A Bristol cyclist is reportedly facing a £1,000 fine for blocking a road after spotting a driver using his mobile phone behind the wheel.
Tom Bosanquet, 42, sent his headcam footage to police showing a driver allegedly using a phone while at the wheel, and drove through a red light on March 4. But he was then notified by Avon and Somerset police that he faced a fine for breaking traffic regulations.
According to the Sunday Times , police allegedly stated that because he ‘blocked the road’ to ‘'converse with the occupant' of the vehicle he broke the law himself. Police reportedly said that the driver perhaps 'in his frustration then decided to go through the red light', which led to sending Tom a prosecution letter.
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Speaking with the Sunday Times, Tom revealed that he began filming dangerous drivers in 2020 after he spotted a driver on the wheel zooming down the street, whilst clutching a phone in one hand. He has since submitted 500 headcam videos to the police in 2021 and with an additional 200 thus far in 2022.
As a cyclist and father of one, Tom felt it was his personal duty of care to take action and openly assist the police in helping to take down dangerous driving, one police report at a time. Since his alleged fine threat, on the hand, Tom states that the very 'civic efforts' that were intended for good were now advised to be used without bringing him 'into conflict with other road users'.
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Tom’s story has sparked a lot of debate on social media, even broadcaster Jeremy Vine tweeted in his defence, by writing: “Has anyone got any more detail on this absolutely ridiculous #tombosanquet situation? @WeAreCyclingUK need to be involved here. @ASPolice @MikeyCycling”
Sunday Times journalist, Nicholas Hellen, had tweeted said: "Cyclist who filmed motorist breaking law faces £1,000 fine- after police used his own footage for prosecution His offence? Held up van behind him for 9 seconds @allpartycycling @BikeIsBestHQ @WeAreCyclingUK @London_Cycling"
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