Motorist coughs up £1887 for driving “too close” to a cyclist
As a result of the Highway Code updated rules back in January to boost protection for cyclists a car driver in Wales overtaking a cyclist too closely has led to a £1,880 fine and four penalty points.
The incident was recorded on the cyclists Go-Pro on the B4280 country road near Bridgend in Wales with the driver a 77-year-old man driving his white Audi Q7 in Wales.
The footage, which showed the pensioner driving “too close” to the cyclist, was sent to GoSafe, Wales’s roads policing team designed to reduce road casualties and save lives.
GoSafe receives submissions through the Operation Snap portal and it was they in consultation with interested parties who developed Operation Close Pass which was included in The Highway Code that came into force on January 29. That change requires motorists to give cyclists 1.5 metres of space (nearly 5 feet)
What does the Highway Code say:
Up to 30mph, drivers must leave at least 1.5 metres (5 feet) room when overtaking people cycling and give them more space when overtaking at higher speeds.
In this instance the driver had refused to pay the fixed penalty notice or attend a driving course and was thereafter prosecuted at Cardiff Magistrates Court for driving without due care and attention and given four penalty points, and ordered to pay £1,887 in a fine and costs.
The motorist has criticised the court’s ruling and thought the fine “absolutely appalling” saying “It doesn’t make sense to me” and insists that he was “at least 4ft away”. The pensioner says the actual total cost of this case which include his solicitor fees is approx £4,500
Operation Snap says “This outcome shows that these submissions are taken seriously and given the appropriate amount of attention, as we continue to work towards ensuring that our roads are safer for everyone.”
The Operation Snap portal is expected to lead to an increase in the numbers of fines for motorists who drive dangerously near cyclists, particularly after the Highway Code updated rules.
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