Drivers are being targeted in a major police operation tackling Highway Code offences in a bid to save lives. South Yorkshire Police has begun targeting cases of dangerous driving in the region.
Operation in Doncaster
Police in Doncaster have targeted dangerous drivers putting motorcyclists and those on two wheels at risk. During the two-day operation held on Monday and Tuesday (1 and 2 June), neighbourhood officers in plain clothes took to two wheels on bicycles around Doncaster, alongside roads policing officers on motorcycles.
Highway Code Rules
The Highway Code states that motorists should give motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders as much room as they would when overtaking a car, a minimum of 1.5 metres at up to 30mph. For speeds over 30mph, a distance of two metres must be given.
Results of the Operation
During the two days, 28 drivers received Traffic Offence Reports (TOR) for various offences. Of those 28, 14 were given their TOR for due care, passing cyclists too close and turning into junctions without giving way.
Sergeant Brandon Brown said: “Drivers must understand that passing those on two wheels safely isn’t optional, it’s the law and a shared responsibility that protects lives. While our focus was on drivers, cyclists and motorcyclists also have a shared responsibility for increasing their safety, thinking about their positioning on the road, increasing visibility and wearing protective equipment.”
Rule 163 of the Highway Code
Rule 163 of the Highway Code specifically instructs drivers to leave cyclists the same amount of space they would provide to a motor vehicle. The South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership says drivers should wait behind cyclists if they cannot safely leave the recommended distance, rather than attempting to squeeze through a gap that is too small.
Offences Recorded
Offences included driving without due care and attention (such as unsafe overtaking and failing to give way at junctions), using mobile phones while driving, and not wearing seatbelts.
