Police are cracking down on drivers who don’t leave enough room for cyclists when overtaking. 

To combat the issue Dorset Police have launched Operation Close Pass which is being rolled out across the county.

The initiative aims to improve the safety of cyclists and raise awareness of all road users.

Police officers will pose as cyclists wearing cycling clothes and will attach cameras to their bicycles in order to catch out drivers who don’t leave enough room when overtaking.

PC Heidi Moxam, Casualty Reduction Officer for Dorset Police, explained the importance of Operation Close Pass, which was launched in Bournemouth last week and is set to be rolled out.

She said: “As a traffic officer, I regularly see the devastation caused when collisions occur between drivers and cyclists.

“It is vital we adopt schemes of this nature to prevent relatives receiving that knock on the door to learn their loved one won’t be returning home.”

Drivers who do not leave enough room when overtaking the undercover police officers will be escorted by Dorset Police to the roadside where they will be offered roadside education.

Any drivers that refuse the ten minute roadside education will be fined £100 and will be given three points on their licence.

Since 2015, three cyclists have been killed on Dorset roads with a further 137 seriously injured and another 469 slight injuries.

Ken Reed, Dorset Cyclist Network’s Acting co-ordinator for Weymouth and Portland, welcomed the new initiative.

He said: “I think it is a great that they are doing it. There are far too many motorists who don’t give significant room for cyclists.

“I think the police plans to pull them over is a great way to deal with it. Hopefully it will improve people’s driving. It is a constant problem for us cyclists and it is getting worse.”

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, Martyn Underhill explained Operation Close Pass will ‘protect’ Dorset’s cyclists.

He said: “Road safety has become an increasing issue of concern for Dorset residents. Through public consultation, I know how important it is to local people to reduce the number of people killed or harmed on our roads.

“It’s fantastic that the cycling community has been heard and this innovative project directly addresses their safety concerns. It aims not only to protect cyclists, but to educate drivers to be more considerate road users, benefitting all those travelling in Dorset.”

Operation Close Pass will run at locations across Dorset.