Phil’s campaign brings change to overtaking laws
MINISTER for Transport Shane Ross has credited the hard work and persistent lobbying of a Wexford man in his decision to introduce a new offence of dangerous overtaking of cyclists which will carry increased fines for drivers.
Phil Skelton founded the ‘Stayin’ Alive at 1.5’ campaign in 2013 following the deaths of two cyclists in Wexford as a result of collisions with cars travelling in the same direction. The goal of the campaign was to raise awareness of the need to allow sufficient space when overtaking cyclists and to see the introduction of a minimum passing distance law of 1.5 metres.
In the intervening years, the campaign has received significant support from the cycling community nationwide, even being endorsed by such high profile cycling names as Stephen Roche, Nicholas Roche and Sean Kelly.
Phil was delighted to finally receive confirmation last week that new regulations surrounding the overtaking of cyclists is to be brought in next week by Minister Ross, who said: ‘Credit is due to Phil Skelton for championing the idea from the start and helping to bring it to fruition.’
At the moment drivers who overtake cyclists dangerously can be prosecuted under the general law against dangerous overtaking and can be given a fine of €80 and three penalty points. Under the new regulation there will be a law specific to overtaking of cyclists and the maximum fine for that will be increased to €120.
However, there will be no increase to the number of penalty points as that would require primary legislation.
While enforcement was always going to be regarded as an issue, Minister Ross says that there will be ‘ thorough garda enforcement’ and ‘a renewed campaign by the Road Safety Authority to educate drivers to give cyclists a recommended 1.5 metres of space when passing in zones with speed limits over 50km/h and 1 metre where the limit is 50km/h or lower.’
While the campaign sought to make those minimum passing distances a legal requirement, the Attorney General advised against a minimum passing distance law on the grounds of enforceability.
‘I welcome this announcement with cautious optimism,’ said Phil.
‘ This will be a new model of cyclist specific dangerous overtaking law and it’s important to give this the opportunity to work. I’ve worked a lot on this with organisations like the RSA and I’m hopeful that if everyone works together on this then it will lessen incidents of injury and fatalities among cyclists going forward.’
‘Eight cyclists have already been killed on Irish roads this year, which is frightening. Hopefully this can act as a catalyst and can change attitudes among the small minority of drivers engaging in this dangerous behaviour.’
‘What it could mean is that one cyclist out there on our roads at the moment might be able to spend Christmas with their families. That’s the difference it can make and that’s what makes it all worthwhile.’
The reaction to the introduction of the new laws has been overwhelmingly positive from the cycling community, however, predictably there has been some criticism from motorists on social media.
‘First of all, I’m a driver myself as well,’ Phil said.
‘ The vast majority of drivers are perfectly safe when overtaking cyclists. It’s just a small cohort of drivers that, whether deliberately or they are just uninformed, can be dangerous. Some drivers seem to view cyclists as road furniture or an inconvenience that needs to be overtaken as quickly as possible.’
‘I think some of the problem is that drivers who don’t cycle can’t imagine how intimidating it can be to be overtaken closely by a car at speed. What I compare it to is standing inside the yellow line at a train station with your back to the train as it passes. It can be very scary.’
While the new law change can be considered a major step in Phil’s six year campaign, he says it shouldn’t be regarded as the solution either.
‘ This should no be seen as the panacea of cyclist safety but it will act as another tool in the cyclist safety tool-kit,’ he said.
‘It certainly should not be viewed as a substitute to dedicated, connected segregated cycling infrastructure but more of a beach head strategy. Having said that it is a significant step in the right direction and I look forward to seeing how it plays out.’
WHAT I COMPARE IT TO IS STANDING INSIDE THE YELLOW LINE AT A TRAIN STATION WITH YOUR BACK TO THE TRAIN AS IT PASSES. IT CAN BE VERY SCARY