In this edition of West Yorkshire Cycling, we review an extreme close pass on the A644 Denholme Gate Road in Hipperholme. The incident occurred on Tuesday, 29th October 2024 and involved a white Man TGE 3.
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 Friday, 1st 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 process starts with a Notice of Intended Prosecution, or NIP, being sent to the registered keeper within 14 days of the offence. A NIP doesn’t mean prosecution is guaranteed; it simply warns that one may follow. The keeper then has 28 days to provide the name and address of the driver.
It’s essential to give accurate information. Supplying false details can amount to perverting the course of justice, an offence that carries the risk of a prison sentence or a substantial fine. Ignoring the NIP is also an offence and can lead to 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 is covered by Rule 163 of the Highway Code, which states that overtaking should only be carried out when it is safe and legal to do so. Drivers should give cyclists at least as much room as they would when overtaking a car.
As a guide, at least 1.5 metres should be left when overtaking cyclists at speeds up to 30 mph, with greater clearance required at higher speeds. The rule also makes clear that extra care and additional space are needed in bad weather. If these clearances cannot be met safely, drivers should wait behind the cyclist and not overtake.
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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That’s all from West Yorkshire Cycling for this edition. We’ll be back with another episode soon. Until then, take care on the roads.
