An Isle of Wight driver has taken to social media to share dash cam footage of the moment he nearly collided head-on with a car that was overtaking on a blind crest.
The shocking footage shows a white VW Golf travelling at speed over Brading Downs Road towards Brading. The vehicle overtakes a Citroen Belingo on a blind crest and nearly ploughs head-on into the oncoming car, which thankfully was armed with a camera to capture the heart-stopping action.
Simon Bligh from Bembridge says he believes he was just 2 metres from being killed in the incident, which occurred yesterday morning (Friday).
Simon says:
“I was shaking when I pulled over and honestly if I didn’t have great anti-lock brakes he’d have ploughed into me.
“I couldn’t sleep last night thinking about what might have happened. I’m thankful for new tyres and good brakes on my car.
“The guy was wearing a shirt and tie so he is presumably not a joy rider”.
UPDATE MONDAY – It has been confirmed to Island Echo that the driver of the VW Golf has been successfully identified and spoken to by Police.
Investigations are ongoing at this time.
Anyone who has dashcam footage of this vehicle driving in a questionable manner either on Friday or at another time is asked to contact PC Dominic Green at Hampshire Constabulary by calling 101.
Unfortunately, this type of driving is becoming the norm now on the Island, and being committed by visitors as well as residents. Good reason to purchase a dash cam – for your own safety, and for providing evidence in court.
Thanks to those who retweeted this and Island Echo for picking this up. I’ve reported incident to Police so I hope to hear back from them. I think we have a real issue on the Island with very poor driving standards. It’s sobering to think how close I came to being another statistic.
If the police do nothing, try this link…. https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-7238001/Police-dash-cam-database-helped-prosecute-1-223-reckless-drivers-year.html
Simon, shocking to watch. Sadly, this type of poor driving is not unique to the Island. I have lived in Northampton for the last 30 years. Poor driving is something I have seen often in Northamptonshire. Being the victim of several RTA’s (never my fault) I have been the person impacted the most. My own car insurance has been increased, I have been injured, spent time off work, spent time in hospital and developed PTSD. The numpties who caused the accidents got a ‘slap on the wrist’, a fine, and 3 points on their license. Until the courts enforce higher penalties nothing will change.
Oh, don’t get me on the subject of driving while using a mobile phone; my blood pressure will probably increase!
PS: Didn’t we go to Ryde High School together?
Hi Stefan, yes we did! How nice to hear from you. The Police have been in touch with the driver so in their hands now.
I’m sorry to hear that you have had these problems. Please take care and best wishes to Andre too 🙂
We have 2 dashcam videos of him doing the same thing over the Downs in the morning. Can send them on if the Police want.
I think this would be very helpful. The Island Echo would pass on details of Police Officer or email me at [email protected] and I will let you have his details
There’s too many of these people on our roads .I meet the same ones every day on my way to work .they race each other with no regard for the speed limit or other road users .
I’ve had so many near misses with them uve lost count .
Standard IOW driving there. For what, getting to the junction ten seconds earlier? I have no problems with overtaking slower drivers safely – I do it myself – but that moron should be hunted down by the Police and prosecuted. I hope his details can be found.
Nowhere on the island is half hour away.
Just slow down, it’s now rocket science
I have given his car reg which is clearly
visible to the Police so let’s hope they do knock on his door soon
Name and shame
Surely this is more than enough evidence for the police to prosecute the idiot driver for dangerous driving. I bet my(our) council tax money nothing comes off this.
Inept comes to mind.
I was the van driver
Would you drop me an email please Daniel – I was driver with dashcam- [email protected]
Pity it wasn’t a big lorry… the guy in the golf would have been history. Clear cut case of dangerous driving but I’m not sure if the dash cam ‘evidence’ would be admissible in court…
Once again we see another Bellend driving. I see this, and more, every day of the week. The punishments must be more severe or it will continue to happen.
As an update I have been contacted by IW Police and they have asked for footage of the event. I’m very impressed with their response to this.
He did exactly the same to me seconds before you. I had my young children in the car with me and we were on our way to school. I had to slam my brakes on and swerve out of his way (and almost into the hedge) to avoid a collision. My life flashed before my eyes, I felt so sick and we were quite shaken afterwards.
Please contact me on [email protected] and I will pass on your details to the Police as they would be interested in speaking with you I’m sure Marie. I hope you are ok
I’ve emailed you Simon.
This is just awful and made me feel sick just watching it.I hope he is prosecuted for his diabolical risk taking. Cars are lethal weapons in the wrong hands !!
Should be able to highlight thr registration number on the licence plate .
Wow! What a tool.. Glad you are ok my friend, that was a close one and someone was looking down on you then for sure. Glad you reported it to the police, these people are a menace to society and need to realise their actions have consequences.
MANIAC
If the police find the driver he or she should be removed immediately from driving before it’s too late, the driver simply doesn’t have the mindset to understand what it means to drive safely..
I have seen this car doing the same thing on the same road a few weeks ago.
Simon, pretty sure I know who it is and where he works.
Drives like it every day, had half a dozen near misses with him.
Generally just give him the bird, or wave as he comes past.
You do WHAT???
Find the car and immobilize it any way you can to stop it being driven any more. Time for public action over such dangerous behavior especially as it not the first time it has been done to people
Excellent news, more of this sort of police activity please