New rule states that drivers must leave a minimum distance between their vehicle and a cyclist when overtaking
Earlier in the year, a new law was introduced in the UK to protect cyclists who use the roads alongside other vehicles.
The new rule states that drivers must keep a minimum distance between their vehicle and a cyclist when overtaking or driving alongside a bicycle.
If a driver is thought to be travelling too close to a bicycle they could face a punishment – a £100 fine and three points on their licence.
The driver of a car must now leave a recommended distance of 1.5 metres between their vehicle and the cyclist. If you’re caught under the recommended distance you could be handed out punishments.
New rule states that drivers must leave a minimum distance between their vehicle and a cyclist when overtaking or face a fine. © Copyright J.Hannan-Briggs and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
In the Highway Code it states that drivers should provide cyclists with “plenty of room” when overtaking and according to Rule 163, drivers are also advised to “give motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car.”
The new law was introduced after it was revealed by the DfT that 448 pedestrians and 102 cyclists were killed in 2016 on Britain’s roads, as well as 8,537 serious injuries in the same year.
‘Car dooming’ is something that cyclists are also at risk of. This is when the driver or passenger in a vehicle opens their door without looking back and could lead to a cyclist being thrown off their bike.
The ‘Dutch Reach’ used in Holland is a method which allows for the safe opening of vehicle doors, where the driver or passenger is forced to turn their body to check for cyclists by simply using the hand furthest away from the door to open it. This method promotes safer roads for cyclists and encourages drivers to be more aware of what’s going on around them.
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