Life-threatening vandalism on the A801

Post by **campbell** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 3:58 pm

On our way back from Cumbria last night with the kids, in the Golf, 10 mins from home on the A801 between Whitburn and Armadale, just west of Bathgate at the time.

Spotted the reflectors of some stationary pushbikes on the flyover we're approaching, get that usual "hm, hope they are not planning on throwing anything onto the car" type feeling.

This time it was justified. Huge bang, large impact crater in the windscreen. Jumped on the brakes, piled out in the hope of ID'ing the wee feckers who did it. No chance, embankment too steep and overgrown to climb and it's pitch dark for heaven's sake.

Both kids wakened, obviously, and screaming with fright. Lisa the angriest I've seen her, trying to comfort them. Me shouting as loud as I can up at the flyover in the hope the neds hear and wonder..."hm, what have we actually done...". Clearly no conscience in them of course, and probably long gone, but it's just a reaction isn't it.

999 very helpful but apologetic that can't get anyone to the scene particularly fast (I guess if one or more of us was injured that would be different). As luck would have it a local patrol was passing, saw the hazards, and stopped to ask "Have you broken down, sir?". When I mentioned the brick through the windscreen, they whipped round sharpish and did what they could. Visit from them this morning to take statements, but sadly with no ID on the vandals and no sure knowledge of which way they fled, chances are slim.

Frankly I'd like to wring their necks. In the absence of any injury (thankfully - let's hear it for laminated windscreens, crash-testing and German engineering), we're well brassed off at the ensuing costs and inconveniences of insurance repairs, car off the road for however long etc. Totally undriveable just now, the missile left a 6-inch crater, accompaning spider's web to all sides of the screen, a half-inch hole right through the screen and a nice crease in the roof at the edge of the point of impact. Missed the roofbox by an inch or two...bummer, that would have saved a fortune had it hit there instead!

Its trajectory was on course for the driver's side so I've had a lucky escape. The potential accident that might have ensued doesn't bear thinking about. I guess when you've got your wife, toddler and baby in the car, your sense of protection and responsibility is a bit heightened.

Turns out a bus was hit in the same way earlier that day, and there has been a spate of similar attacks in the area recently. It's bl**dy mindless and potentially fatal, so all I can say is keep your eyes peeled. Oh, and if you might know of anything that could build up a better picture of those responsible, drop me a PM.

Be careful etc.

Campbell

tut · Post by **tut** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 4:15 pm

That sort of incident is a nightmare Campbell, and nowadays one that you can do nothing about. Can only hope that they are in line for some sort of severe repercussion in the near future.

Thankfully nobody hurt this time, but dozens killed so far by the same sort of twats on roads and railways.

tut

Gareth · Post by **Gareth** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 4:17 pm

Shocking, glad all of the family are safe.

mattg · Post by **mattg** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 4:22 pm

am always concious when i see folk on overhead passes, check for debris on road under bridge etc... but i guess this isnt possible in the dark

sorry to hear about your hit.

graeme · Post by **graeme** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 4:26 pm

Frick! Glad you're all OK!

It's ok to change lanes (if it's safe to do so obviously) purely to avoid passing under a somebody or something on a bridge above your lane. The police are taught to do this, and I was expected to say "bridge-check" in my commentary when passing under every flyover/footbridge during the IAM test to show that I had considered whether there was anything above which might make a lane-change a prudent option. Good advice it would seem...

Again, really glad you're not hurt.

BiggestNizzy · Post by **BiggestNizzy** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 4:26 pm

Little B*stards!
As long as everyone is ok.

although if I remember right doesn't a roof ding compromise the structural integrity of the whole roof ?

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 4:40 pm

Sorry to hear this Campbell. As others have mentioned, all the family are okay!

PITA about the car.

With the best will in the world, and safe driving, good observation, it's not always possible to avoid such instances... sometimes you just have to take your chances.

Post by **campbell** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 4:51 pm

graeme wrote:Frick! Glad you're all OK!

It's ok to change lanes (if it's safe to do so obviously) purely to avoid passing under a somebody or something on a bridge above your lane. The police are taught to do this, and I was expected to say "bridge-check" in my commentary when passing under every flyover/footbridge during the IAM test to show that I had considered whether there was anything above which might make a lane-change a prudent option. Good advice it would seem...

Again, really glad you're not hurt.

Good point Graeme. I have never taken such pre-emtive avoiding action in the past, did briefly consider on this occasion, and of course with sod's law chose not to

Will be doing so in future I can tell you.

Post by **campbell** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 4:52 pm

BiggestNizzy wrote: compromise the structural integrity of the whole roof ?

I do harbour that worry just now, but will see what Steve Walker has to say this week.

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 4:52 pm

Sh!t. Glad you are all OK.

We regually get things dropped on the narrowboat from bridges, fortunatly you get a bit more warning to do something. If you catch them they dont know why they were doing it.

Little feckers used todo that in Northern Ireland on the m-ways too. All the bridges now have high fences over them to stop it.

gorrie · Post by **gorrie** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 4:55 pm

I've had a mud-bomb land in front of me before, but nothing has scary as that Campbell. It's actually quite sickening to think that there are fannies around who are quite happy to gamble with peoples lives for a quick laugh to pass the time.

Now, if they had thrown themselves from the bridge, at least there would have been some justice.

fd · Post by fd » Mon Nov 05, 2007 6:30 pm

I never drive underneath people on a bridge if I can reasonably avoid it . . . waving kiddies or otherwise . . . my uncle had a 1/2 slab thrown through the windscreem of his car (then through the passenger seat and into the back of the car) near Glasow years ago . . . of course the neds were never caught, he was ok, the car was written off . . .

In these PC days they will probably get an iPod and a holiday to Barbados if they get caught . . . the same as all the other neds, risking people lives, vandalising peoples property, it goes on and on . . . bring back the birch . . . zero tolerance . . . you'd get the fsckers in the end, one way or another . . .

Fd

Matelotman · Post by **Matelotman** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 6:34 pm

Glad everyone is ok - could have been so much worse...

Hope you catch them first and administer some personal justice

craigs135s · Post by **craigs135s** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 6:35 pm

Glad you are ok mate you must have got a freight.

I always very wary when i have the roof of the car if there is anyone over head.

Cheers
C

Edin430 · Post by **Edin430** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 7:02 pm

Mate - nightmare.....

Hope all is well and glad you and family are okay...

I have to admit if it happened to me and i caught the fcuk i think i would probably end up in jail - so maybe best you could not get to them...