Driving Fail | Close Pass Special | Simply Not Good Enough
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 มิ.ย. 2024
- A massive thanks to all my viewers for sending these close pass clips in.
Hopefully we can change a few attitudes with this video.
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I’m an HGV driver and drive an artic. Once I had to follow a cyclist for 5 miles before I could get past and the only reason I got past was because we went different ways at a junction. There was nowhere safe and the cyclist wasn’t going to stop and let me go. It is it what it is. If you have to wait a while to pass safely then so be it. Would you rather injure or kill them to save a few minutes?
I doubt it was 5 miles.
@@shm5547 was it not? Were you there with me? The queue of cars behind was epic.
I've followed cyclists for similar distances along the "back-roads" round here, the type with passing places for cars to pass. Why don't they stop and wave people by? Some do but not many. It should go both ways, a cyclist blocking traffic until there is a long queue behind should also be guilty of some kind of offence. Public nuisance, or anti-social behaviour perhaps.
That sounds like the cyclist was part of the problem.
If you keep a vehicle stuck behind you for that long it is not entirely surprising that some will decide to take a risk and make a close pass, also the driver that waits for 5 miles may not be as patient with the next cyclist they come across.
We share the roads and if we expect consideration from others we also need to be considerate to others
@richardnicholson3912: "Would you rather injure or kill them to save a few minutes?" In answer to your questions! Never mind a few minutes!! Some motorist with their one TON plus vehicle would want to injure or kill a cyclist just for a few SECONDS!!
I was recently driving behind a pair of bicycles at a decent distance, waiting for a reasonable and safe opportunity to pass, when a woman in an Audi came up from behind, started honking aggressively at me and gesturing to overtake - with opposing traffic streaming by the whole time of course, making it impossible to do at all, let alone safely..
I stayed calm and kept my positioning for a couple more minutes until a good straight stretch without opposing traffic came up, then passed them safely and they both threw thumbs up at me, and as the Audi lady passed the thumbs got turned down; they weren't deaf to her aggressive honking.
The Audi lady and me both arrived at the red light up ahead at the same time, the two cyclists came in about 10-15 seconds later while we were still waiting of course..
Don't take chances on the road, keep calm, and arrive safely! :D
Did the bikes just squeeze up the inside to get in front, only to hold you up again?
This is what they normally do.
Well it saved the Audi one car length. Amazing.
@@wibbley1actual hold ups aren't even caused by cyclists. They are caused by other cars and traffic lights. The fact that the other cyclists caught them up just shows that there was no point in overtaking anyway.
@@danieltesfaye8517 When I get stuck behind the lycra fancy-dress boys racing on the roads around Box Hill, I can assure you that I am stuck behind them and they will never pull over to allow faster traffic to pass, because a) they are cyclists and b) they are racing on the public highway.
Similarly at roadworks & traffic lights, Knobby pushes his way to the front & then sets off, holding all the traffic he has just weaved around, up.
@@wibbley1 You have to understand from their perspective that they are training and they can't just bend over backwards for cars and faster traffic. The probably used to give way to traffic and got tired of it as it interfered with their training. Cyclists have the right to use the road like everyone else and should not have to dismount or get out of the way so motorists can save no time at all. Cyclists only do it out of courtesy not because it is a requirement, but you make it sound like it is. What is the motorists equivalent of dismounting and getting out of the way? Just give me one. Is it give way to speeding drivers tailgating you? Cyclists are not lesser beings that must get out of your way and car drivers have it so easy. Cyclists are 6 times or 7 times more likely to be killed and you are complaining about cycling groups that hold you up slightly but not actually holding you up?
Some of those passes were scary even for watching on YT.
Its difficult to understand how a close pass from a large vehicle feels like unless you experience it. Even if you're a confident rider.
@@andyo1737 Yep, got passed by some twat on a national speed limit country road doing at least 50mph who came within 30cm of my bars and he had done the same thing to my mate 100m back. The road was completely empty. He wasn't even doing it to try and get ahead in traffic.
And yes, they are scary and yes the are utterly commonplace if you ride your bike often. And yes in any built up area I get a ridiculous amount of shit overtakes where there was absolutely zero benefit to the driver and if they had an ounce of road awareness they would see that there is either a line of traffic or a red light that is going to stop them straight away.
Close passes and bad overtakes have no logic.
Unfortunately the vast majority of those drivers wont see anything wrong with what they did or how pointless the passes were. They will simply see that they got to the red light / junction / queue before the cyclist therefore their journey time is quicker. They wont/ cannot see that the cyclist has then passed them once more so there was no time saved, only increased risk
I will happily stay behind a cyclist for however long it takes to make a safe pass, if it is 5 minutes then it is 5 minutes, no issue with me. I start my journey with time to spare in case of lights, roadworks, queues. Too many drivers in a rush to get nowhere fast and making too many risky mistakes in doing so
@smilerbob: "They wont/ cannot see that the cyclist has then passed them once more so there was no time saved, only increased risk" That was a brilliant point that you made 👍
Why would you re-pass a driver who has just done a close pass on you? Need to be something of a masochist to want to do that.
I don't think it's anything to do with journey time, it's about being held up by a lower status road user.
@I_Evo You missed the point!! If the cyclist comes past you a few seconds or so later and you are now stuck in traffic or in a queue of other motor vehicles, then the point of the close pass was pointless as the crap driver yielded no fruit from the close pass!
@@powernab8457 And from a cycling point of view my point stands.
That Welsh one was horrendous. I've got a few close passes on my channel and have never caught one that close. I would have to stop and recover after something like that. I wish these drivers knew what stress they cause by doing this and as you say, it rarely gets them anywhere. Keep them coming!
The cyclist being shaken by the close pass is a win for them.
Most of my issues are close passes. I'm slowly getting them uploaded to my channel.
At 02:50 - it's mad that we're in a state where letting someone know they passed too close is considered a bad idea. I thought the same thing when watching but where did we go so wrong that someone can drive so close and almost collide with you on a bike when they're in a massive van and then the cyclist should be scared to say "hey, try not to kill me pretty please". Mental
Had this very discussion with a driver who passed so close to me that I banged on the side of his car with a bent elbow. Couldn't understand how it wasn't safe "because I didn't hit you do I??".
In some states in the US they could possibly be packing a gun.
I think car, van and lorry drivers fail to recognise one of the main reasons why the passing distance (for 30mph) has been set at 1.5m and this is due to a general lack of care/interest by drivers and a failure to understand physics. Motorcyclists suffer the same problem. Whenever a vehicle is moving it is pushing a large pressure wave in front of it, the size (and force) of which is proportional to the size and speed of the vehicle. As the vehicle approaches the back of the bike this pressure wave has the effect of pushing the bike away from the car (and towards the side of the road). Then, as the vehicle comes level with the bike nature had formed a partial vacuum (equal and opposite to the pressure wave) which sucks the bike in towards the vehicle. Finally, as the vehicle passes the bike the turbulent wake behind the vehicle sucks the bike in even further. The overall effect of this, which happens generally in about 2 seconds at 30mph, can be an uncontrollable wobble resulting in the cyclist losing control and falling into the road where they either hit the vehicle or await being driven over by the next vehicle. The bigger/faster the vehicle the more severe this effect can be.
1.5m is NOT a randomly chosen distance - it has been arrived at during testing at MIRA.
Hadn’t thought of that, very interesting.
I'm sure it's partially that, but it's also that 1.5m is approximately how far a cyclist is likely to fall in either direction, meaning that they're not going to be hit by your car should they do so.
The number of times I've seen bus drivers dangerously overtake a cyclist on the approach to a bus stop is astounding.
I hate being on a bus when this happens. I feel so guilty but can't do anything about it! I'm just sitting upstairs thinking 'please, don't do it..'😢
On Friday I had to take a diversion along a twisty single-track rural road.
Caught up to a group of cyclists who, bless 'em, kept looking behind and waving me through... despite the fact that the next blind bend was never more than 30m away and the road was never wide enough for a safe pass, let alone wide enough to take avoiding action should an oncoming vehicle appear.
I think they were starting to get a little frustrated that I wouldn't pass but an entrance to a farm came up and they all pulled in and stopped to wave me through.
Passenger window down to say thanks, a wave and a thumbs-up and I'm on my way.
Thing is, I could have got annoyed at them and they could have got annoyed at me but things always go better if we retain a bit of courtesy.
The timing of this video was impeccable, Ashley - on the drive back home this morning I held position behind an older fella on a bike between two mini-roundabouts, with oncoming traffic. All while an impatient Audi driver (who - fair play - knew where his indicators were but forgot to pack his wings that morning) sat on my arse with the usual agitated gesticulating. Waited until after he cleared the second mini-roundabout and the road straightened/cleared up before I performed the overtake giving plenty of room - a feat which earned me a round of applause from the Audi driver behind. Barely made a dent in the overall commute time, and kept everyone safe.
As someone who drove for a while before adopting a mix between car/bike commuting, I've felt what it's like to be on the receiving end of a pointless close pass - so damn right I'm going to hold back and make sure I'm looking out for the more vulnerable. At the same time, there'll always be people like the Audi driver who are irrationally impatient, thinking that everyone _must_ blast past people on bikes if there's even a fraction of space available all for the sake of getting to the next set of reds sooner. I'm a strong advocate for building dedicated (preferably segregated) cycling infrastructure to physically reduce risk for the more vulnerable, instead of hoping that education will be a panacea for poor attitude and entitlement. Looking forward to the next vid!
The only thing left is to keep reporting these drivers. Maybe the fines and points will impact their driving.
Police probably won't do anything.
Yep. Despite the fact that some people rankle at that, as you say, it's the only thing left to do.
Legalize d@m@ge to any vehicle driving that close. Fines never get their attention, repairs at their own expense will.
Police forces make it really hard to report people.....
You fill out a multiple page form online, they send you a link to upload your video, which expires after 2 days.
The upload is size limited so most HD video won't be small enough, you can't edit the video and it's must include 2 minutes before/after the event (so if it happened at the beginning of the clip, it's no good).
They send you the same form to fill out and sign by hand, to return within 21 days
Make a mistake on the form and it's null/void
They don't want to deal with this stuff.
@@Strider9655 I've only made two reports, one to my local force via Operation Snap, which went through easily, and one to a different force, which I found difficult and ultimately probably wasn't even accepted. It seems to depend on which force you are dealing with. I don't mind the detailed questionnaire; it's a legal document that needs to be accurate.
As a former lifelong cyclist (plus former motorcyclist and motorist) I would never ride that close to the gutter.
If a vehicle cuts too close the cyclist has nowhere to swerve to apart from into a curbstone that could tip the rider over into traffic....
_Gutters can also be full of debris leading to punctures - then there are drain covers (etc)._
Great British cycling gutters, the absolute pride of our nation
Yep, take the advice of a motorcycle, ride where the wheels of a car would be. So in this case, it would be the left wheels.
Roads are even worse now with the pot holes
Thank you Ashley. If you have modified the behaviour of just one driver your video has been worth it.
Not worth it at all. A drop in the ocean if only one driver changes their behaviour. There are too many bad drivers out there.
This is one of those videos where the clips are what I see regularly on the commute to and from work. It's horrifying how common close passing is. Nothing in this video was extraordinary, which is very sad indeed.
Absolutely, fairly normal to get all of this, in a ride to work, even as an experienced defensive riding cyclist.
The importance of primary position.
Unfortunately you need to take space or some idiot will take it.
I agree, until they hit you. Personal experience. If they are distracted, primary can be very dangerous
It's true, but there is no legal defence for close-passing someone who hasn't taken primary. Some drivers become very aggressive if they feel they're being blocked by a cyclist. We are not always dealing with rational beings.
@@CBGX that's an incorrect assumption. If they are distracted, they are more likely to not see you and hit you if you are in secondary. The best way to protect yourself is get a mirror and watch all vehicles approaching from behind.
@@shm5547 I am afraid that that won't always work. I was riding on primary and was hit. Paying attention and my instinct saved my life, but it can sometimes not be the best position. I always ride primary unless I want to invite them to pass me on a safe distance
To quote Ashley "the cyclist also seems to tell the driver about their mistake but as always I don't recommend doing this because you don't know what type of driver you're going to encounter"
And this is also true when taking Primary, basically you are controlling how others can drive, there's some Psychos out there that will get extremely ego triggered by this, i just try to ride defensively and keep myself safe.
These people have no shame... But they're increasingly likely to be prosecuted and fined, thanks to the boom in dash cam use. In March this year, 'This is Money' reported that over 90,000 fines were issued in 2023 based on dash cam evidence alone. Drivers who just don't care about needlessly risking other people's lives to save a couple of minutes may find themselves regretting such penalties, as well as points on their licence.
Based Dashscams
Funnily enough, the majority of submissions and fines are from car dash cams despite drivers whinging that cyclists are the ones out to get them.
We can but hope, anyway.
Thank you for pointing out how often these overtakes are pointless anyway. So often a car overtakes me, sometimes too close and you’ll be damn sure I’ll take primary until I feel there’s enough room to stop them doing another dangerous overtake.
In Ireland, on a road in the middle of nowhere in Leitrim, there were signs advising drivers to give at least 1.5 metres.
I have also seen such signage in France and Spain. I don't know why we don't have these signs in UK.
We should also have more mainstream media campaigns for road safety in my opinion.
When i was a lot younger driving on my own (female which is no excuse but please don’t tell me as male that), I used to feel so anxious and pressured to overtake cyclists if there was traffic. Since following this channel which is quite a few years now, I’ve stopped giving a shit. I turn my music up and drown out those anxious thoughts of people behind. I do everything i possibly can to protect. We have a country lane on my way to work and it’s looooooong and quite often used by cyclists. I will travel that long and windy road at 10mph all the way if i have to. There’s no need to risk someone’s LIFE for the sake of being 5 minutes earlier to work. I’ve found my way of coping essentially. Anyway, that’s a testament to this channel. I cannot tell you how much I’ve learned and mechanism for coping with different situations that stop all that anxiety. I’m not a perfect driver by any means, I’m human, occasionally i forget to indicate, occasionally i dont see that lorry in time waiting to pull out…. That’s okay. Because I know my mistake and i own it. But the main thing is i drive carefully enough and probably slow enough to cope with any mistakes. I’m so anxious about it that the possibility of literally ending someone’s life with this machine that I’m in control of. I don’t know how people fail to recognise that. I’m rambling because it really makes me so upset. Ashley neal needs to be on the playlist of all drivers.
Thats a good coping strategy. I do find that when your stress levels rise its easy to rush and drive poorley. When I'm being tailgated, if it stresses me out, I just slow to a pace where I feel calm again. Same with overtaking cyclists. I think a lot of bad passes are done out of fear and panic.
if there's one aspect of driving I feel as though gets worse by the day, it is this. The amount of times I've been on the other side of the road as a car overtakes a cyclist putting not only the cyclist but also myself at risk as they sidle over slightly to my side of the road... it's ridiculous
yeah, i see this a lot as a motorcyclist and I have no choice but to move over to the left of the lane.
i love this community, truly i do. Because when i watch Dashcam channels and a cyclist one is featured, without fault the comments are all "The cyclist shouldnt be on the road" and blaming the cyclist for whatever happened. Where as this community here are all of sound mind. "This is scary, give cyclists space" etc.
As a cyclist and a car driver myself, whenever i'm out on the bike i legit am terrified at times because of how dangerous car drivers get. Its like they are triggered by cyclists, to the point they stop wheel to curb, swerve extra close when passing by and so on. And pedestrians are just as bad. A few months ago I was cycling at a gingerly pace in a bike lane on the path, this woman threw herself infront, T posed and started screaming "get off the f-ing path!" Then got her phone out and started recording me. And sadly, in the town centre local to me, this happens way to often. People using the bike lane as a pram lane, yelling abuse at cyclists for using the bike lane
When I drive the car, i tend to hold back, give bikes a wide berth and do what i can to protect them. And again, i've had other road users give me abuse. I've been beeped at, had a driver yelling out the window at the next lights. On one occasion I was followed to my destination and when i got out, the guy got out and started giving me abuse about how i slowed him down. My man, you just wasted more time in following me to where i went.
You haven't looked at enough of the comments yet mate
People just don't know how to overtake/pass safely anymore no matter what you're driving. Even on a dual carriageway, passing another vehicle with nothing in front of or behind them, some cut in across your bows completely unnecessarily when moving back in.
They know, most of the time it's completely deliberate.
Passing too close and at speed especially with horses and other animals is especially thoughtless. Some areas of the country such as the New Forest, Dartmoor etc have herds of ponies and sheep roaming free and unfenced. People used to cities have little idea how to drive safely around animals.
They might cut you up if you sped up when they were trying to overtake or if you overtook them, then slowed down. Lots of people do this to me when my cruise control is set to an exact speed.
When I used to cycle to and from university on country roads, I would constantly get passed to close, on bends, and I had a driver pass me as I got to a junction who then, within a few metres of me, turned left across my path.
It really put me off cycling. I always wore a high-viz and a helmet, but that doesn't make it ok to pass so close.
I don’t understand why people overtake other vehicles only to turn off shortly after, either. Or overtake another while it is turning. They seem incapable of easing their right foot off for a few seconds.
Experienced most of them myself; definitely had to pull over and recover for a bit on a few occasions. Most common on my regular routes are ignoring the traffic priority sign in a traffic calming chicane (because we 'both fit'), overtaking on a blind curve up a steep hill over a canal, and close-passing at full throttle when oncoming traffic is a couple car lengths in front of me and (usually) forcing the nearest oncoming vehicle to slow to avoid a collision. Particularly annoying is when you take primary (for everyone's safety) and people still try to overtake, usually fast, close and with the occasional hand gesture to the effect of 'get over!' (i.e. in the gutter). Getting in front just to sit at the lights (or turn left) is also pretty standard. Overtaking within concrete traffic islands has thankfully decreased (other than that chicane), although when it does happen it's really scary. Most of the roads I use have a 20 limit (the rest no more than 30) with moderate traffic and multiple lights, and I have a top speed around 15mph, so any 'delay' I'm causing people is minimal and short-lived (I let people past as soon as safe to do so, and am usually on the road to get between disjointed sections of cycle path). Must also say that I regularly encounter L/M/HGVs, and apart from one bus they've never given me a problem (the bus close-passed and tried to squish me with its back end when it pulled back in). Now to get everyone else up to their standard... Still think an on-road bicycle test should be a mandatory part of getting your car licence!
Good post.
I've always thought that you should have to have a peiod riding a bicycle (and ideally a motor bike) before you get a car licence.
I was lucky to grow up in a place that had a cycle path running nearly all the way from my estate to the city (Lincoln). I'd never cycle through a city or busy town these days. Just not worth it. Not getting squashed or mangled just because some douche bag in a BMW can't wait two seconds. I still walk a lot, but don't really cycle anymore.
You were lucky in that you lived near Lincoln. South of the county, we don't get much. I have to use an off road trail for part of my commute because the cycle path they put on one section is so bad.
@@StupidDriversOfSouthLinc-oj4uv How can the cycle path be worse than an off road trail?
@@goodyeoman4534 Because it's your classic slap some paint on the pavement 'fix'. It's narrow, full of tree roots, passes multiple junctions and driveways, is really bad in terms of off camber and uneven, is accessed via a dangerous road crossing point on a roundabout and is regularly blocked by parked vehicles. To access it means me crossing the same road twice and if you wish to follow the cycle path section to where I'm heading, it means crossing multiple roads again and squeezing down the side of a garage. It's so much easier to pick up the dirt trail, which exits onto a quiet back street and delivers you to the same point the cycle path ends without any of the hassle.
I think Ashley this is one of the most shocking vids I have seen, and as you know I regularly watch the roadcc Near Miss of the Day.
I make it that about half of these deliberately break the rules of the road, never mind the close pass - whether overtaking through traffic calming, undertaking the cyclist or going straight ahead on a left-turn lane.
Unfortunately, as you will probably know, the more you cycle the more you witness this idiocy.
The closest pass I had was an articulated lorry on a roundabout. It got so close that the hooks for the tie ropes went into the straps on my rucksack. The lorry pushed me for several yards before the trailer turned sufficiently that the hooks disengaged. Thought I was going under the back wheels. I bought an air horn after that incident.
Basically, if you don’t get at least half of your car into the other lane, ideally completely in to the other lane, you’re too close.
You achieve what cycling mikey couldn't, & thats real education on the right & wrong with overtaking cyclist's. Some good examples to learn from . Thanks 👍🏻
Hi Ash, another great video. I just wish all drivers took notice. Every time I go cycling I encounter many close passes, some so close they’re almost touching. I’m an advocate of harsher penalties but can we guarantee that offences will be prosecuted ?
Agree with your comment about not engaging with miscreants. Last time I did so, pointing out the distance I was told to shut up. Keep up the great work. 👍
That country road one is absolutely crazy close. The van coming the other way towards the end was bad but if you're going to include that one, then you could probably include 90% of overtakes in the UK 😂
Since I passed my test back in September last year I've noticed most people don't follow the speed limit, especially in 20 mph zones..
it's fucking annoying when you try and do the right thing and you're a law abiding citizen and then you got absolute clowns behind you that sit up your arse! 😆
If you're truly this impatient you really need to look yourself in the mirror and work on yourself! Self love and respect is a thing ya know!? 👍
I'm hoping that with exposure, we can put an end to this pathetic-ness! This community can do it I believe! 😄
PS.
Thanks for all that you do Ash! 👍
Glad to see a few of my clips featured. Good video as always ash
Thanks for sending in!
@@ashley_neal i do wish you did post the rest of the Morrisons clip tho, he did a textbook pass a mile up the road. But i do agree approaching someone is risky on this occasion i could see them in the mirror and felt it was safe enough
If there's two lanes following in the same direction, for me there's very little reason to not be in primary - I've found it stops a lot of close passes as it denies the option of being in the same lane.
Thanks for this. Cycling around Bristol I reckon about 50% of overtakes are less than 1.5m. I just report the worst ones that are obviously too close and/or fast, approx 10 a week. Most get warning letters, some are prosecuted.
Nice Humber at 5:06. Can't remember the last time I saw one of them.
Some absolute shockers there. I'd definitely have reported some of those to either the police or the company whose vehicle it was. It would be interesting to know what the results were if that happened.
I have found contacting the company involved is usually a positive experience and things are handled amicably between all. Sometimes a gentle reminder is all that is needed to help improve. Obviously if it is absolutely abysmal driving then stronger action is perhaps needed
My experiences are from being a driver as I have not been on the bike for many years now. Injuries are not favourable for me anymore and age slowly creeping up on me making any niggle take much longer to disappear
I think things have become much better than they were 20 years ago, when the criteria for overtaking seemed to be whether the vehicle would physically fit and most drivers seemed to assume that any cyclist who wasn't a foot from the kerb was being inconsiderate. I am still overtaken at yellow bollards and hooted at if I move into the middle of the road to avoid potholes but it's becoming a lot rarer.
my city spend years and bundles doing an "improvement" to a particularly bottlenecked piece of road, and in the process lined the shiny new cycle lane with drain grates. what is particularly annoying is they have a footpath separated by a planting strip, and they could very easily have made that a double wide shared path and everything would have been better. actually, what is most annoying is my state offered to make all the upgrades including adding two more driving lanes to eliminate the bottleneck - which still exists - at no cost to the city; and the city declined the offer.
I used to get close passed by a van most mornings for about a month on my way to work. I'd be doing about 10 miles an hour uphill on a country road and this thing would come past at about 50. I thought about getting a camera but this was happening about 5 in the morning and it would be completely obvious to the driver who it was that reported them. I had severe doubts whether I'd be in more danger by reporting so ended up adding some time to my journey and going another way.
And the number of times I got overtaken on a bend was insane. If a driver coming the other way was overtaking a cyclist in the same manner there would have been a head on crash.
If cyclists themselves can play any part in the solution it would be to pull over early and find opportunities to let cars through. The less a driver feels they will be held up, perhaps the fewer risks they will feel they need to make to overtake.
I'd really recommend a Garmin Varia if you can afford one. Means you always know what's behind you so are not taken by surprise and can pull over to let pass if appropriate.
I was so sad when I decided to give up cycling when I just had too many near-death experiences on the rural lines where we live.
Most of the time these passes simply get the driver to the back of the next queue about 2-3 seconds faster.
In the last clip at 9:37 That wasn't a close pass by the car. The car suddenly swerved out (in?) in front of the cyclist who was about to filter past. I guess the driver didn't think to check the mirrors before doing that swerve because they stayed in their own marked lane and there wasn't an explicit lane that the cyclist was in. (That and probably also target fixation on the obstacle ahead.)
The same kind of thing happens if you are on a motorbike. Almost every close call I've ever had has been the fault of inpatient car/van drivers. People that drive for a living are the worst for it. Not the hgvs though. They usually look after you.
Closest pass I ever had was a tipper truck that had the "width stalk" hit my elbow as i passed on a blind bend. That was why I now have front and back camera's, and report on average 10-15 drivers a year. Cars can be closer, but lorries at speed are terrifying.
Taxi drivers are the worst in my experience. 90% of close passes are from Taxi drivers here in Bristol, with the other 10% being registered dick heads.
Big bike test teaches speed is your friend
@leenevin8451 the amount of times I would have been crushed if I wasn't on a 750.
How has it got to the point where there is such a widespread lack of patience, discipline and the ability to plan ahead on UK roads?!
Incredulous.
Great examples! 👍🏻
It's carzy, beacuase there is so much traffic on the roads including cylists there is zero piont in trying to race past cylists and cars alike as the only thing you achieve is putting others at risk.
Because car companies encourage that sense of entitlement. Look at their advertising, using words like "conquer" and "surpass", making them view roads as a war zone and v`ol3nce as "acceptable behaviour".
@@guessundheit6494 Not convinced , I'm more of the thinking that the amount of cars and general traffic on the roads leads to impatience, after all we ALL have to pass the driving test. I've seen as many impatient and selfish cylists as I have seen motorists, prehaps a major push for education in schools would be a start. I think it's more complex than what you are eluding to
Too many vehicles on roads with no extra capacity provided, and newer cars are far too big for said roads.
@@jonescrusher1 Agree , I'm unsure why car manufacturers build such massive small cars now ? maybe due to saftey requirements
Agree 100% on the be careful when confronting a close passer point. Few weeks ago I was close passed badly in a built up area right before a red light so I decided to stick up for myself and confronted the driver after filtering past. After this the guy followed me, pulled alongside while screaming abuse, then turned into me and knocked me off, then drove off. Got his Reg and the police are doing a brilliant job following up on the case. Just be careful everyone, they’re some real psychos with a temper in cars who shouldn’t be on the road.
I never confront drivers if I'm fortunate enough to catch them up further down the road. I let the Police do that for me. GMP seem to be taking close passes quite seriously in my experience of late.
i was the guy who spoke to the driver of the van. i could see his face in mirror he looked about 19 could be younger and might have been his 1st job. usually i would just report them but it's not always got to end in a fight or losing his job or points ect sometimes education is enough.
@Leidolfr take this however you want but not being big headed. I don’t fear death nor do i fear fighting or hand to hand combat i can also ride away if necessary. Yes im very aware people will stab you over nothing but a young lad working is very unlikely to be that type of person. Like i said i dont usually bother and just report these people but sometimes people dont know the mistakes they make
As always, thank you for featuring my clips. Hopefully it’ll help send a positive message in these educational videos. 😊
Thanks for your support Matt!
What also should be taken into consideration is the fact that the majority of uk roads were never designed so vehicles give cycles 1.5m clearance....It would in fact be safer for the cyclist to take the primary position in some instances to avoid such close passing.
Consider how pissed off drivers get when cyclists make it a mild inconvenience to overtake. Imagine how bad it would be if they felt cyclists were intentionally blocking them. Thats the issue. There is an irrational hatred of cyclists and far too many drivers think that cyclists intentionally ride to annoy them rather than just attempting to ride safely.
'Becoming'? I commuted by bike for decades. Since the highway code specified 5 foot has been improving.
I've experienced many close passes, and living in a rural area, many are at a higher speed. I do report the worst offenders. However, I also recognise that my holding up traffic on narrow roads makes a close pass more likely. Hence, I will always pull over if there is an opportunity. To me, enjoying my bike ride and arriving back home safely is more important than a fast Strava time.
A quick note that Thames Valley Police say if no part of the bike is visible in the shot it is not a close pass.
Wow.
TVP have been lacklustre with op snap submissions recently
When I first started driving, I felt the pressure to overtake from everyone, but I'm glad I never caved. There was once when someone was actively telling me to go, but I felt I didn't have enough clear vision or time. At that moment a car came flying from the corner and that gave me all the evidence and confidence I needed to trust my own judgement only.
My rule of thumb is, can I move into the oncoming lane fully without endangering or even inconveniencing anybody else and once I'm there, I can safely accelerate more to get past quickly.
It's also a nice excuse to hear a little of the 5cyl jtdm purr, but that's only bonus to a safe overtake ;)
I think the cyclist goes down the outside of the Morrisons van to remonstrate because the van (IMO Deliberately) got close to the curb to stop the cyclist coming down the left side, because he knew what he'd done was wrong and didn't want to have the conversation. At least it was handled gracefully by both parties in the end. Personally, I wouldn't have bothered as the result could easily have been a punch to the face or knife to the guts. More often than not, people don't receive criticism of their driving (or cycling) with good grace. I've had aggression and threats from both drivers and cyclists in the past.
I can say this because i sent the clip, he was about 19 years old probably his first job and wanted to give him the chance to do better because a report to the police could have caused him to lose his job. He did pass me a mile or so later and did a fine example of a good pass. I do wish ash uploaded that part also
03:51 that white van shouldn’t have undertaken, he also went ahead from a left only lane, terrible driving.
was hardly great riding ither, how does he expect people to pass him safely if he poodling along the white line like he wants both lanes.
@@GazzxyThat was my video, and the cyclist was an elderly gentlemen and depending where he'd cyclex from inclines progressively for about 1.5 miles, and he's still a bit to go..... So he's entitled to bimble along at whatever speed he wants.
As for the van driver, he'd started his overtake along way back and obviously couldn't give a stuff about what was in his way.
Pleased with the way my learner driver handled it on his driving lesson. I didn't send all of for the footage to Ashley, but we caught up the van driver at the next set of traffic lights, so the overtake was not only dangerous but pointless.
Slightly off topic but at 5:05, that's a Humber Hawk on the left hand side, according to a bit of googling, that's a '66 which makes it a Series IVA. 2.3L Straight 4 engine, potentially one of 3,754 made. Nice little spot that!
You too! I saw that, thanks for your research.
Even rarer if was the estate version and a colour of the period.
I spotted that too, but mistakenly thought it was a Super Snipe. Yes, it's a Hawk.
Thanks for the video, Ashley.
In the first clip at 0:30, it's a 20 mph limit and based on counting the road markings I make it that the cyclist is at 20-22mph, never mind the overtaking SUV. Why is the overtake even being attempted?
On the second clip at 1:05, if he's riding a cycle your viewer is quite fit by my standards.
The delivery driver clip at 2:10 is an example of where it feels very risky to take a strong enought primary to make a difference as the lane is so wide.
I have one urban road near me with a 12m carriageway and 2 lanes where there are 2 pedestrian refuges 50m apart longitudinally, but there is a sideways offset in road positioning of of 1m+ with central hatchings of 3.5m wide - crazily inconsistent and difficult to control overtakers as one is just about safe for overtakes, and the other not. Presumably the designer thought "buggins turn" or something equally stupid.
I don't understand why that is a 40 limit; I'd make it a 30 and introduce mid level protected mobility tracks, There's plenty of space.
Overtakes on bends, up hills and into hidden dips. See it too many times while out on my bike and in my car.
Can you explain what Black Belt Barrister ment by 'it's a standard give way to the right' when talking about merges in his last video? Have I misinterpreted that?
it means if you are merging onto a road, or if two lanes are merging, the road user on the left should be the one to adjust position, and give way, if necessary, to avoid conflict with the road user on the right. (reversed, where I am in the states, of course.) however, it bears mentioning, that it does not give road users on the right permission to bully their way past road users who are in front of them, trying to merge from the left. as a policeman I occasionally check point-of-law questions with says, "that doesn't give you the right to run them off the road."
@@kenbrown2808 What if the car in the left lane was further ahead?
@@ChrisCaaa the correct answer is that the car ahead should stay ahead, which means if you are merging from the left, and you are slightly ahead of the car on your right, it is your responsibility to accelerate so you are clear
@@kenbrown2808 Yeah that's what I thought
If councils just tacked on a segregated cycle path whenever a road was being dug up (the policy in the Netherlands since the early 90s), there would be a big network of cycle paths and no close passes at all.
Except in the Netherlands, cyclists think they can do anything they like since, even when they are technically in the wrong, they are legally always in the right.
that van on the country road was clearly a punishment pass.
The level of driving standards is clearly getting worse and the current fines and points system is an adequate deterrent. So how about anyone who is found guilty of even "minor" driving offences such as close passes, speeding and phone use, should compulsorily be made to attend the scene of a traffic accident with the emergency services, so they fully understand the absolute carnage a split second careless decision can cause. Or they can surrender their licence.
Ashley, proper question.
What do you think about distances when on a single track road, and the vehicle is coming towards the cyclist.
Should they carry on at speed?
Should they slow?
Should they try to move over?
Should both parties slow?
Should they still give at least 1.5m?
Some or all of the above?
Question for Ashley and regular cyclists: When driving I often encounter cyclists on the other side of the road and an impatient driver getting way too close to the rear wheel. My instinct is to make more space by inching a little to the left of my lane to decrease risk if the driver does then start a close pass. But I've always wondered if that just makes the situation worse by encouraging the overtake? What do you think?
It’s a catch-22
Makes it worse. Never encourage a dangerous pass. It’s equivalent to flashing your lights to let someone out of a junction when there’s other traffic coming.
its a reason my car and my push bike have a rear cam, people who tailgate when im cycling are the fucking worst. unfortunately if you are not the person doing it or the cyclist all you can do is drive to the statard you was taught can't really help any party out
My local police have stopped taking close pass reports. I wish that there was some campaign where drivers would be sent a pamphlet about this when reported for a close pass. I don't want people to risk losing their license with points unless it's habitual, but I just don't think these drivers even think about it. Sure some may be malicious, but most just see that there's "just" enough space and go for it, without any concern for the risk.
A friend who took a speed awareness course was shown just how little time he saved by speeding. Perhaps a similar thing here, like you highlight in the video, just showing how pointless and dangerous close passing is.
Still make the report but when it gets rejected make a complaint to the police ombudsman
As far as I am aware, the police cannot refuse a potential crime report but can refuse to investigate. But could be wrong of course on that
Since getting a dash cam, it's been quite illuminating for me learning what the police will act on and what they won't.
@@smilerbob I reported a lorry tailgating me on the M1. It was blatant and I thought it was a slam dunk. But the police didn't want to pursue it. I did get a submission code, and they told me I could complain about the officer who reviewed it, but I didn't. I was more just confused as to why they didn't want to act on it, as it was so blatant.
@@goodyeoman4534Similar experience with vehicle vs vehicle offences. I had one that went the wrong side of a mini roundabout, at speed, then got upset that I was already there. Proceeded to be inches off my bumber, weaving, flashing lights and pointing for me to pull over. They then overtook, brake checked me once in front and then off into the distance.
Apparently no offences committed as there was no contact but the driver will be spoken to about their aggressive behaviour
@@smilerbob That's insane. I had a Honda cut me up, stop the car in the middle of the road and then try and drive into my path as I overtook to escape. "No further action." If I'd got out and battered the middle-aged gammon in the Honda, though, I have no doubt the police would have come after me with full intensity.
6:50 I was expecting a comment about how wide angle lenses distort distances and how that wasn't close! Pleasantly surprised that these dangerous close passes attracted the criticism they deserve.
Driving like this is probably the number one reason more people don't cycle on the roads. You have to be tough to keep going when subjected to dangerous behaviour like this.
None of these cyclists try to magnify any of the events they encounter, unlike a number of the people you idolise.
@@ashley_neal I don't idolise anyone?! I'm just unbiased.
Lol. You're one of the most blinkered of the people who comment regularly on this channel.
@@ashley_neal well, you are entitled to your opinion, but I thoroughly disagree. I would say I'm one of the most balanced and thoughtful commenters, backing up my observations and opinions with lived experience and facts!
Anyway, just got back from a nice road bike ride. One red light safely negotiated and a short section of pavement riding to avoid a large vehicle. All potential close passes were effectively managed with judicious application of road positioning. So thankfully I don't have to fill in a police report or upload a video today! 😉
'Backing up your observations and opinions with facts?!' Didn't you question one of the earliest comments about the distance a HGV driver had to wait behind a cyclist when you weren't even there?
Also thanks for finishing off your comment where you clearly explained nothing happened but you still make out you are a victim.
Re the clip in Abergavenny at 1:30 - I certainly wouldn’t want to be overtaking a cyclist on any part of that road let alone across the bridge since it acts as a western bypass of the town centre hence why it’s fairly busy. There’s also a couple of roundabouts and a set of lights up ahead too so I doubt the overtaker got very far
1:15 I think the driver realised how close the pass was as they were overtaking as the hazards immediately came on to apologise. Not an excuse but at least they seemed to acknowledge their error
Brake lights
I loved seeong the nice passes in this video. In my experience they are quite infrequent: so much so that when a lorry gives me a comfortable amount of space I sometimes almost cry in relief. I always put my hand up to thank nice passers, should they happen to glance in their mirror. I also turn and smile and thank drivers who have to wait a while to pass me, and do the same if I have to take the lane. I think it helps them see me as a human person and not a 'cyclist'. Normal human interaction is a bit absent on the roads. If someone holds a door for me I'll thank them, so I also thank people for not killing me 😊
3:50 that was a completely illegal pass on the left in a turn lane, wasn't it?
yes, but not inclined to ignore the fact the cyclist seemed lost and decided going ALONG the white line as if he wanted both lanes was a good idea, cant complain about close passes if you left no room for a reasonable one.
@@GazzxySeems like you're making excuses for the dangerous driving from the van driver. I have replied in another comment, the cyclist was an elderly gentleman, who was clearly cycling slowly because it's a very long hill, it seems you've completely missed the whole point of all of these videos.
@@Bin-The-L-Plates not denying the van was dangerous, just sayign the cyclist did nothing to help his situation cycling along the line,
I've given up cycling now, too dangerous around the city centre here.
Regular cyclists are a tough bunch.
There has to be a catchy slogan like "Think! Don't drink and drive" but for numptys who overtake at bends. Something like "Don't be a Bellend when approaching a bend."
Lol
I'd argue that wider pass at 7:00 is STILL bad, because they picked a part of the road that clearly doesn't have enough visibility to confirm if the overtake is safe. If you watch for a few more seconds, it seems to narrowly misses a car coming the other way as it moves back into the left.
That's a fair point
Ashley, what are your views on the reverse situation?
Car travelling at the 20mph limit in SW London on a narrow two way road with constant traffic and 3 cyclists, not together, shoot down the middle because 20mph is not fast enough for them. They could not have been more than 2ft from the cars on either side.
The take home message : Drivers SHOULD give space but Cyclists cannot gamble with their lives and so MUST take the lane.
Agreed.
Though it was nice to see a video without any whataboutery or victim blaming of the cyclists. Many of the cyclists in the video could have ridden more defensively for their own safety, but ultimately it is the responsibility of drivers to operate their heavy vehicles safely and legally.
And qualified drivers should be aware that they may encounter inexperienced road users. Roads are not the reserve of licensed car drivers after all.
Expecting cyclists to take the lane is not always practical. Cyclists are not interested in weaving in and out every now and then to avoid being close passed. They just want to take a steady line and stick to it.
Cyclists should be able to ride without excessive worry or having to be super aware about motor vehicles just as it is in Holland and other better "developed" countries.
@@vfcliststhat won't be achieved until cyclist and motor traffic is for the most part segregated
Take the lane here in South Lincolnshire and you get road rage attacks.
slightly confused, i was approaching a mini roundabout where visibility to the right was poor, i looked left, a cyclist was approaching but still 50yds away, i slowed to take a right on the roundabout, concentrating on the poor visibility to the right, as i entered the roundabout, indicator on and started to turn right, aware of the cyclist nearing the roundabout the cyclist from the left arrived at the roundabout, i looked right as it was where i was going and the cyclist continued without slowing which forced me to break heavily mid roundabout. Do cyclists have to give way to traffic on the right on roundabouts or was i at fault. Apart from me swearing under my breath, there was no interaction between us and no contact but it must have been very close.
Of course cyclists should give way to traffic coming from the right on a roundabout.
This reminds me of one of the more worrying close passes I experienced. It’s summer 1996 and I am about to turn 17. This means I tended to cycle everywhere. I still cycle but more for fitness these days. A kid around my age had just taken in his first car, a light metallic blue Mk1 Astra 5 door. Said Astra acquired some alloys, lowering kit and other enhancements including the Peco big bore four. His driving style was often enthusiastic. So, I’m cycling up Old Wells Road (Glastonbury), a steep road with a number of blind bends. Astra man is using the racing line on one of these blind bends and comes within a few inches of me during an enthusiastic piece of cornering in second gear, at over 4500rpm, making full use of the Peco Big Bore 4 acoustic attributes. I fell into the hedge. I was uninjured and carried on with my day, making sure to call Astra man a colourful name as I passed him parking up outside of his house.
Not only was if really close, but it was at the narrowest point as oncoming traffic was actually over the centre line to pass parked cars. So there was less than one lane for 2 cars and a bike. Anyone who wasn't a total moron, would have waited a few seconds and then passed when it was safe... but not Mr Audi....
4:33 If that lorry had just waited a few more seconds that cyclist would have been out of his way anyway.
I was subjected to road rage from the driver behind me because I would not pass a cyclist until it was safe to do so!
The problem is judgement when to be in secondary and when to go to primary. I was overtaken by a learner driver when I was in primary overtaking parked cars to my left. I caught up with the learner driver to tell his instructor what he’d done and he just said : I should have been on the left. 🤦♂️ I corrected him and said if he didn’t teach his pupil properly I would let the police have the footage and they could teach him instead.
In the Netherlands we have dedicated bike paths. I would be really scared to drive a bicycle in the UK…
The life and times of a UK cyclist. Happens two or three times to me every day on my commutes between Sevenoaks and Sidcup.
I almost hate to bring this up. The separation of modes of traffic on public ways is a policy that governments have to fulfill in building our streets and roads. “Close passing” is a behaviour that will not go away. Cycling as a way people get around isn’t going away. Laws and good manner can only do so much when “bad behaviour” provides such a powerful emotional reward. Getting to where one is going a little faster is an undeniable thrill. If there are enough people who bend to temptation and can overwhelm law enforcement, then the rule becomes an excuse to accept the status quo. When traveling abroad one can see that how the UK chooses to designs its streets and roads has a distinct British character. UK treats the users of its public ways in a hierarchy. Motorists really are the privileged class. There are few restrictions on where a motorist can go. This is particularly noticeable as a pedestrian where separate paths and crossings are often vestigial or just missing.
Close passing will become mostly a thing of the past when the fines levied on close passing are hypothecated to buy cameras for other cyclists who need them. The fines supported by camera evidence provided by cyclists should go to be buy more cameras.
This confuses people, but there are two hierarchies.
The protection one, in the Highway Code. Powerful HGVs are lowest, fragile pedestrians are highest.
And the one that applies to design/reality. If there's no cycling accommodation, the Code is meaningless, and even reversed: cyclists are at the bottom because cars/HGVs are bigger, and a (95%) one-way threat to cyclists.
If separated, it avoids the need for any hierarchy all together.
Pedestrians complicate things but this video isn't about that.
The key difference in the 'design' of towns and cities in Europe compared to Britain mostly comes down to the last 150 years. Britain didn't play host to two massive wars and as such the layout of these towns and cities is much the same as it was 150 years ago whereas France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany had a somewhat more drastic renovation to their layouts and therefore could rebuild in a style more fitting with a future that was going to include a massive increase in the use of their roads. This isn't really a problem with a practical solution unfortunately
@@DjDolHaus86 Have a look at the Bicycle Dutch channel, where he discusses that The Netherlands only developed decent cycling infrastructure from the 1970's onwards, so the 'flattened cities' theory just isn't true.
@@type17 no but the cities and towns weren't still laid out in a way only suitable for horse and cart as they had previously been. The roads were widened, houses didn't go right to the edges of the road. This leaves more space for adding space for proper cycle lanes without having to tear down people's houses
They just don't care.
Own the lane, just own the lane.
Where I live (Quebec, Canada), the rules about passing (overtaking) cyclists are very similar to those in the UK -- minimum 1.5 m clearance, if going 50 km/h or slower; minimum 2 m, if going faster than 50 km/h.
Regardless of the rules, I try my best to give at least 2 m clearance no matter my speed.
When I see a cyclist in the on-coming lane, *_if possible and safe_* , I will move over to allow on-coming drivers the space needed to overtake the cyclist safely (even if I have to move slightly onto the hard shoulder). This is not required in the highway code; but I figure it is a nice gesture that doesn't cost me anything and could help others.
Terrible pass, but…..time for the following driver to admire that Humber Super Snipe Estate at 5:06
At 9:04 with the van coming the other way, I sort of had a 6th sense they were going to pass the cyclist so I moved slightly left in case they did so it was less of a reactionary manoeuvre from me and more space for the cyclist. However, by me moving slightly left, did that encourage the van driver to pass the cyclist or do you think they were they going to pass anyway?
Thanks again for using my clips
It’s a catch-22.
You increased risk and decreased risk at the same time.
The clip at 1.25 Is close to where I live, that bridge is notorius for being very very narrow and quite dangerous in fact if a lorry approaches the locals stop to allow the lorries through , it's in wales and 20mph limit. That overtaking manouver of the cylist was absolutley shocking. I'm not a cylist myself but the Town has a very big history of cyling and most people here respect them.I will say however that now 20mph is mandetory here in Wales it's created a number of problems with many cylists far exceding the road speed limit and overtaking cars doing 20mph at speed.There needs to be much more education of drivers and cylists alike and the law should be enforced for drivers who put cylists at risk IMHO.
As someone who is familiar with said town that road is the last place where I’d want to overtake a cyclist since it’s fairly busy due to being a bypass of the town centre. Given the direction both were travelling in it’s also pointless as the driver probably got stuck at the roundabout by Waitrose
Hopefully the planned ped/cycle bridge over the river by the pub will provide a decent alternative.
@@capote481 Been needed for the last 30 years
0:36 - The problem I have with "primary position" is that when I do that I often find it triggers driver into road rage with other motorists, and they end up doing something even more dangerous.
From personal experience I find it's just less risky to try and keep left and just be prepared for stupid overtakes. Then again I live in a horrible area.
So what do you suggest to solve the problem?
In general, I shrug my shoulders, throw the odd wave after close passes, yesterday one close pass really shook me up. I get at least one close pass on most rides, but usually more. Drivers who watch your channel are unlikely to be the problem.
I saw a video the other day suggesting that drivers should plan to follow cyclists first, then see when it’s safe to pass. I thought this was a good approach.
1. Better bike infrastructure.
2. Harsher penalties for law breakers.
3. Enforcement of existing road laws
always love it when I see Aberystwyth on your videos haha
I see lots of cyclists using the pavement or signalling right on the far left of roundabouts. As a confident cyclist I can only assume this behaviour is due to fear of the usual few that spoil it for everyone else thus the 20mph limits in high ovcupancy areas.
Every time I see a cyclist on the pavement I just think “I completely understand you mate, the roads are scary”
Though I secretly despise pavement cycling
Err, cyclists are allowed to turn right from the leftmost lane of a roundabout.
@shm5547 I never knew that but won't try it.
@@mikgold rule 79. It’s often the best option, especially on large multilane roundabouts.
Literally just this morning a car whizzed past me way too close only to hit a queue at traffic lights a few metres up the road. I overtook the queue and pulled into the cycle box at the front (which of course had a car sitting in it).
Second video, I think that was a Porsche SUV that passed too close, wasn't it?
Out for a ride yesterday I got passed a bit too close for comfort by a couple pickups, probably doing close to 80 km/h in a 60 zone. Where are people going in such a hurry on a Saturday morning?
It does seem to be getting worse lately. I've got about six drivers on cam from last week but I'm unlikely to be reporting them as I simply don't have the time to edit the videos and fill in the forms. _Yes, I do have a life afterall..._
But what's worse, is some of the drivers that I have managed to report recently for close passing, were learner drivers on their test and a driving instructor (or maybe a family member).
It's because of the close passes getting worse that I've recently added a rear facing camera to my bike to increase the chance of catching the registration plate of the guilty drivers.
I have notice when I look more "sporty" I get less room on my bike, when I am on my old bike with panniers and a basket i tend to get more room on average
Two days in a row came around a corner to find someone overtaking a cyclist as they were approaching the bend causing them to swerve back over to avoid me and both came literally within inches of the cyclist. Then the third day was following behind someone who tried to overtake a cyclist approaching the brow of a hill, which blocked visibility, just as a large truck appeared the other way, again having to swerve back into their lane nearly taking out the cyclist... and that is the ones who were actually giving the cyclists space!
On the flip side though couple of days ago we had the same cyclist come past us twice in a row while stopped at lights having had to follow behind them until nearly to the lights and then they tried to do it again when we were stopped at the third set of lights, which would have meant following behind them at barely 10MPH for over a mile before the next chance to pass them, but they couldn't get past my car. At one point they even passed up on a perfectly good 50m stretch of cycle path which would have let us pass them.
There are some real shockers there, especially the inside passes.
I agree with you to a point regarding passing on the wrong side of the central island but this can also put the fear of god into the cyclist who will likely hear the car approaching at speed with no apparent space to pass!
I really can't believe how much of this footage you get. I think it shows just how soft we have become on people not following the rules. Nobody gives a shit till someone dies, then a month later they are back to not giving a shit 😒
I think there needs to be a big change to how driving offences are dealt with since in particular the police don't really do much at all (Referring to Derbyshire Constabulary and Nottinghamshire Police and their associated dashcam reporting channels (which also need improvement for static supporting images too)). In my experience I have had one really bad close-pass one last year, and the (Nottinghamshire) police just sent out a "love letter" to the offending vehicle/keeper. It would be much better if cycling clubs were the ones dealing with traffic offences related to cyclists. The police forces are very car-centric, and from my experience with reporting I don't think they even understand the highway code themselves.
I witnessed a close pass the other day from a van infront. We were following the van for some distance and even when the road was clear, dry etc they were sitting 15-20mph below the speed limit. Then when they caught up to the cyclist they rushed the overtake and passed very close, over solid line too.