Lorry driver forced to fork out £1,000 for dangerous overtake
A lorry driver has been convicted for overtaking a cyclist dangerously as part of a police campaign.
The 60-year-old trucker was caught on camera passing too close to the cyclist on Park Lane West, Tipton.
He has been made to pay more than £1,000 and given five points on his licence after being found guilty of driving without due care and attention.
The driver, from Birmingham, was punished after his actions last November were caught on the helmet camera of the cyclist, a 56-year-old man from Wednesbury.
He denied the offence but was convicted at Birmingham Magistrates Court.
He was made to pay £1,038 in fines and costs.
PC Mark Hodson from the Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) said: “This was a clear case of a close-pass: the cyclist was nearly forced into the kerb and the actions of the truck driver could easily have caused a very serious collision.
“A few seconds delay to ensure a safe overtake is nothing compared to the consequences of a poorly planned and executed overtake can be.”
The 56-year-old cyclist said he started using cycle cameras after being knock-off his bike by a hit and run driver in 2015.
He added: “I was seriously hurt and it took six weeks to recover – and what made matters worse for me was that we couldn’t trace the driver.
“It helps me greatly to cycle on the roads knowing that, should anyone endanger me, West Midlands Police will act upon it…it gives cyclists the confidence and reassurance that such dangerous driving will not be tolerated."
The lorry driver was prosecuted as part of a West Midlands Police campaign aimed at protecting cyclists.
Almost 200 people have been pulled over during police close-pass operations. Most have been let off with a warning.
However, 13 drivers went on to be prosecuted and two had licences revoked at the roadside for failing eyesight tests.
West Midlands Police has seen reports of close-passes halve since the scheme was introduced.
