Suggested cover note to Gardai

BELOW YOU WILL FIND A SUGGESTED LETTER THAT COULD BE USED TO REPORT A CLOSE DANGEROUS OVERTAKING MANOEUVRE WHILE YOU ARE OUT CYCLING:

Garda Submission

The document on the following pages could be used when submitting a

complaint to the Gardai.

***Without prejudice***

<Your Name Here>

<Address Line 1>

<Address Line 2>

<contact number>

<contact email>

DD Month 20YY

Title and Name of Officer In Charge [if you know their name use it (ring and find it out), otherwise address it to the Officer in Charge]

<??????? Region>

<Station Name>

<Address Line 1>

<Address Line 2>

Dear Sir/Madam, [if you know their name use it instead]

I am writing to you because of an incident that occurred to me on <dd/mm/yyyy> at approximately <hh:mm> am/pm. [edit the following paragraph as required to reflect your situation if you

feel it needs to be changed]

Whilst I was not injured, no property was damaged and there was no contact made between myself and the offender in this case, the incident was dangerous enough for me to be in fear of my own personal safety. I am

fearful that this offender may cause myself or others harm in the future if their behaviour is allowed to remain unchecked. This is akin to speeding offences where in most cases the offender when caught was not or has not

injured anyone, no property was damaged and no accident has occurred, but they are penalised for what may occur if their speeding is allowed to remain unchecked. In my case the offence was immediately life threatening to me and the driver needs to be made aware of the seriousness of their behaviour towards other road users. Next time it could result in an injury, property damage, an accident or worse a fatality.

You may be thinking at this point that there is nothing you can do for me, however there is. Because this type of situation is becoming all too common, cyclists like myself have resorted to using Digital Video Cameras (DVRs) as a means of giving ourselves the evidence necessary to capture life threatening behaviour of motorists. With this evidence that I have enclosed for you on a CD, there is no reason for you not to be able to take action

against the offender in this case.

I realise that the Gardai are very busy which is why I am writing to you. This will allow you to consider this matter fully and determine the action you will be taking against the offender before contacting me for formal

statements. I trust that you will take my letter seriously as the seriousness of this for me is that my wife/husband/partner, children and family do not want to have to visit me in hospital recovering from injuries sustained from a poorly behaved and ignorant driver, or possibly worse. All I ask is that I be allowed to be able to cycle legally, safely and without fear of personal injury to myself by others.

I await your favourable reply.

Yours sincerely

<Your Name Here>

Attachments/Inclusions:

Descriptions/Informal Statement; and

CD with video evidence of the incident.

[With video evidence do not embellish it or add commentary to it for

submitting it as evidence, this will play against you particularly if it

goes to court.  At most, maybe add a banner advising what camera is in

use ie Front, Rear, Helmet and when in slow motion, add the tag “Slo Mo” so

that it is clear the video has been altered. If the video is altered too

much in post editing, it may place doubt over the veracity of the

information.]