In this edition of West Yorkshire Cycling, we look at a driver who takes a right‑hand bend (Merrydale Road) at speed in wet conditions, cuts across the corner, and crosses into the middle lane (on-coming right-turn lane) where a cyclist is riding to turn onto the National Cycle Network Route 66 (Wharfedale Road).
The incident took place on Saturday, 2nd November 2024 and involved a red Volkswagen Polo.
The map shows the location of the incident along with the direction the cyclist was travelling.
Let’s take another look at this incident, but in slow motion.
The footage was uploaded to West Yorkshire Police via the Safer Roads Media Submission Portal on the same day.
West Yorkshire Police replied by email on Tuesday, 5th November 2024, informing us that enquiries were underway to trace the driver involved so that they could be processed for the offence or offences identified in the footage. This may be by way of an educational course, a Conditional Offer of Fixed Penalty, or a court hearing.
The first step is issuing a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP), which must be sent to the registered keeper within 14 days. A NIP is a formal notice, not a conviction, and the keeper has 28 days to provide the driver’s details.
Providing false information risks a charge of perverting the course of justice, which can lead to imprisonment or a heavy fine. Failing to respond to the NIP is itself an offence, punishable by six penalty points and a fine of up to £1,000.
Information from Operation Snap for the period October to December 2024 confirms that the driver was dealt with for offence RT88576: Drive a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road or public place without reasonable consideration. This offence falls under Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. A person is considered to have driven without reasonable consideration if their driving inconveniences another road user.
This action is a direct violation of Highway Code Rule 160, which covers lane discipline. The rule states that drivers should always keep to the left and, importantly, ‘keep well to the left on right‑hand bends.’ This is to improve visibility and prevent collisions with oncoming traffic — exactly the risk this driver created by cutting across the bend into the cyclist’s lane.
So, how was the driver dealt with? Operation Snap records show the driver was offered an educational course. A course can only be taken once in any three‑year period, and these courses are designed to change behaviour and reduce the likelihood of re‑offending.
The driver had 28 days to book and pay for the course, and 120 days from the date of the offence to complete it. The police may withdraw the offer at any point until the course is finished. Although the driver could have chosen a Conditional Offer of Fixed Penalty or a court hearing, they elected to complete the course at their own expense.
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This brings us to the end of this edition of West Yorkshire Cycling. We’ll be back with another episode soon. In the meantime, please take care while out on the roads.
