New research reveals that over half of UK drivers are unaware of key Highway Code rules designed to protect cyclists, with 58% not knowing they must leave at least 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists at 30mph. This lack of knowledge contributes to dangerous driving behaviors, as evidenced by a doubling in the number of videos submitted by cyclists showing close passes—from 7,249 in 2021 to 15,779 in 2024. Police forces have responded by increasing Notices of Intended Prosecution, with Bedfordshire issuing them in 90% of reports, highlighting a growing enforcement effort to improve road safety.
Despite the 2022 Highway Code updates introducing a “hierarchy of road users” and clearer overtaking rules, many drivers remain unaware or disregard these changes. Surveys indicate that nearly a third of drivers frequently witness unsafe close passes, and 17% see overtaking on blind bends, posing serious risks. In 2023, 87 cyclists were killed and nearly 4,000 seriously injured in Great Britain, underscoring the urgent need for improved driver awareness. The Department for Transport plans to launch a new Road Safety Strategy later this year to better protect all road users.
