A ROAD safety campaign hoping to raise awareness of the dangers between cyclists and motorists is being led by the police this week.

Thames Valley and Hampshire's Joint Roads Policing Unit will be supporting the cycle safety scheme 'Give Space, Be Safe' from Monday 20 to Friday, 24.

The aim of the campaign is to educate drivers of the risks when overtaking too closely to cyclists and the importance of cyclists of making themselves more visible on the roads.

Sergeant Rob Heard, from the Joint Operations Roads Safety Team, said: “A close pass not only presents a danger to the cyclist, but it is also intimidating.

“The Highway Code states, overtake only when it is safe and legal to do so and that drivers should allow vulnerable road users as much room as they would when overtaking a car."

Since January 2014, there have been 1,691 cyclists killed or seriously injured across the Thames Valley and Hampshire.

Out of those people, 82 per cent were injured on urban roads and 58 per cent near a junction or a roundabout.

Police officers will be carrying out enforcement activity in key locations across the Thames Valley, working with local fire services, councils and Highways England road safety teams.

Sgt Rob Heard added: "A driver deemed to be driving dangerously close can be prosecuted and taken to court.

"Cyclists also found to be riding in a careless or dangerous manner will also be stopped and dealt with appropriately.

“Ultimately, we are about making the roads safer for all and making sure we all get to our destinations safely.”