Motorists face prosecution for driving too close to cyclists

Drivers who give cyclists less than a metre and a half of room as they overtake will face prosecution.

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'Close passes' causing chaos
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Motorists who endanger cyclists by getting too close to them will be prosecuted for driving without due care and attention under a new scheme.

West Midlands Police have begun proceedings against 38 motorists for what is known as close passing - giving cyclists less than a metre-and-a-half of room.

Police officers on bikes equipped with cameras are patrolling busy roads and radioing ahead to patrol cars when they film bad driving, with most offenders being given roadside advice.

Constantine Mamole was badly injured when he was knocked off his bike in 2014
Image: Constantine Mamole was badly injured when he was knocked off his bike in 2014

Traffic officer and cyclist PC Mark Hodson said: "As a police force we must do our utmost to protect vulnerable road users and show that anyone who puts them in danger through poor driving will be dealt with.

"Cyclists may suddenly need to avoid uneven road surfaces or obstacles like drain covers so it's important to afford them plenty of room when overtaking."

More than 21,000 cyclists were injured on Britain's roads in 2014, with 113 killed. 

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Police target 'near miss' car drivers

Champion triathlete Constantine Mamole was badly injured when he was knocked off his bike by a car two years ago.

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Now back at work at his Kings Of Cycling shop in Leeds he has made a full physical recovery, but says he is too anxious to train on the road and has not raced since.

"It affects your professional life, your personal life, you become a different person," he said.

"It has a massive impact on any cyclist."