Today on West Yorkshire Cycling, we’re looking at an close pass on Greenside Field in Mirfield. The incident happened on Friday, 27th December 2024 and involved a beige Citroen C4 Grand Picaso.
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.
In this instance, the cyclist was moving out into the road to safely negotiate a parked vehicle ahead. As they made this necessary manoeuvre, the driver of the silver Citroën C4 passed too close, failing to anticipate the cyclist’s change in road position or provide the required clearance.
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, 31st December 2024, informing the complainant 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.
Rule 163 of the Highway Code requires drivers to overtake only when it is safe and legal, and to give cyclists at least the same space as a car.
The guidance specifies a minimum of 1.5 metres at speeds up to 30 mph, with more room needed at higher speeds and in poor weather. If this space cannot be given safely, drivers must wait behind the cyclist.
Operation Snap indicates the driver was offered an educational course. These courses, which can only be taken once every three years, are intended to improve driving attitudes and prevent repeat offences.
The driver had 28 days to book and pay, and 120 days from the offence date to complete the course. The police can withdraw the offer at any time before completion. Instead of accepting a Fixed Penalty or going to court, the driver chose to take the course.
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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.
