Cyclist records dangerously close calls with drivers after six deaths

Since installing front and rear cameras on his bicycle last year, Peter Hatton has made four reports of dangerously close calls with drivers who were flouting the safe passing law.Since 2017, drivers have been required to leave a one-metre gap when passing a cyclist at 60 kilometres an hour or less and 1.5m when overtaking at a higher speed.Drivers who fail to do so incur four demerit points and a $400 fine.Peter Hatton has documented his close calls with motorists. (Supplied)Mr Hatton said police were unable to identify the driver in the first incident he reported and that the other three resulted in cautions with driver education."[In one instance] in the debrief I had with the investigating officer, they mentioned that this gentleman had thought we were riding three abreast and he should perhaps teach us a lesson," he said."Why issue a caution when there's a fine and penalties associated with that?"Peter Hatton has purchased cameras for his bike. (ABC News: Samantha Goerling)Six cyclists have died on Western Australia's roads so far this year and Mr Hatton says he has become increasingly concerned about his safety."I have a high-vis helmet, high-vis shirts, reflectors on my ankles, I have three flashing red lights on the back of my bike, one flashing white light on the front," he said."Getting home safely is everything."Under-reporting of close passesPolice say the safety of all road users is taken seriously and that every report is assessed on individual circumstances and the evidence available."Depending on those circumstances, the appropriate response may include education, a caution, an infringement or other enforcement action," WA Police said in a statement."A caution is a formal warning which is recorded and is visible to officers who may encounter the recipient in the future."Cyclists say it's time to move past cautions and fine drivers who get too close when overtaking. (ABC News: James Carmody)Amy's Foundation, formed in honour of Amy Gillet, a top cyclist killed in a bicycle accident in Germany, campaigned for the safe passing laws now in place nationwide.Managing director Katherine Bates said the foundation's surveys of riders indicated the issue was under-reported.Katherine Bates says only one in five cyclists report close passes in WA. (ABC News: Dean Caton)"We know that, from Western Australia, only about 20 per cent of people who experience close passes on their bikes even bother to report it," she said."Of that 20 per cent, only 30 per cent then proceed to even hear back from the police."It keeps people off bikes and the power imbalance firmly in the hands of drivers."It's only consistent enforcement that will make a difference."WA Police say each incident is assessed on an individual basis. (ABC News: James Carmody)The WA Road Safety Commission said it was working with peak body WestCycle to make roads safer."Real change is possible when we have a shift in culture that recognises that every person sharing the road deserves to get home safely," the commission said in a statement."The key focus of the partnership includes an engaging Ride Safely Together social media campaign promoting mutual respect between cyclists and drivers, with a particular focus on compliance with the safe minimum passing distance."