HAMPSHIRE County Council and Hampshire Constabulary are among the organisations that are seeking to improve cycle safety with the ‘Give Space, Be Safe’ scheme.

Hampshire Constabulary, The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Portsmouth City Council, Hampshire County Council and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service have joined forces to launch the scheme this week (3–7 April).

The intelligence-led operation was first introduced by West Midlands Police (WMP) and has national acclaim for best practise as a cycle safety campaign. It aims to target drivers who fail to follow the Highway Code rules on passing distances when overtaking cyclists.

Cyclists are one of the most vulnerable road users, and there has been an increase to the number of injuries suffered by cyclists on the road.

In the Hampshire and Isle of Wight region, 21 per cent of cyclists are killed or seriously injured during the hours of 7am-9am and 4pm-7pm on weekdays. 75 per cent are killed or seriously injured on 30mph roads, and 81 per cent of those killed or seriously injured are male.

Inspector Darren Ord, from the Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit, said: “We frequently receive complaints about drivers who don’t give cyclists enough space when overtaking.

“We’re pleased that we are now in the position to be implementing it [the scheme] across the Hampshire and Thames Valley area and begin to see it making a difference to cyclist safety.”

A plain clothed police officer on an unmarked pedal cycle was fitted with cameras on his helmet and bike. The police cyclist would radio the details of offending drivers who demonstrated a ‘close pass’ through to colleagues in a marked vehicle to deal with.

The offending drivers were issued with road-side educational advice on the Highway Code, which states overtake only when it is safe and legal to do so and that drivers should allow vulnerable road users as much room as they would when overtaking a car, they were also given an eyesight test and their documents checked.

A driver deemed to be driving dangerously closely can expect to be prosecuted and taken to court for careless driving.

Inspector Ord, added; “A close pass not only presents danger to the cyclist but it’s also intimidating. Drivers should be allowing other road users as much room they would a car – but many seem to not know this, or choose to ignore it.”

Michael Lane, Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “The safety of all road users is of equal importance, but some groups are more vulnerable to harm, including cyclists.

“I have heard from many cyclists that they would like more to be done to ensure drivers keep their distance when overtaking them. This is why I am pleased to see that the constabulary is working to educate drivers on the dangers of close passes and taking action against those caught putting others at risk in this way.”