In today’s episode, we take a look at another close pass on the A641 Huddersfield Road in Low Moor. The incident occurred on Sunday, 22nd September 2024 and involved a silver Mercedes A160.
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.
The silver car overtakes the cyclist without leaving the 1.5 metres required under Rule 163.
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, 24th September 2024, confirming that enquiries were underway to trace the driver so they could be processed for the offence or offences identified in the footage. Possible outcomes include 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 provide the driver’s name and address.
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.
Information from Operation Snap for July to September 2024 confirms that the driver was dealt with for offence RT88576: driving 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 and applies when a driver’s 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.
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 must wait 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’s all from West Yorkshire Cycling for this edition. We’ll be back with another episode soon. Until then, take care on the roads.
