Over the years, the relationship between drivers and cyclists has been complicated, to say the least. These two groups often find themselves on opposite sides of the battle for space on public roads. This conflict manifests itself in frustrations and sometimes unpleasant incidents.
A recent incident has once again highlighted the delicate coexistence between the two, when a bicycle user recorded how a driver threatened to run him over after a small disagreement at an intersection. “I guess he made it. I’m so tired of this…” expressed the cyclist in X.
Despite video evidence of the incident, the cyclist pointed out a larger problem: the authorities’ apparent inaction in the face of these types of threats. “I also love how having video evidence of people threatening you with a deadly weapon for no reason is basically useless. They can keep doing it,” he lamented in his post.
Determined to seek justice, the cyclist contacted the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) to report the incident, but received a disappointing response. Despite explaining the situation and mentioning that he had videographic evidence, the SMPD’s initial response was to dismiss the case, claiming that it did not constitute a crime. “It’s just your feelings,” they told him, downplaying the seriousness of the threat.
At the insistence of the cyclist, who even mentioned that lawyers had recommended he report the incident, the police finally agreed to gather more information. However, the attitude of the agents did not change much. After being treated after waiting unnecessarily outside the police station, he was informed that the only violation being studied was the driver’s failure to obey a stop sign.
The cyclist tried unsuccessfully to have the threat to his integrity taken seriously, but the response was clear: current laws do not provide for concrete actions against road rage, leaving a gap in protection against vehicular violence. The police only agreed to search the driver’s license plate after repeated insistence, although without guarantees that action would be taken.