Driver hits out at fine after passing cyclist
A BUSINESSMAN has hit out at an “appalling” driving fine – after being penalised for passing a cyclist too closely.
Wayne Humphreys, 77, was fined £1,887 and given four penalty points for failing to leave enough space in his Audi Q8. The cyclist recorded the close pass on a GoPro camera and reported the incident to roads policing teams.
Warehouse boss Mr Humphreys, of Tyla Garw, Pontyclun, was contacted over the manoeuvre but refused to accept his wrongdoing and did not attend a course or pay a fixed penalty notice.
He was then prosecuted at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court for driving without due care and attention and given four penalty points, and ordered to pay £1,887 in a fine and costs.
Mr Humphreys, said: “I think the fine is absolutely appalling. I am 77 years of age and the last fine I had was 35 to 40 years ago for doing 34mph in a 30 zone. Other than that I have never had a fine and I have had a licence for 60 years.” Mr Humphreys, who is listed as director of Humphreys Warehousing and Storage and WA Humphreys International Transport on Companies House, said he and his son measured the road in question in Bridgend and estimated the gap he left for the cyclist was sufficient and safe.
He said: “Taking into account the cyclist and his bike there would have still been at least 4ft space.
“I find it absolutely incredible this has happened. I don’t know whether to appeal it or not. It will probably just cost me more money. This has already cost me about £4,500 with the money for the court and the solicitor. It doesn’t make sense to me.”
A GoSafe spokesman said: “GoSafe received footage of a white Audi overtaking a cyclist on Pant Hirwaun, Bridgend on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, without leaving enough space to perform the manoeuvre.
“The driver, Wayne Humphreys, from Pontyclun, was contacted and offered a course. The ‘What’s Driving Us’ course is offered to drivers/riders as an alternative to prosecution for the offence of driving without due care and attention.
“Mr Humphreys failed to accept this course and later failed to comply with a fixed penalty notice.
“This resulted in him appearing in Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on June 8, 2022.
“He was found guilty of driving without due care and attention.
“He received four penalty points on his license, given a £1,152 fine, £620 costs, and a £115 victim surcharge.
“GoSafe regularly receives similar submissions through Op Snap and has worked closely with drivers and cycling groups to develop Operation Close Pass, which looks to educate both drivers and cyclists on how to stay safe on our roads.
“Despite this, unfortunately, GoSafe continues to receive regular Op Snap submissions relating to close pass incidents.
“This outcome shows that these submissions are taken seriously and given the appropriate amount of attention, as we continue to work towards ensuring that our roads are safer for everyone.
“If you have information on close pass incident or other possible road traffic offence, you can submit the details, along with supporting footage, to GoSafe using Operation SNAP (gosafesnap.wales)”