A DRIVER was caught dangerously overtaking cyclists on a busy city road by police officers on bikes.

Police officers joined St John's Cycling Club on the city's roads as part of Operation Close Pass.

A driver was caught by the officers on bikes equipped with cameras not giving the cyclists enough room on the A38 Droitwich Road on Sunday morning (November 21).

Officers will be reporting the offending driver for the offence.

PC Paul Slaymaker, Safer Neighbourhood Team – St Johns and Bedwardine, said: "The purpose of the operation is to help promote cycle safety in the city and surrounding roads.

"We use cameras attached to the bike to record any offences and then can use the footage as evidence to prosecute if it warrants, or advise and educate through a written warning if we feel it is more appropriate."

Operation Close Pass is designed to target motorists who ignore the Highway Code rules when overtaking cyclists.

Motorists who do not leave enough space when overtaking will be recorded and the offence dealt with.

Drivers can be prosecuted for careless driving with 3 points on their licence and a £100 fine.

Currently the Highway Code states that drivers should allow vulnerable road users as much room as they would a car when overtaking and this campaign advises a safe overtaking distance of 1.5m.

Worcester News:

With the Highway Code due to be updated this year proposed overtaking rules may be implemented that mean drivers should leave a 1.5-metre space if driving under 30mph but at least two metres if driving over 30mph.

Larger vehicles are required to give two metres at all times.

Since 2017, 12 cyclists have been killed and 185 injured in collisions across West Mercia with the force saying many could have been avoided if road users shared the road more responsibly.