cut up.

According to the latest research the popularity of dash-cams has increased by 918% over the past 12 months.

But experts are warning lives are being put at risk as both camps ditch road safety so they can digitally outmanoeuvre their rivals.

It’s believed much of the surge has been prompted by motorists anxious to protect themselves from false claims of poor driving from vigilante cyclists armed with digital recording equipment of their own.

One two-wheeled crusader has managed to secure 70 motoring convictions after gathering footage then passing it on to the police.

However, motoring campaigners and safety experts have warned the filming trend on our roads could do more harm than good.

Neil Greig, of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, warned: “In the past dash and head-cam output seemed to be more about creating a few laughs on You Tube, but now things are taking a more sinister turn.

“Behaviour verging on the vigilante is creeping in with cyclists following buses to get a better shot and cars chasing each other through housing estates to right some perceived wrong-doing.

“In our view, no-one should risk their or others’ lives by taking the law into their own hands. Criminal behaviour is a matter for the police.”

Vigilante cyclist Dave Sherry was dubbed “the most hated man on two wheels” for his crusade against drivers breaking the law.

Using two cameras on his £2,000 bike and one mounted on his crash helmet, he captured incriminating footage on his 40-mile round-trip commute every day, and even dished out a ticking-off to a police officer.

The 37-year-old fended off attacks from fed-up drivers and secured two convictions for assaults on him, including being punched in the stomach by a furious van driver.

He defended his campaign saying: “I’m doing the nitty gritty stuff people don’t want to do.

“I might have a reputation as Britain’s most hated cyclist but so be it, I’m proud of what I do. I do what I do to make our roads safer for everyone.”

But IAM’s Neil Greig warned trial by social media was fraught with problems.

“The police can of course accept evidence from any source,” he said. “But the fundamental principle of ‘innocent until proven guilty’ must always apply.

“Unfortunately that does not seem to work with trial by social media, where people are often far too quick to jump to conclusions, literally without the full picture.

“The IAM has no problem with the use of amateur footage as part of an investigation into careless or dangerous driving, but it must be backed up by traditional evidence and independent witnesses.

“Police video equipment is approved to specific standards whereas dash and head-cams are not.”

Earlier this week it emerged the police had launched an investigation after a driver was caught eating a bowl of cereal at the wheel.

The incident was filmed by cycling instructor David Williams, 47, in London, who spotted a female driver behind the wheel of a red Land Rover Discovery.

He said: “It’s really disturbing that people think driving while eating a bowl of cereal is acceptable.”

Meanwhile, bus operator Stagecoach also launched an investigation this month after shocking footage emerged of a driver using his mobile and reading paperwork with passengers in the back.

The incident, which happened on the A944 Aberdeen to Strathdon road, was captured by a cyclist, who said the bus driver then attempted to film him after realising his unsafe driving had been caught on camera.

Last week, a London tour bus driver was also filmed allegedly throttling a woman who filmed her running a red light.

Hugh Bladon, of the Association of British Drivers, is concerned about the increasing tension.

“There’s no place for this sort of vigilante behaviour,” he said.“For me, dash-cams should be used for protection in case you are accused of something you haven’t done.

“We are in danger of things getting out of hand.

“I simply don’t like the idea of people reporting on other people and the potential consequences.”

Police Scotland chiefs have also warned road users they must not take matters into their own hands.

Chief Superintendent Iain Murray, head of roads policing for Police Scotland, said: “In the aftermath of any incident, all possible sources of evidence are considered.

“If a helmet or dash-cam has been in use then this will be viewed as part of that process.

“While it may be of benefit to the inquiry, it is important motorists or riders do not put themselves or others at unnecessary risk in attempting to record footage.”