West midlands police enforce "best cyclist safety initiative ever"
Posted on in Cycles News
Motorists who drive too close to cyclists are to be prosecuted as part of a new police scheme hailed as "best cyclist safety initiative ever" by Cycling UK.
West Midlands Police force is thought to be the first in the country to proactively target motorists who flout laws requiring them to give cyclists at least the same space as vehicles when overtaking.
Anyone encroaching inside a safe passing distance, widely considered to be a minimum of 1.5 metres, runs the risk of being prosecuted for driving without due care and attention.
Under the initiative - which was trialled over four days last month - police cyclists radio through details of "close-pass" drivers for colleagues in cars to intercept at a designated holding point.
Drivers will be offered road-side educational input on safe overtaking but repeat offenders, or anyone deemed to have driven dangerously close to a cyclist, could be prosecuted and taken to court.
David Cox, chairman of trustees at charity UK Cycling, said: "We are delighted that West Midlands Police is to actively target close-pass drivers.
"The outcome will mean greater safety for everyone who cycles or would like to use a cycle for everyday trips."
Cycling UK added that: "The Highway Code rules clearly state that drivers should allow vulnerable road users as much room as they would a car when overtaking - but many people seem not to know this, and many who do ignore it."
"This is the first time a police force has come forward with a plan to prioritise enforcement against close pass drivers. It is quite simply the best cyclist safety initiative by any police force, ever."
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