In this edition of West Yorkshire Cycling, we review a close pass on the A641 Huddersfield Road in Low Moor. The incident occurred on Sunday, 22nd September 2024 and involved a white Suzuki Celerio.
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 white car overtakes the cyclist without giving the 1.5 metres of space required under the Highway Code.
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 Tuesday, 24th 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.
Information from Operation Snap for July to September 2024 confirms that the driver was dealt with for offence RT88576: driving a mechanically propelled vehicle without reasonable consideration. This offence falls under Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and applies when a driver’s actions inconvenience another road user.
Under Rule 163 of the Highway Code, overtaking is permitted only when it is safe and lawful, and drivers must give cyclists at least the same clearance they would give 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 indicates the driver was offered an educational course. These courses, which can only be taken once in any three years, are intended to improve driving attitudes and reduce the likelihood of further offences.
The driver had 28 days to book and pay, and 120 days from the date of the offence 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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