Near Miss of the Day 701: Speeding bus driver “very lucky” to avoid prosecution for close pass (includes swearing)

wycombewheeler wrote:

I think there is not a time limit to crime, most cases can be charged after any amount of time, but driving offences require the registered keeper to identify the driver, the keeper must be notified within 14 days.

Presumably, the limit was introduced around discussion along the lines of "how can a vehicle owner be expected to remember who was driving the vehicle at a particular time 6 months ago?"

Of course if drivers had to fix their own idividual numbered driving tabards to their cars before using them this could be done away with. It would be a real benefit if drivers of vehicles could be easily identified in the event of wrongdoing.

I'd prefer it if driving offences were automatically charged against the registered vehicle keeper and the onus put on them to dispute it and finger(!) the alleged driver at the time. That would ensure that hire companies would take more interest in checking credentials and keeping records.

It'd also make logical sense as so many RTCs are described as "vehicle hits something", so let's make it similar to owning a dangerous pet - the owner is responsible for whatever their vehicle gets up to.

Runtilyoudrop wrote:

Why is there a time limit to a crime? Is this a real legal issue or something to excuse their indolence?

Maybe society - and that then extends to the police - don't see this as "real crime"? I bet those who've had this kind of experience would feel differently. But most people don't because they / their friends and relatives rarely or never cycle on UK roads. Or even if they do they may think "this is how it is - my fault for cycling here".

Any road offence needs to be reported within 14 days. Ideally no more that 10 days due to the backlog that the police are working through and difficulties that they might have in contacting the registered owner of a vehicle. Other crimes can be investigated in different times, although there are other challenges.

From my own experiences, when it comes to delivering justice for a road crime it varies greatly. For a left hook it was a simple case of a driver awareness court. For a red light jumping lorry it took 6 months and a closed court appearance.

Don't you mean cyclist?