Motorists targeted in police major operation tackling Highway Code offences in bid to 'save lives'

A major police operation has seen several drivers committing offences during a targeted road safety crackdown in Doncaster aimed at tackling Highway Code breaches and protecting cyclists and motorcyclists.

The two-day operation launched by South Yorkshire Police saw neighbourhood officers cycling in plain clothes while roads policing officers patrolled on motorcycles, and stopped drivers if they were displaying dangerous behaviour.

The enforcement campaign forms part of a wider national effort to improve road safety ahead of the summer months, when more cyclists and motorcyclists are expected to be using the UK's roads.

Of the 28 drivers dealt with during the operation, 14 were issued traffic offence reports for driving without due care and attention, including overtaking cyclists without leaving enough space and failing to give way when turning at junctions.

Police also caught five motorists using mobile phones while driving, while six others were penalised for not wearing seatbelts.

One driver was reported for failing to stop at a stop sign, while another was found to be driving without a valid MOT certificate.

Although these offences were not directly linked to passing cyclists safely, officers said they remain major contributors to serious collisions and deaths on the roads.

One motorist was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving after officers determined they had been behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol.

Another driver will appear before magistrates after being stopped while disqualified from driving, while also being uninsured and using a mobile phone at the time.

Sergeant Brandon Brown, who led the operation from a police motorcycle, said drivers must understand that giving cyclists enough room is a legal requirement.

He 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."

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The officer said police would continue educating motorists and vulnerable road users in an effort to reduce collisions on the roads.

He also warned of the potentially devastating consequences of poor driving standards and that all road users have a responsibility.

The Highway Code sets out strict rules on overtaking cyclists and other vulnerable road users, as motorists should leave at least 1.5 metres of space when passing cyclists at speeds of up to 30mph.

When travelling at higher speeds, drivers are expected to leave a minimum of two metres.

The guidance states that cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders should be given as much room as motorists would leave when overtaking another car.

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.