In today’s episode, we’re examining a dangerous incident from Saturday, 10th August 2024, where a van cut a blind right-hand bend at speed, crossing into the path of an oncoming cyclist.
The map shows the incident’s location and the cyclist’s direction of travel.
Let’s review that dangerous manoeuvre again in slow motion.
The footage was uploaded to the West Yorkshire Police Safer Roads Media Submission Portal on the same day, with a unique reference number confirming the submission. Police responded by email on Monday, 12th August 2024, confirming that inquiries were underway to trace the driver for the identified offences.
This process starts with a Notice of Intended Prosecution or nip issued to the vehicle’s registered keeper within 14 days. Receiving a nip is a formal warning that a prosecution may follow. The recipient then has 28 days to identify the driver. It is crucial to be truthful, as providing false information may constitute the offence of perverting the course of justice. Failing to comply with a nip is also an offence under Section 172 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, which carries six penalty points and a maximum fine of £1,000.
Information from Operation Snap for July to September 2024 shows the driver was dealt with for the offence R T 8 8 5 7 6: ‘Drive a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road or public place without reasonable consideration’. This falls under Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and applies when a driver’s actions inconvenience another road user.
This action is a direct violation of Highway Code Rule 160, which governs lane discipline. The rule states that you should always keep to the left, but critically, it advises drivers to ‘keep well to the left on right-hand bends.’ The code explains this improves your view of the road and helps avoid the risk of colliding with oncoming traffic—exactly the risk this driver created.
So, what was the outcome? Operation Snap data shows the driver was offered an educational course, which is designed to change driver attitudes and prevent reoffending. The driver had 28 days to book the course and 120 days from the offence date to complete it, while still retaining the option of a fixed penalty or having the matter heard in court.
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That’s all from this edition of West Yorkshire Cycling. We will be back with another episode soon; until then, stay safe.”
