[bikeman]

This SUV tried to run over one of our cyclist the other day. Going north on Buena Vista by the Savannah center round about, our group after stopping to let other cars clear, started north again. That is when this SUV came up from behind us in the left lane and crossed in front of our lane to turn right on El Camino Real just missing the lead rider by inches, and mean inches. Had he not turned his from wheel to the right just a little, he would have been hit. No telling what injuries might have occurred if the contact had happened. Fortunately, the last cyclist had a camera going and we were able to get the license number. We called the Sumter County police, and officer Wills, to report the incident. We were not looking to ticket the driver, but to let him/her know that crossing two lanes at a high rate of speed is jeopardizing the safety, and maybe the life of these cyclist. The officer refused to help even after giving him the license number. I wonder if the same officer would have shown any interest if this SUV had collided with the bicycle? I guess someone has to be injured before this officer would help with the situation. If you know this person, please notify them that what they did was totally wrong, and could have cost someone their life just to make the turn 5 seconds earlier. They never stopped, or even acknowledged any wrong doing. Even after giving the Sumter County officer the license number he refused to do anything telling me that Florida license plates has 6 numbers/letters not 5. I know that vanity plates in Florida can have less than 6. I am not sure why he chose not to pursue this problem, or at least make a call telling them they are now being watched and should be more considerate of cyclist. Here is a picture of the SUV. Please let me know if you know this person. License # SJE IT
Thanks for caring,

[Polar Bear]

I sympathize with you.

However, I'm not sure what you think the officer should have done. If you could take action against somebody based solely on the hearsay of another (there was admittedly no incident that the officer could investigate) think of the chaos that would cause. Simply don't like somebody? Tell police they committed a crime.

[looneycat]

Originally Posted by bikeman

This SUV tried to run over one of our cyclist the other day. Going north on Buena Vista by the Savannah center round about, our group after stopping to let other cars clear, started north again. That is when this SUV came up from behind us in the left lane and crossed in front of our lane to turn right on El Camino Real just missing the lead rider by inches, and mean inches. Had he not turned his from wheel to the right just a little, he would have been hit. No telling what injuries might have occurred if the contact had happened. Fortunately, the last cyclist had a camera going and we were able to get the license number. We called the Sumter County police, and officer Wills, to report the incident. We were not looking to ticket the driver, but to let him/her know that crossing two lanes at a high rate of speed is jeopardizing the safety, and maybe the life of these cyclist. The officer refused to help even after giving him the license number. I wonder if the same officer would have shown any interest if this SUV had collided with the bicycle? I guess someone has to be injured before this officer would help with the situation. If you know this person, please notify them that what they did was totally wrong, and could have cost someone their life just to make the turn 5 seconds earlier. They never stopped, or even acknowledged any wrong doing. Even after giving the Sumter County officer the license number he refused to do anything telling me that Florida license plates has 6 numbers/letters not 5. I know that vanity plates in Florida can have less than 6. I am not sure why he chose not to pursue this problem, or at least make a call telling them they are now being watched and should be more considerate of cyclist. Here is a picture of the SUV. Please let me know if you know this person. License # SJE IT
Thanks for caring,

i was wondering from your description it sounded like the whole group started out. anyone in the roundabout would then have right of way over a bike entering. was it that way???

[Nucky]

I feel your pain. However I am not Law Enforcement and neither are you. It is your choice to leave the offender's license plate number posted but I have a feeling it may not be the best way to go. My dad used to say, once your 3 times 7 you have to make your own decisions and live with the consequences. Be careful.

[golfing eagles]

I think this guy's soul mate just tried to cream me 15 minutes ago. Headed west on Pinellas, a similar colored vehicle, but a sedan, cut right across my cart lane to turn into Bonifay. I hit the brakes so hard that the cart skidded about 15 feet and left 1/4 inch rubber on the path, missed contact by a foot or 2. He did not stop, he did not have a signal on, and he wasn't old enough to use that excuse. I was tempted to chase him up to the clubhouse, but I'd have more luck talking to a rock.

[bikeman]

I also told the officer that we also had the video of the complete incident, but he did not care.

[bikeman]

He came from behind us to the round about in the left lane and cut across our right lane to make the turn. He did not have the right of way!

[bikeman]

If you need a rock to talk to, call officer Wills. Ha!

[bikeman]

That's why I contacted the officer. If he would have at least made an effort to inform the driver that cutting anyone off, especially a pedestrian or a cyclist, I would not have to resort to these tactics. This person has no compassion for anyone who gets in their way. We had been stopped for around 2 minutes waiting for the traffic coming from the north to make the round about down El Camino. No one else was coming from that way, so we preceded to go north in our lane up Buena Vista. This guy came from behind us and in the wrong lane to make a right turn. I just wanted the driver to made aware of their mistake. I don't think that I was asking for too much.

[Taltarzac725]

The police are probably scared about defense lawyers, liability and the like. Chain of custody for things filmed as well. There is also the problem of false testimony against neighbors, ex-lovers, employees, ex-friends, bosses and the like whom you might have some argument with.

Maybe some of the Villages cameras have picked up this person's bad driving. There would not be any personal animosity and chain of custody problems there.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

I think this guy's soul mate just tried to cream me 15 minutes ago. Headed west on Pinellas, a similar colored vehicle, but a sedan, cut right across my cart lane to turn into Bonifay. I hit the brakes so hard that the cart skidded about 15 feet and left 1/4 inch rubber on the path, missed contact by a foot or 2. He did not stop, he did not have a signal on, and he wasn't old enough to use that excuse. I was tempted to chase him up to the clubhouse, but I'd have more luck talking to a rock.

Many people seemed to be in a real hurry today. Had some tail-gating golf carts on my way to and from Sumter Landing. I go rather slow but not so much that I am a traffic nuisance.

[blueash]

According to state of Florida, the license plate SJE IT is available. Also available are SJE 1T and 5JE IT and 5JE 1T and all variations without the space.
https://services.flhsmv.gov/MVCheckPersonalPlate/

It does look like a Florida salutes veterans plate.

You can get information on the owner of any plate as that is public record.

Bureau of Records
2900 Apalachee Pkwy, MS 89
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0500
HSMV-Records@flhsmv.gov
(850) 617-2702

[venecia]

A question to the cycling community. A group of cyclists riding two abreast come to a four way stop sign. How many are permitted to cross at once? My thought is the first two riders with the rest of the pack taking their turn to stop.

[joldnol]

Each bike is a separate vehicle.....did they enter the circle En mass? Or individually?

[Sandtrap328]

How many times have we all seen the large groups of cyclists blow through STOP signs? They say they slow down and look for on-coming cars but do not unhook from their pedals.

The sign is not just a suggestion, cyclists.

You want to be considered a part of traffic - please obey the rules.

As for giving the police officer a plate number and saying the driver broke the law? Ridiculous! Posting his plate on TOTV? Irresponsible and quite possibly he could sue you for doing! If it was my plate, I would be contacting Attorney Dan Newlin.