A MAN has been sentenced for driving without due care and attention after being caught on camera passing a cyclist too close.
David Sedgwick, of Layamon Walk, Stourport-on-Severn, initially denied the charge and had been set to face a trial.
But, after changing his plea on the day of his trial and admitting the offence, the 65-year-old was sentenced at Worcester Magistrates Court on January 11.
Sedgwick overtook a cyclist in a dangerous manoeuvre with a lorry approaching on the other side of the road.
The offence took place on February 14 last year on the A443 Hallow Road - Sedgwick driving a Renault Kadjar at the time.
The cyclist Sedgwick cut up filmed the incident and passed the footage to police, who used it to secure the defendant's conviction.
Sedgewick was fined £198 and given three penalty points added to his licence.
The defendant was also ordered to pay £660 costs and £79 victim surcharge.
💕This driver wasn't feeling the love last valentines day!
— Road Safety West Mercia (@WMerciaRoads) January 18, 2024
He pleaded guilty at Worcester Magistrates Court on 11/1/24 to driving without due care and attention on 14/2/23 resulting in 3 points, £198 fine & £739 costs.
Captured & reported via Op Snap pic.twitter.com/Zg2Ytqkyvo
Sedgwick was told to pay the total of £937 in full by February 8.
On a social media post Road Safety West Mercia said of the case: "This driver wasn't feeling the love last Valentine's Day."
How much room should you give when overtaking
The Highway Code tells drivers to give motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders and horse drawn vehicles at least as much room as they would when overtaking a car.
As a guide, it suggests leaving at least 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists at speeds of up to 30mph, and give them more space when overtaking at higher speeds
The Highway Code also says drivers should pass horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles at speeds under 10mph and allow at least 2 metres of space.
Drivers should allow at least two metres of space and keep to a low speed when passing a pedestrian who is walking in the road, for example, where there is no pavement.
The Highway Code tells drivers to take extra care and give more space when overtaking motorcyclists, cyclists, horse riders, horse-drawn vehicles and pedestrians in bad weather including high winds and at night.
Drivers should wait behind the motorcyclist, cyclist, horse rider, horse-drawn vehicle or pedestrian and not overtake if it is unsafe or not possible to meet these clearances, The Highway code said.
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