Close passes to cyclists and Highway code 163

Highway code for Uk roads

163

Overtake only when it is safe and legal to do so. You should

• not get too close to the vehicle you intend to overtake
• use your mirrors, signal when it is safe to do so, take a quick sideways glance if necessary into the blind spot area and then start to move out
• not assume that you can simply follow a vehicle ahead which is overtaking; there may only be enough room for one vehicle
• move quickly past the vehicle you are overtaking, once you have started to overtake. Allow plenty of room. Move back to the left as soon as you can but do not cut in
• take extra care at night and in poor visibility when it is harder to judge speed and distance
• give way to oncoming vehicles before passing parked vehicles or other obstructions on your side of the road
• only overtake on the left if the vehicle in front is signalling to turn right, and there is room to do so
• stay in your lane if traffic is moving slowly in queues. If the queue on your right is moving more slowly than you are, you may pass on the left
• give motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car (see Rules 211 to 213) and 214 to 215).

Remember: Mirrors – Signal – Manoeuvre

Not like this 

Careless driving (driving without due care)

This offence is committed when the accused's driving falls below the standard expected of a reasonable, prudent and competent driver in all the circumstances of the case.

The maximum penalties are:

• a £2,500; and
• mandatory 3 to 9 penalty points; and
• discretionary disqualification.

Examples

The test of whether the standard of driving has fallen below the required standard is objective. It applies both when the manner of driving in question is deliberate and when it occurs as a result of incompetence, inadvertence or inexperience.
Occasionally an accident occurs but there is no evidence of any mechanical defect, illness of the driver or other explanation to account for why the accident happened. In these cases, a charge of careless driving may be successfully defended on the basis that there is no culpability. The case for the prosecution may be put on the basis that there is a very strong inference that the defendant was driving below the standard expected of a reasonable, prudent and competent driver because of, for example, the fact that a collision resulted.

The following are examples of driving which may amount to driving without due care and attention:

• driving inappropriately close to another vehicle