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Undercover police target drivers overtaking cyclists too close

  • Sep 19, 2016
  • EmmaArnold

New cycle safety campaign sees undercover 'plain clothes' police pull over drivers that pass too close.

West Midlands Police offer drivers who leave less than 1.5m two options; either prosecution or education on how to overtake a cyclist safely.

The initiative, in partnership with Birmingham City Council, will see repeat offenders simply being prosecuted.

A police officer cycles on a road with a colleague in a police car waiting just yards up the road to pull over drivers who don't leave the required amount of room.

Hugh Potter, head of personal injury at PotterReesDolan, said:

Police evidence is that 98% collisions involving cyclists are down to the driver of the vehicle. Too often it’s a case of “sorry mate I didn’t see you." Birmingham police are doing something about it. Come on Greater Manchester Police! How about it?

The Highway Code states cyclists should be given the same amount of room as passing a car but over a four day trial of the scheme the police pulled over 80 drivers.

In the future, West Midlands Police will target close passes periodically the same way as drink driving.

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