Latest news with #OperationSnap
Auto Express
2 days ago
- Auto Express
Cyclists blame drivers as UK roads get more dangerous
The number of cyclists submitting footage of poor and sometimes even dangerous driving has sky-rocketed over the past few years, effectively doubling since 2021 – with more than half of those caught now being prosecuted. A Freedom of Information request by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart found that the number of instances of riders submitting video clips to the police of dangerous drivers rose from 7,249 in 2021 to 15,779 in 2024. The figure comes from 20 different police forces across the UK (43 were approached), with the footage collected as part of Operation Snap – an initiative designed to help process evidence of dangerous driving submitted by the public. Advertisement - Article continues below All 20 of the forces that submitted data reported instances of perilously close passes of cyclists by cars – up from 2021, when just 14 forces said they'd received evidence of this. The most common location for this type of manoeuvre was Avon and Somerset, with 3,500 people reporting instances to the police. Such a figure is not surprising when you consider that of 655 people surveyed by IAM RoadSmart, more than half (58 per cent) didn't know that drivers must give cyclists a minimum of 1.5 metres of space when overtaking them. While the number of submissions is rising, it's worth pointing out that the police are beginning to take action, with roughly one in two (54 per cent) of those caught in the act on camera being served a Notice of Intended Prosecution. Driving too close to a cyclist is categorised under Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as 'Careless Driving' and can leave you liable to receiving six penalty points and a fixed fine of £100. Going to court could increase the fine and the number of points issued even further. Spokesperson for IAM RoadSmart, Harriet Hernando, described the current situation as 'extremely concerning', reminding drivers that 'passing too closely to a cyclist can be intimidating and dangerous, especially if they need to move out to avoid a pothole'. Hernando added: 'While it is heartening to see that prosecution rates have increased, it would be better if it didn't reach that stage and motorists weren't doing it in the first place.' Did you know you can sell your car through Auto Express ? We'll help you get a great price and find a great deal on a new car, too .
South Wales Guardian
4 days ago
- Automotive
- South Wales Guardian
Cyclists send record amount of video to police showing close passes by drivers
Some 15,779 clips of incidents were submitted to forces in England and Wales last year, information obtained by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart found. That is more than double the total of 7,249 in 2021. Many cyclists capture footage of their journeys, with basic cameras available for under £50. IAM RoadSmart sent a Freedom of Information request to 43 police forces asking how many pieces of footage showing a close pass of a cyclist by a motorist were submitted as part of Operation Snap, an initiative introduced in 2017. Twenty forces provided data. The responses show the percentage of reports leading to a notice of intended prosecution being served rose from 38% in 2021 to 54% last year. A separate survey of 655 drivers who are members of IAM RoadSmart indicated that 58% are not aware the Highway Code recommends the minimum gap they should leave when passing cyclists is 1.5 metres (4.9ft). Harriet Hernando, the charity's active travel spokeswoman, said: 'It is extremely concerning that more than half of motorists don't know how much space to give a cyclist when overtaking. 'Passing too closely to a cyclist can be intimidating and dangerous, especially if they need to move out to avoid a pothole. 'It is small wonder then that record numbers of cyclists are installing cameras and submitting footage of dangerous or careless drivers to the police. 'While it is heartening to see that prosecution rates have increased, it would be better if it didn't reach that stage and motorists weren't doing it in the first place.' Provisional Department for Transport figures show 85 cyclists were killed on Britain's roads in 2024. Between 2019 and 2023, most cyclist fatalities occurred in collisions involving a car. IAM RoadSmart has launched a No More Close Calls campaign aimed at eradicating close passes. Ms Hernando said: 'When overtaking a cyclist, always look beyond them to judge your ability to get past safely, leaving at least 1.5 metres of space when overtaking at speeds of up to 30mph and give them more space when overtaking at higher speeds. 'By hanging back two or three car lengths, you'll be able to see further up the road and look out for oncoming traffic. 'If it isn't safe to overtake then don't try and squeeze past – shaving seconds off your journey isn't worth taking someone's life.' Duncan Dollimore, head of campaigns at Cycling UK, said it has 'not seen the big safety impact we'd hoped for' from changes to the Highway Code in 2022 providing more protection to cyclists. He went on: 'The majority of people who drive simply aren't aware how much distance to give to people who cycle when overtaking. 'This is why it's crucial to educate all road users of their responsibility to protect those most vulnerable.' He called on the Government to 'address this oversight by better promoting the new Highway Code'. A Department for Transport spokesperson said: 'We take road safety extremely seriously, and there are already strict penalties in place for those who put the safety of cyclists at risk. 'Our roads are among the safest in the world, but we are always looking to improve.'
North Wales Chronicle
4 days ago
- Automotive
- North Wales Chronicle
Cyclists send record amount of video to police showing close passes by drivers
Some 15,779 clips of incidents were submitted to forces in England and Wales last year, information obtained by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart found. That is more than double the total of 7,249 in 2021. Many cyclists capture footage of their journeys, with basic cameras available for under £50. IAM RoadSmart sent a Freedom of Information request to 43 police forces asking how many pieces of footage showing a close pass of a cyclist by a motorist were submitted as part of Operation Snap, an initiative introduced in 2017. Twenty forces provided data. The responses show the percentage of reports leading to a notice of intended prosecution being served rose from 38% in 2021 to 54% last year. A separate survey of 655 drivers who are members of IAM RoadSmart indicated that 58% are not aware the Highway Code recommends the minimum gap they should leave when passing cyclists is 1.5 metres (4.9ft). Harriet Hernando, the charity's active travel spokeswoman, said: 'It is extremely concerning that more than half of motorists don't know how much space to give a cyclist when overtaking. 'Passing too closely to a cyclist can be intimidating and dangerous, especially if they need to move out to avoid a pothole. 'It is small wonder then that record numbers of cyclists are installing cameras and submitting footage of dangerous or careless drivers to the police. 'While it is heartening to see that prosecution rates have increased, it would be better if it didn't reach that stage and motorists weren't doing it in the first place.' Provisional Department for Transport figures show 85 cyclists were killed on Britain's roads in 2024. Between 2019 and 2023, most cyclist fatalities occurred in collisions involving a car. IAM RoadSmart has launched a No More Close Calls campaign aimed at eradicating close passes. Ms Hernando said: 'When overtaking a cyclist, always look beyond them to judge your ability to get past safely, leaving at least 1.5 metres of space when overtaking at speeds of up to 30mph and give them more space when overtaking at higher speeds. 'By hanging back two or three car lengths, you'll be able to see further up the road and look out for oncoming traffic. 'If it isn't safe to overtake then don't try and squeeze past – shaving seconds off your journey isn't worth taking someone's life.' Duncan Dollimore, head of campaigns at Cycling UK, said it has 'not seen the big safety impact we'd hoped for' from changes to the Highway Code in 2022 providing more protection to cyclists. He went on: 'The majority of people who drive simply aren't aware how much distance to give to people who cycle when overtaking. 'This is why it's crucial to educate all road users of their responsibility to protect those most vulnerable.' He called on the Government to 'address this oversight by better promoting the new Highway Code'. A Department for Transport spokesperson said: 'We take road safety extremely seriously, and there are already strict penalties in place for those who put the safety of cyclists at risk. 'Our roads are among the safest in the world, but we are always looking to improve.'
Leader Live
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Leader Live
Cyclists send record amount of video to police showing close passes by drivers
Some 15,779 clips of incidents were submitted to forces in England and Wales last year, information obtained by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart found. That is more than double the total of 7,249 in 2021. Many cyclists capture footage of their journeys, with basic cameras available for under £50. IAM RoadSmart sent a Freedom of Information request to 43 police forces asking how many pieces of footage showing a close pass of a cyclist by a motorist were submitted as part of Operation Snap, an initiative introduced in 2017. Twenty forces provided data. The responses show the percentage of reports leading to a notice of intended prosecution being served rose from 38% in 2021 to 54% last year. A separate survey of 655 drivers who are members of IAM RoadSmart indicated that 58% are not aware the Highway Code recommends the minimum gap they should leave when passing cyclists is 1.5 metres (4.9ft). Harriet Hernando, the charity's active travel spokeswoman, said: 'It is extremely concerning that more than half of motorists don't know how much space to give a cyclist when overtaking. 'Passing too closely to a cyclist can be intimidating and dangerous, especially if they need to move out to avoid a pothole. 'It is small wonder then that record numbers of cyclists are installing cameras and submitting footage of dangerous or careless drivers to the police. 'While it is heartening to see that prosecution rates have increased, it would be better if it didn't reach that stage and motorists weren't doing it in the first place.' Provisional Department for Transport figures show 85 cyclists were killed on Britain's roads in 2024. Between 2019 and 2023, most cyclist fatalities occurred in collisions involving a car. IAM RoadSmart has launched a No More Close Calls campaign aimed at eradicating close passes. Ms Hernando said: 'When overtaking a cyclist, always look beyond them to judge your ability to get past safely, leaving at least 1.5 metres of space when overtaking at speeds of up to 30mph and give them more space when overtaking at higher speeds. 'By hanging back two or three car lengths, you'll be able to see further up the road and look out for oncoming traffic. 'If it isn't safe to overtake then don't try and squeeze past – shaving seconds off your journey isn't worth taking someone's life.' Duncan Dollimore, head of campaigns at Cycling UK, said it has 'not seen the big safety impact we'd hoped for' from changes to the Highway Code in 2022 providing more protection to cyclists. He went on: 'The majority of people who drive simply aren't aware how much distance to give to people who cycle when overtaking. 'This is why it's crucial to educate all road users of their responsibility to protect those most vulnerable.' He called on the Government to 'address this oversight by better promoting the new Highway Code'. A Department for Transport spokesperson said: 'We take road safety extremely seriously, and there are already strict penalties in place for those who put the safety of cyclists at risk. 'Our roads are among the safest in the world, but we are always looking to improve.'
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Glasgow Times
Cyclists send record amount of video to police showing close passes by drivers
Some 15,779 clips of incidents were submitted to forces in England and Wales last year, information obtained by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart found. That is more than double the total of 7,249 in 2021. Many cyclists capture footage of their journeys, with basic cameras available for under £50. IAM RoadSmart sent a Freedom of Information request to 43 police forces asking how many pieces of footage showing a close pass of a cyclist by a motorist were submitted as part of Operation Snap, an initiative introduced in 2017. Twenty forces provided data. The responses show the percentage of reports leading to a notice of intended prosecution being served rose from 38% in 2021 to 54% last year. A separate survey of 655 drivers who are members of IAM RoadSmart indicated that 58% are not aware the Highway Code recommends the minimum gap they should leave when passing cyclists is 1.5 metres (4.9ft). Harriet Hernando, the charity's active travel spokeswoman, said: 'It is extremely concerning that more than half of motorists don't know how much space to give a cyclist when overtaking. 'Passing too closely to a cyclist can be intimidating and dangerous, especially if they need to move out to avoid a pothole. 'It is small wonder then that record numbers of cyclists are installing cameras and submitting footage of dangerous or careless drivers to the police. 'While it is heartening to see that prosecution rates have increased, it would be better if it didn't reach that stage and motorists weren't doing it in the first place.' Provisional Department for Transport figures show 85 cyclists were killed on Britain's roads in 2024. Between 2019 and 2023, most cyclist fatalities occurred in collisions involving a car. The campaign is aimed at eradicating closes passes by motorists (Chris Radburn/PA) IAM RoadSmart has launched a No More Close Calls campaign aimed at eradicating close passes. Ms Hernando said: 'When overtaking a cyclist, always look beyond them to judge your ability to get past safely, leaving at least 1.5 metres of space when overtaking at speeds of up to 30mph and give them more space when overtaking at higher speeds. 'By hanging back two or three car lengths, you'll be able to see further up the road and look out for oncoming traffic. 'If it isn't safe to overtake then don't try and squeeze past – shaving seconds off your journey isn't worth taking someone's life.' Duncan Dollimore, head of campaigns at Cycling UK, said it has 'not seen the big safety impact we'd hoped for' from changes to the Highway Code in 2022 providing more protection to cyclists. He went on: 'The majority of people who drive simply aren't aware how much distance to give to people who cycle when overtaking. 'This is why it's crucial to educate all road users of their responsibility to protect those most vulnerable.' He called on the Government to 'address this oversight by better promoting the new Highway Code'. A Department for Transport spokesperson said: 'We take road safety extremely seriously, and there are already strict penalties in place for those who put the safety of cyclists at risk. 'Our roads are among the safest in the world, but we are always looking to improve.'
