A total of 34 vehicles were stopped by officers conducting Operation Close Pass in Trowbridge yesterday.
The operation, which took part during the national Road Safety Week hosted by the charity Brake, was held to target motorists who do not leave sufficient space whilst overtaking cyclists. The initiative was originally launched by West Midlands Police and has since been held successfully across the country.
During the operation, a specially equipped pedal cycle with cameras both front and back was ridden along Hilperton Road in Trowbridge. Anyone deemed to have passed too close to the cyclist was subsequently stopped by uniformed officers and given a short lesson on sharing the road space safely.
Alongside education, officers also looked at both driver and vehicle legality, vehicle condition and the eyesight standard of those drivers stopped.
Officers from both the Tri-Force Roads Policing Unit and Road Safety Unit were supported by a number of staff from the Swindon and Wiltshire Road Safety Partnership. The latter, which included members of Dorset and Wiltshire Fire, Wiltshire Council and Swindon Council delivered the educational aspect of the operation.
Whilst the majority of drivers were stopped as a result of a Close Pass, a number of minor matters in connection with both vehicle condition and documentation were also dealt with. All drivers were also eye sight tested to DVLA standard.
Sergeant Simon Drewett said: “The operation was primarily about education, and bringing the vulnerability of other road users to the attention of fellow motorists. It was however disappointing to find that a small number of those stopped were already clearly aware of the safe passing distance, even though they hadn’t given our cyclist enough room in this instance”.
“In general however our message does appear to be getting across – a fact echoed by several of our cyclists who stated that drivers were, in the main, passing with a wide berth.”
At 30mph, drivers should allow at least 1.5m of clear space between their vehicle and a cyclist when overtaking. This distance only increases with speed.
Ian Hopkins, the Swindon and Wiltshire Road Safety Partnership Lead and Road Safety Officer for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service said: “The partnership aim make the roads safer for everyone. Every time someone gets on a bicycle it’s one less car on the roads and helps to reduce congestion. This campaign is about supporting cyclists and encouraging the use of a more sustainable mode of transport.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson said: “We all need to share our roads and country lanes safely.
“Drivers of buses, cars, vans and lorries must give cyclists a wide berth because going too close can end in death or very serious injury, and we have had some terrible tragedies on our roads.
“It was so good to see Wiltshire Police and partner agencies from across Swindon and Wiltshire working so well together to educate road users.
“Our cyclists did report that a large number of drivers did the right thing and gave them plenty of space when passing, but a minority did not and had to be pulled over.”
Wiltshire Council cabinet member for Highways, Bridget Wayman, said: “As the number of those travelling on two-wheels increases, it is more important than ever that we take extra care on the roads.
“Whether you’re cycling or driving, there are things we can all do ensure the safety of others and I would encourage everyone to find out how they can be Bike Smart.”
The theme for this year’s Road Safety Week is how to be bike smart. All week, we are supporting the campaign on social media with tips on how we can all share the road space safely. Join in the conversation using #BikeSmart
