Website names and shames bad drivers (From Swindon Advertiser)

Website names and shames bad drivers

10:22am Monday 16th June 2008

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MORE than 100 drivers in Swindon have appeared in the Hall of Shame on a dangerous driving website.

The website Better Driving Please was set up in order to give power back to people who feel the police cannot deter motorists.

Site founder Andrew McGavin, of Burford, Oxfordshire, said: "It's about getting the public saying I'm not prepared to have a person following me with a mobile phone at five feet from my bumper.' "Our lives are being endangered by other people and it's time to strike back - we're not prepared to take it any more."

On the website 114 drivers have been pinpointed for dangerous driving around Swindon and another 49 for causing a nuisance on the roads in Wootton Bassett.

Drivers on the site face a public reprimand when their number plates are displayed on the web along with a description of their actions.

At present the police are not involved in the scheme, but Andrew is compiling a list of continual offenders and will soon be talking about the issue to the police.

So far the website has had more than 13,000 reports.

One driver, logging on to the site as Andynewell, reported: "BMW parked on pavement and double yellow lines in Rodbourne Road, he pulled out suddenly without indicating as I was about to pass.

"Braked to avoid and blew horn. He stopped in middle of road and showed V sign."

The reports are given traffic light ratings depending on how serious they are, with red for the most dangerous driving offences, amber for careless motoring and green for sensible drivers.

In Swindon there are 53 red and 61 amber reports, but no reports of good drivers.

The highest number of offenders highlighted on the website are mobile phone users.

Last November Advertiser photographers snapped drivers flouting the law and putting lives at risk by using their phones at the wheel.

Other offences reported to Better Driving Please included using illegal number plates, which Andrew said led people to believe they were above the law as speed cameras cannot catch them.

Andrew came up with the idea after realising how many people were affected by bad driving. "I don't like being bullied and I think that the more you drive around, the more people try to bully you," he said.

According to the DVLA there are two million cars on the road that are not taxed or insured.

Andrew said the scheme had already attracted support from the former Commissioner of Metropolitan Police, Lord Paul Condon.

He added: "There's a perception that you report to the police and nothing happens, and apathy has set in.

"We're simply saying that when you are involved in a near miss and you say how the hell did that person get away with it?' but you cannot face going to the police station, report it on the site."

Visiting the website is free, but to be a verified member will cost £1.

To check if your vehicle features on the website visit www.betterdrivingplease.com.

Is your number plate on this website? Let the advertiser know by calling the newsroom on 01793 501797.

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