You’re watching West Yorkshire Cycling. Today’s report focuses on a close pass on Shetcliffe Lane in Bierley. The incident took place on Friday, 27th September 2024 and involved a black Range Rover.
The map shows the location of the incident and the direction the cyclist was travelling.
Let’s take another look at the incident in slow motion.
While climbing Shetcliffe Lane, the cyclist was overtaken by a black Range Rover travelling at speed and leaving insufficient room. With no oncoming traffic, the driver had ample space to move into the opposite lane but chose not to.
The footage was submitted the same day via the Safer Roads Media Submission Portal operated by West Yorkshire Police, and an email acknowledgement was issued with a unique reference number.
On Monday, 30th September 2024, West Yorkshire Police provided a further update confirming that enquiries had begun to identify the driver. Once identified, the driver would be processed for the relevant offence or offences, with potential outcomes including an educational course, a Conditional Offer of Fixed Penalty, or a court hearing.
The process begins with issuing a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) to the vehicle’s registered keeper within 14 days of the offence. Receiving a NIP does not mean prosecution is automatic; it is a formal warning that one may follow. The recipient then has 28 days to identify the driver.
It’s critical to be truthful. Providing false details may constitute perverting the course of justice and may result in a substantial fine or imprisonment. Failing to comply with the NIP is also an offence and carries six penalty points and a maximum £1,000 fine.
Operation Snap data for July to September 2024 indicates that the driver was dealt with for offence RT88576: driving a mechanically propelled vehicle without reasonable consideration. This offence is defined under Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, where a driver is considered at fault if their behaviour 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.
The guidance recommends leaving at least 1.5 metres at speeds up to 30 mph, increasing this distance at higher speeds and in adverse weather. If these clearances cannot be achieved safely, drivers must remain behind the cyclist.
Operation Snap records show the driver was offered an educational course. These courses, which can only be taken once in any three years, are designed to change behaviour and reduce the likelihood of reoffending.
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 before completion. 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 concludes this edition of West Yorkshire Cycling. We’ll return with another episode shortly. Until then, stay safe on the roads.
