More than half of all UK drivers could be breaking Highway Code rules and posing a danger to cyclists with their reckless actions, according to new research.
Almost three in five drivers (58 per cent) have admitted that they are unaware of the Highway Code rule which instructs motorists to leave at least 1.50 metres when overtaking cyclists at 30mph.
Rule 163 of the Highway Code states that drivers should only overtake other road users when it is safe and legal to do so.
In the case of overtaking cyclists, as well as motorcyclists, horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles, drivers should give a wide berth to avoid an accident.
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New research has found that drivers have a lack of knowledge of vital Highway Code rules
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When travelling at 30mph, cars should give cyclists a gap of at least 1.5 metres, while a larger distance should be given if they are driving quicker.
The issue has seemingly worsened in recent years, with data from a Freedom of Information request finding that the number of cyclists submitting video footage of poor driving has doubled.
Cyclists are able to submit footage to police forces if the driver is acting recklessly or dangerously. In 2021, 7,249 videos were submitted, while a staggering 15,779 were sent in 2024.
The research, which is based on data from 43 police forces in England and Wales, questioned how many videos showed a close pass by a motorist were submitted as part of Operation Snap.
New Highway Code changes were introduced in January 2022 to protect all road users
PAAvon and Somerset Police received the highest volume of complaints about close passes, with more than 3,500 people submitting footage last year.
With the growing number of footage being submitted, the number of Notices of Intended Prosecution being served has also jumped from 38 per cent in 2021 to 54 per cent in 2024.
Drivers in Bedfordshire were caught the most frequently last year, with 90 per cent of all reports leading to a Notice of Intended Prosecution.
This was closely followed by Avon and Somerset Constabulary and Cambridgeshire Constabulary, who were also keen to improve road safety with warnings to motorists.
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Separate research from IAM RoadSmart found that 18 per cent of drivers incorrectly believed that they should leave just one metre of space to cyclists when overtaking.
A third of drivers, which accounts for more than 10 million motorists, said they often see other drivers or motorcyclists performing what they would consider a close pass, risking the safety of a cyclist.
Even more shocking is that 17 per cent of people reported that they often see drivers overtake cyclists on a blind bend, potentially putting countless lives at risk.
According to data from the Department for Transport, 87 pedal cyclists were killed in Great Britain, while 3,942 were reported to be seriously injured in 2023.
Thousands of cyclists are seriously injured across the UK every year
GETTYDespite it being a massive update, many drivers still appear to be unaware of changes introduced to the Highway Code in January 2022, which included the launch of rules dubbed the "hierarchy of road users".
Rule 163 of the Highway Code also outlines that drivers should travel under 10mph and allow at least two metres of space when passing around horse riders, horse-drawn vehicles and pedestrians walking in the road.
The Department for Transport is expected to launch a new Road Safety Strategy later this year to ensure all road users are protected when travelling.
This is set to be the first update to the policy in more than a decade, with former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh pledging to deliver a comprehensive strategy.
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