UNDERCOVER police will pose as cyclists this week to snare drivers who flout road safety.

The officers will ride bikes fitted with cameras as part of operation ‘close pass’. If a vehicle drives too close to the cyclists, PCs further up the road will be radioed.

Inconsiderate drivers will then be pulled over and offered roadside education on safe passing distances. Those who refuse it will be fined £100 and given three points on their licence for the offence of ‘driving a vehicle without reasonable consideration for other road users’.

The initiative is part of charity Brake’s national Road Safety Week, which takes place until November 25.

Roads policing officers from across Dorset will give advice to both cyclists and motorists as part of the week.

PC Heidi Moxam said police “sincerely hope” initiatives like ‘close pass’ will help decrease the number of serious crashes on Dorset’s roads.

The county’s police and crime commissioner Martyn Underhill said more than 100 cyclists and motorcyclists are injured every day in “needless, preventable crashes” across the UK.

“They are among the most vulnerable road users,” he said.

“Road safety is an important issue for our communities and for a small force, Dorset Police is punching well above its weight.

“I encourage everyone to think about the decisions they make while using our roads and to be considerate of other road users and their safety.”

A public consultation on keeping horses and their riders safe on the roads will take place at Durweston Village Hall tomorrow, Thursday, November 22 at 7.30pm. The event, which is hosted by the British Horse Society, will be attended by police. Admission is free and all are welcome.

Road Safety Week in Dorset began with a ‘safe drive stay alive’ presentation in Weymouth (pictured). Representatives from the emergency services talked about their experiences of dealing with collisions to young people from colleges in the area.