Whether you’re a cyclist or a driver, we’ve all been in or seen situations where the two have come head to head and it doesn’t always end well. Stats from the Dept of Transport show that over a 5 year period from 2016 to 2021, an average of 2 cyclists per week died and 84 were injured – whilst fatalities did decrease by 17%, the number of reported serious injuries did increase (+27%), and the number of cyclists on the roads did also increase, by 62%.
With this in mind, actions are being taken by various police forces and bodies across the country to reduce the risk to cyclists (as well as horse riders) on our roads, by educating drivers and road users alike. In our home county of Northamptonshire, this is called Operation Close Pass and is being headed up by Northamptonshire Police and partners Northamptonshire Highways and the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.
Operation Close Pass
Introduced in August 2023, Operation Close Pass is all about promoting the county’s roads as a “shared space” for all users, not just drivers. This works to educate drivers on the distance they should leave when passing both a cyclist and a horse rider – motorcyclists are also covered as well. Officers patrol on bikes and work with nearby colleagues in cars to stop offending drivers and discuss the offending action that has led to the stop with them, as well as offering further roadside education on safe passing distance.
It’s not just drivers who will be stopped, however. The same applies to cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders who may pass by a car too closely or compromise the driver.
Penalties are an option, such as a fine or penalty points, and prosecution in severe cases.
Source: Northants Police – Operation Close Pass
Highway Code rules on passing vulnerable road users
The most recent edition of the UK Highway Code (2023) states that:
- Road users who fall under the “requires extra care” category are motorcyclists, cyclists, pedestrians (in particular children and older adults), disabled people and horse riders.
- Rule 204 states that those who have any interaction with individuals in this group can cause the greatest harm, therefore have the great responsibility to reduce this threat/risk by driving safely.
- Rules 206-225 cover individual groups and areas in which drivers must pay extra care and attention plus drive carefully and slowly. This includes around schools, residential areas, bus stops, tram stops, roadworks, by parked cars and narrow rural roads.
Source: Gov.uk – Highway Code – Road users requiring extra care (204 to 225)
