Cyclists send record amount of video to police showing close passes by drivers
That is more than double the total of 7,249 in 2021.
Many cyclists capture footage of their journeys, with basic cameras available for under £50.
IAM RoadSmart sent a Freedom of Information request to 43 police forces asking how many pieces of footage showing a close pass of a cyclist by a motorist were submitted as part of Operation Snap, an initiative introduced in 2017.
Twenty forces provided data.
The responses show the percentage of reports leading to a notice of intended prosecution being served rose from 38% in 2021 to 54% last year.
A separate survey of 655 drivers who are members of IAM RoadSmart indicated that 58% are not aware the Highway Code recommends the minimum gap they should leave when passing cyclists is 1.5 metres (4.9ft).
Harriet Hernando, the charity's active travel spokeswoman, said: 'It is extremely concerning that more than half of motorists don't know how much space to give a cyclist when overtaking.
'Passing too closely to a cyclist can be intimidating and dangerous, especially if they need to move out to avoid a pothole.
'It is small wonder then that record numbers of cyclists are installing cameras and submitting footage of dangerous or careless drivers to the police.
'While it is heartening to see that prosecution rates have increased, it would be better if it didn't reach that stage and motorists weren't doing it in the first place.'
Provisional Department for Transport figures show 85 cyclists were killed on Britain's roads in 2024.
Between 2019 and 2023, most cyclist fatalities occurred in collisions involving a car.
IAM RoadSmart has launched a No More Close Calls campaign aimed at eradicating close passes.
Ms Hernando said: 'When overtaking a cyclist, always look beyond them to judge your ability to get past safely, leaving at least 1.5 metres of space when overtaking at speeds of up to 30mph and give them more space when overtaking at higher speeds.
'By hanging back two or three car lengths, you'll be able to see further up the road and look out for oncoming traffic.
'If it isn't safe to overtake then don't try and squeeze past – shaving seconds off your journey isn't worth taking someone's life.'
Duncan Dollimore, head of campaigns at Cycling UK, said it has 'not seen the big safety impact we'd hoped for' from changes to the Highway Code in 2022 providing more protection to cyclists.
He went on: 'The majority of people who drive simply aren't aware how much distance to give to people who cycle when overtaking.
'This is why it's crucial to educate all road users of their responsibility to protect those most vulnerable.'
He called on the Government to 'address this oversight by better promoting the new Highway Code'.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: 'We take road safety extremely seriously, and there are already strict penalties in place for those who put the safety of cyclists at risk.
'Our roads are among the safest in the world, but we are always looking to improve.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Highway Code rule can end in 3 penalty points and fine for letting ambulance pass
Drivers on UK roads are legally required to give way to emergency services, such as ambulances, fire engines and police cars, but they could be fined for making a certain mistake Emergency vehicles such as ambulances can sometimes need to reach their destinations as rapidly as possible. When motorists see blue lights flashing and hear sirens wailing, they understand they must swiftly move their cars out of the way. Every second is vital during an emergency, yet safety remains paramount. In a bid to keep emergency services moving as fast as possible, it's easy for drivers to suddenly panic, especially on narrow streets or roads packed with parked vehicles. Drivers may find it challenging to allow ambulances or fire engines through on congested roads. However, it is essential that motorists stay composed and ensure they can manoeuvre their vehicle safely. This not only reduces the chance of crashes, but improperly allowing an ambulance past could land you with a penalty of up to £1,000, reports Devon Live. The Highway Code tells drivers to give way to vehicles with flashing lights, including police cars, fire engines, ambulances and emergency doctors. However, if you breach the law whilst doing so, for instance by entering a yellow box junction or bus lane, or by driving through a red light, punishments can be harsh. You could face a fine, and some violations can also end with three penalty points added to your licence. The Highway Code states: "You should look and listen for ambulances, fire engines, police, doctors or other emergency vehicles using flashing blue, red or green lights and sirens, or flashing headlights, or traffic officer and incident support vehicles using flashing amber lights." It urges drivers to pull over before reaching a hill's summit, to never drive onto the pavement, ensure no one else is put at risk, and to steer clear of sudden braking. The Blue Light Aware website added: "Of course, there will be times when there simply is no room for an emergency service vehicle to get past, or perhaps its crew are activated by their control room to respond to an emergency while they are waiting with everyone else at the traffic lights. "On these occasions, they know that other motorists are not allowed to 'jump' the red light, and the emergency vehicle would ideally not activate its sirens and lights until it was safe for the vehicle in front to cross the solid white line at the junction. "On the (hopefully) rare occasions that a blue light vehicle, in 'emergency mode', is sitting behind another vehicle at a red traffic light. It's important to appreciate that it would be both very dangerous and illegal for the other vehicle to move across the solid white line."
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Shoppers told to check Blue Badges in Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons and Aldi car parks
A new survey from Disabled Motoring UK aims to tackle the ongoing misuse of disabled parking bays and Blue Badges that people face when parking at six major supermarket chains Supermarket shoppers are being encouraged to keep an eye out for misuse of Blue Badge parking bays. Disabled Motoring UK (DMUK) has launched a survey, urging Blue Badge holders and their companions to report any drivers they spot occupying these spaces without displaying a valid Blue Badge. The initiative is part of a campaign to combat the ongoing abuse of disabled parking bays and Blue Badges at six major supermarket chains, including Asda, Aldi, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Tesco and Lidl. The DMUK's Baywatch campaign invites Blue Badge holders to note the number of disabled bays in use at these supermarkets and how many of these are not showing a valid Blue Badge. It comes as a man claimed 'I work at Tesco and there's one thing I hate doing for customers'. As part of the initiative, Blue Badge holders are also asked to report whether supermarkets provide EV charging bays, if any of the disabled bays offer EV charging and if these bays are conveniently located near the supermarket. The data collection for the survey ran from July 21 to August 15, with the results set to be unveiled later this August. A previous survey conducted in 2024 revealed that nearly half (40%) of disabled drivers have had to abandon supermarket car parks due to a lack of available suitable spaces, while another 36% reported non-badge holders taking up accessible bays. Furthermore, DMUK's data indicated that an additional 40% of disabled individuals claim they cannot park at local supermarkets because they are inaccessible. Nearly three million Blue Badge holders exist across the UK, with demand for accessible parking spaces surging rapidly. England witnessed a 10% increase in Blue Badge holders last year alone, meaning there are now roughly 52 Blue Badge holders competing for every accessible parking space, reports the Express. Award-winning Disability Inclusion & Accessibility Specialist Dr Shani Dhanda explained: " Accessible parking bays aren't just a nice-to-have - they're a lifeline. Without them, so many disabled people are shut out of everyday life, whether that's getting to work, buying food, going to appointments, or just being part of their community. "When bays are misused or not properly enforced, it sends a really clear message that our access and independence aren't a priority. Baywatch matters because it's not just raising awareness - it's holding people to account and pushing for real change." That said, disabled parking permit holders are also required to comply with the Highway Code and local traffic regulations. Even where parking is technically allowed, Blue Badge holders must not park where it would cause an obstruction or danger to other road users or pedestrians. This includes blocking driveways, emergency access points, or parking on pavements unless specifically permitted.
Scottish Sun
17 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Letting your dog hang out of car window & other surprising risks that could cost drivers £1,000s in fines this summer
An unrestrained dog could move suddenly, interfere with the driver's control or cause the driver to lose focus DOGGY DANGERS Letting your dog hang out of car window & other surprising risks that could cost drivers £1,000s in fines this summer Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DRIVERS run the risk of breaking a host of little-known rules this summer - including one that could seriously punish dog owners. Motorists may be unknowingly risking fines in the thousands of pounds and serious penalty points every time they get behind the wheel. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 A host of simple mistakes could result in seriously hefty fines Credit: Getty 5 A team of experts have pointed our some summer-related habits that could be penalised Credit: Getty 5 Festival-goers will need to be wary of overloading their car and parking on muddy surfaces Credit: Getty 5 Dog owners must also be careful - they could be hit with fines up to £5,000 Credit: Getty 5 These rules come as Brits make summer plans - including festivals and road trips Credit: Getty According to Heritage Car Insurance, habits like wearing inappropriate sunglasses, overloading vehicles and driving while dehydrated could all be penalised. A major issue is related to unrestrained pets, something that many car owners do without knowing it breaks a serious rule. Experts say letting a dog lean out of the car window could lead to fines of up to £5,000 and 9 penalty points under Highway Code Rule 57, but only if a significant distraction contributes to an accident while driving. Indeed, a standard fine is £100 along with 3 penalty points. While it may seem harmless and even joyful, drivers are warned it could lead to serious consequences under UK law - as pets must be suitably restrained in vehicles to prevent distractions or interference with the driver's control. Their reasoning is that an unrestrained dog could move suddenly, interfere with the driver's control or cause the driver to lose focus. In the event of a collision or sudden stop, a dog could also be injured or cause further harm to passengers. What's more, police and even insurers may view this behaviour as negligent and it could lead to invalidated insurance claims. Dog owners are urged to secure their dog while allowing it some freedom of movement, maybe even by using a dog guard, while pet carriers may be used to provide a safe, enclosed space for smaller animals. Other potentially costly mistakes include wearing inappropriate sunglasses, specifically, Category 4 sunglasses which typically use very dark grey or brown lenses. While these are seen as ideal for mountainous or desert sunshine with high glare conditions, they're not suitable for driving and can obscure a driver's vision considerably. Shocking moment speeding van driver distracted by phone slams into broken-down car leaving victim with lifelong injuries Wearing the wrong sunglasses can lead to fines and penalty points, ranging from a £100 fine and 3 penalty points up to £5,000 and 9 points in serious cases, such as an accident being caused. Experts insist Category 2 or 3 sunglasses or polarised lenses, which reduce glare while maintaining visibility, should be used instead. Indeed, sun glare accidents are also a lesser-known problem for motorists and can be deemed as careless driving, resulting in fines up to £2,500 and 9 points. SUMMER FUN The UK summertime is, of course, festival season, and while many of the most well-known festivals, from Glastonbury, Parklife and Download, have already been and gone, a handful have yet to go ahead - including Reading and Leeds Festival. But those taking their cars to a festival need to be aware of parking in unsafe or unsuitable locations, such as muddy fields and how it could lead to insurance claims being refused. And overloading vehicles, including exceeding a vehicle's weight limit, can result in fines up to £2,500 or even dangerous driving charges - so maybe leave the extra-large tent at home. While enjoying the summer sun, it's important to stay hydrated - especially when you're behind the wheel. Driving while dehydrated has been found to double driving errors, increasing accident risks. Symptoms like slower reaction times, fatigue, and reduced focus can creep in, especially during long journeys in warm weather, and under UK laws can count as failing to maintain proper control of your vehicle. To stay safe, keep water within reach, take regular breaks and stay hydrated to maintain alertness and control behind the wheel - or risk fines of up to £2,500, penalty points or even a driving conviction
