In today’s episode we take a close look at an extreme close pass on Bierley Lane, approaching a mini roundabout. The incident happened on Sunday the 22nd of September 2024 and involved a grey Toyota C‑HR.
The map shows the location of the incident and the direction the cyclist was travelling.
Let’s take another look at that close pass.
The footage was uploaded to West Yorkshire Police the same day via the Safer Roads Media Submission Portal. A confirmation email was received with a unique reference number.
On Tuesday the 24th of September, police confirmed that enquiries were underway to trace the driver so they could be processed for the offences identified in the footage.
This process begins with a Notice of Intended Prosecution, or NIP, issued to the registered keeper within fourteen days of the offence. A NIP is not a conviction — it is a formal warning that prosecution may follow. The keeper then has twenty‑eight days to provide the name and address of the driver. Supplying false details, if you were in fact the driver, may constitute perverting the course of justice, which can carry a prison sentence or a substantial fine.
Failure to comply with the NIP is itself an offence under Section 172 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. On conviction, this carries six penalty points and a fine of up to one thousand pounds.
Operation Snap data for July to September 2024 shows this driver was dealt with for offence code RT88576 — driving a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road or public place without reasonable consideration, under Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act. A person is considered to have driven without reasonable consideration if another road user is inconvenienced by their driving.
The Highway Code makes this clear. Rule 163 states that you should only overtake when it is safe and legal. As a guide, leave at least one and a half metres when overtaking cyclists at speeds up to thirty miles per hour, and give more space at higher speeds. If you cannot meet these clearances, you should wait.
Rule 170 states that you must not overtake cyclists approaching or at a junction, and you must not pull up alongside them if you intend to turn left. Stay behind and allow them to clear the junction safely.
So what penalty was given to the driver? Operation Snap data shows they were offered an educational course. These courses are designed to change attitudes and prevent reoffending. Drivers have twenty‑eight days from the date of the document to book and pay, and one hundred and twenty days from the date of the offence to attend and complete the course. The police retain the right to withdraw the offer at any time until the course is completed.
There is still the option of accepting a conditional fixed penalty or having the matter heard in court. In this case, the driver chose to pay and take the course.
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That’s all from West Yorkshire Cycling. Until next time, ride safe and stay alert.
