10 drivers receive training following successful roads policing operation

21st November 2024

Motorists have been given road safety advice after dangerously overtaking an undercover police cyclist.

Ten drivers were pulled up during an operation in Leeds and were reminded to leave a gap of at least 1.5m between their vehicles and bikes when passing.

They were shown a specially designed floor mat displaying the safe passing distance and received guidance from the police and Leeds City Council’s Road Safety Team.

The “close pass” operation was arranged by Leeds City Council and West Yorkshire Police in support of Vision Zero, the county wide aim to reduce all road deaths and serious injuries to zero by 2040.

In 2023, 4 cyclists died on the roads of West Yorkshire with a further 164 seriously injured. 

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport, and sustainable development, said:  

“Leeds City Council adopted Vision Zero in September 2022 with an ambition that by 2040 there’ll be zero road deaths and serious injuries in Leeds.

“It's disappointing to see that some drivers are still not leaving safe passing distances when overtaking cyclists as they share the biggest responsibility to keep more vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists safe. Inconsiderate behaviour puts cyclists' lives at risk and undermines our West Yorkshire shared goal of creating safer roads for everyone.

“It's essential that all road users, including drivers, respect the rules of the road and prioritise safety. By working together, we can make a real difference and ensure that West Yorkshire's roads are safe for everyone.”

Sergeant Andrew Sutcliffe from the Leeds East Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “The idea is to educate motorists on how to safely pass cyclists on our roads in the hope it will make our roads safer.

“All road users have the right to travel safely on West Yorkshire’s roads and cyclists are one of the most at risk groups, so it’s important that motorists give them enough space to prevent a collision or worse.  

“Our aim is to educate drivers to give cyclists time, give them space and try and to pre-empt what they are going to do next. If you’re a motorist and you were passing another car, you’d give them enough space. The same applies to cyclists.”  

Alison Lowe OBE, Chair of the West Yorkshire Vision Zero Board and Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, said: “168 cyclists never reached their destination last year.

“That’s a heartbreaking figure, and we don’t want anyone else to suffer these tragedies.

“Ultimately, everyone has a responsibility to keep people safe on our roads, and Vision Zero can only work if everyone does their bit.”

Drivers are being urged to ensure that they are up to date with the Highway Code, particularly safe passing distances, the hierarchy of road users and priorities at junctions, all of which were updated in 2022.

More close pass operations are being planned and will take place across West Yorkshire.