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Avon and Somerset close-pass operation to use cycling footage shot by off-duty officers

Close pass crackdown at key locations today

Avon and Somerset Police has announced that off duty police officers will carry cameras while out cycling and the footage could be used to prosecute. The force is also carrying out a close-pass crackdown today on two ‘hotspot roads’ which often see near-misses.

Operation Close Pass was developed by West Midlands Police as a means of reducing near misses and improving safety on the roads. 

Tri-Force Roads Policing (Avon and Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire) has now joined a number of other forces in adopting the tactic, which sees a plain-clothed police cyclist radio ahead to colleagues whenever they suffer a close pass.

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The Bristol Post reports that police will today be out looking for motorists who drive too close to cyclists on Filton Road in Bristol and Lower Bristol Road in Bath. Drivers will be offered road-side education on how to pass cyclists safely – including an indication as to how much space should be given when overtaking – as an alternative to prosecution.

Chief Inspector Kevan Rowlands, Head of Road Safety Avon and Somerset police said: “Since the beginning of 2017 we’ve received more than 240 reports of near misses, which suggests that people aren’t aware of how much space they should leave when overtaking, or perhaps choose to ignore this advice.

“Drivers should give cyclists at least the same amount of space as vehicles when overtaking, which is 1.5 metres or approximately a car door width. Anyone failing to leave enough space puts cyclists at risk and could be prosecuted for driving without due care and attention.”

Rowlands also said that some officers would be recording footage of cycle journeys, even when not on duty.

"As well as these set piece operations colleagues have volunteered to carry our cameras during their off duty recreational and commuting journeys on bikes. We will use the footage obtained to offer education to offending drivers or to prosecute where it is appropriate.

“I know cyclists behave badly too but that poor behaviour is less likely to result in death or serious injury than poor behaviour by the drivers of cars and other motor vehicles.”

Sergeant Warren Knight of Tri Force specialist operations added: "Our Tri Force roads policing unit is supporting and planning with Avon and Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Police to undertake the Close Pass cycling safety programme.  This project is also being supported by Cycling UK who are providing forces with equipment. Cycling on our roads needs to be safe and all road users need to work together to reduce instances of those being killed and seriously injured on our roads."

Cycling near-misses can also be reported through a specific form on the Avon and Somerset Police website, although the form does state that it is intended for data-gathering purposes and not intended for use in formal prosecutions.

Sam Jones, Cycling UK’s campaigns coordinator said:

“Cycling UK’s really pleased to see close pass operations being rolled out by forces across Wiltshire, Avon & Somerset and Gloucestershire, and using our education mat to do so. It shows that they are taking the threat of close passes, which are an almost daily occurrence for cyclists, seriously.

“We know overtaking that’s too close for comfort is usually done from a position of ignorance, rather than malicious intent, which is why we’re pleased that Tri Force Road Policing’s focus is education first, and enforcement second. These mats, are some of the first to be rolled out in the UK, and hopefully we’ll see a summer of safe cycling on all our roads as more forces take up similar operations.”

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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8 comments

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zero_trooper | 5 years ago
0 likes

'Rowlands also said that some officers would be recording footage of cycle journeys, even when not on duty.

"As well as these set piece operations colleagues have volunteered to carry our cameras during their off duty recreational and commuting journeys on bikes. We will use the footage obtained to offer education to offending drivers or to prosecute where it is appropriate.'

 

Oh, the insurance consequences......

"So you were off-duty, but video recording for police purposes, when you crashed into the car?" 

Avatar
Canyon48 | 6 years ago
1 like

The comments on the Bristol Post are... eye opening. The reporting on the Bristol Post is utter shite too, tend to read it at lunch at work for a few giggles and see what's going on in the local area.

If you really want a laugh, cycle through Bedminster (preferably in armour) and take in the charm locals.

Avatar
Jimmy Ray Will | 6 years ago
3 likes

But it's a start hey? Right now, as far as too great a minority believe, the right distance is any distance they see fit to give... Be that 10cm or 2m.

I personally don't think the majority of this minority act in malice, they simply haven't been told what is right.

This initiative starts to address this situation.

On topic, do other people find that the first car in a group of cars overtaking will dictate the room the remaining cars will give you when overtaking?

Many times I've seen it work both ways... the first car gives loads of room, the rest follow... conversely, the first car cuts past close, and you are then subjected to a series of close passes one after the other.

This to me confirms that it's just a lack of basic education.

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BehindTheBikesheds | 6 years ago
0 likes

I'm still not comfortable with the set distances. 1m as I overtake you (it's not passing) doing 10mph when I'm doing 15-20mph in my car is not an offence of careless driving/driving without undue care.

Also a car doors width is not even remotely close to 1.5m, my passat front door is 108cm in total width when closed, when opened fully it is approx 95cm from the body of the vehicle.

look at what happens when an HGV doing almost 60mph on a single lane carriageway (or even dual) and overtakes you at 1.5m, it's a pretty arse clenching experience most of the time especially when they then cut in sharply on you and you get the full air turbulence at the same time.

yet according to this it's perfectly fine when in fact it totally fucking isn't.

Of course I want safer driving/overtaking (it isn't 'passing') but using a set distance is bollocks, on top of that to be effective it would mean all vehicles to have a distance measuring device otherwise as we know from other countries the 'law' is meaningless as it's rarely if ever enforced by police even when video evidence is provided of ridiculously close interactions/overtakes.

Avatar
StraelGuy | 6 years ago
2 likes

Huzzah!!!

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hawkinspeter | 6 years ago
3 likes

Excellent news. Let's hope that the drivers learn from this.

By the way, do NOT read comments on the BristolPost website. Toxic.

Avatar
brooksby replied to hawkinspeter | 6 years ago
0 likes

hawkinspeter wrote:

Excellent news. Let's hope that the drivers learn from this.

By the way, do NOT read comments on the BristolPost website. Toxic.

I just did: nothing more awful than the comments about how the police should be checking for "real crime" and how they need to sort out RLJing papvement cyclists before they start harassing the hard-pressed motorist.  I think the Bristol Post commenters are slipping, actually...

Avatar
cdean replied to brooksby | 6 years ago
2 likes

brooksby wrote:

hawkinspeter wrote:

Excellent news. Let's hope that the drivers learn from this.

By the way, do NOT read comments on the BristolPost website. Toxic.

I just did: nothing more awful than the comments about how the police should be checking for "real crime" and how they need to sort out RLJing papvement cyclists before they start harassing the hard-pressed motorist.  I think the Bristol Post commenters are slipping, actually...

I just did and it was worth it for this gem from 1teaminBr1z:

1teaminBr1z wrote:

What about cars doing Dukes of Hazard Yeehaaa Jumps over bridges

What about lorries doing wheelies?

What about monster trucks

 

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