In this episode, we’re analysing a close pass incident which occurred on Sunday, 11th August 2024, on the A646 Halifax Road in Charlestown. The vehicle involved was a red Ford Tourneo.
The map shows the location of the incident and the cyclist’s direction of travel. Let’s take a closer look at the illegal overtake on solid white lines and the subsequent close pass.
The footage was uploaded to the West Yorkshire Police Safer Roads Media Submission Portal on the same day, and an email with a unique reference number was received confirming the submission. Police responded on Wednesday, 14th August 2024, to inform us that enquiries were underway to trace the driver so they could be dealt with for the identified offences.
This process starts with police issuing a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) to the registered keeper of the vehicle within 14 days of the offence. The NIP is a formal warning that a prosecution may follow. The recipient then has 28 days to provide the name and address of the person driving at the time. Providing false information may constitute perverting the course of justice, and failing to comply with the NIP is an offence under Section 172 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, which carries six penalty points and a maximum £1,000 fine.
Results published by Operation Snap for the period July to September 2024 show the driver was dealt with for the offence RT88576: ‘Drive a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road or public place without reasonable consideration’. This falls under Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and applies when someone is inconvenienced by the manner of driving.
This dangerous manoeuvre is a clear violation of two separate Highway Code rules.
First, Rule 129, which covers double white lines. It states that where the line nearer to you is solid, you MUST NOT cross or straddle it. The only exception for overtaking a cyclist is if they are travelling at 10 mph (16 km/h) or less, and the road ahead is clear.
Second, Rule 163, which deals with safe overtaking. It requires drivers to give cyclists at least as much room as a car, providing a guide of at least 1.5 metres at speeds up to 30 mph. If this clearance isn’t possible, the driver must wait.
Operation Snap data shows the driver was offered an Educational Course. These courses are aimed at changing driver attitudes to prevent reoffending, and a driver can only attend one in a three-year period. The driver had 28 days to book the course and 120 days from the date of the offence to complete it, while still having the option of a fixed penalty or having the matter heard in court.
If you found this video informative, please press the like icon on our webpage and use the buttons to share this content with your friends and followers on social media.
That’s all from this edition of West Yorkshire Cycling. Until next time, take care while out cycling.
