Police van passed within inches of me, says angry cyclist

Video: Rider slams driving of vehicle as the sort of offence force says it is trying to stamp out

A Dundee cycle commuter has posted video of the moment a police van came “within inches” of colliding with him on a bend.

David Evans, 31, says the incident is an example of the kind of “close pass” the police have vowed to stamp out by other drivers – and says the officer involved should be setting a better example.

The incident happened on Claypotts Road in Broughty Ferry shortly before 8am last Thursday as David was making his way from his home in Monifieth to his work in Dundee.

The father of two said: “Seeing it was the police was surprising. There was all manner of silly driving going on – overtaking on a blind corner, a close pass and into oncoming traffic. It was ill judged.”

Rule 163 of the Highway Code says drivers should “give motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car”.

It also says drivers should “give way to oncoming vehicles before passing parked vehicles or other obstructions on your side of the road”.

David said the police driver failed to do either of these things and hopes his video will be a reminder to everyone of the need to take care – because he has first-hand experience of what can go wrong.

David cycles to work every day and began recording his rides after being left injured in an accident.

He explained: “I was involved in a serious accident last year where the driver denied responsibility and because there wasn’t any footage or witnesses, bar the driver involved, there was no recompense for my injuries or possessions.

“I decided I needed to record my rides should anything like that happen again. I needed to protect myself against drivers doing dumb things and getting away with it.”

Although his rides sometimes document instances of bad driving, David says most motorists are courteous and careful.

“Cyclists are treated generally well, but there are exceptions and incidents like this highlight that people have to be vigilant when they are behind the wheel,” he said.

After Police Scotland’s Tayside Division was made aware of the footage, a spokesman said: “We will look into the matter and establish the circumstances”.

There was all manner of silly driving going on

Above: stills from the video footage shot by cyclist David Evans, left, as he passed along Claypotts Road in Broughty Ferry, when he says a police van passed incredibly close to him.