Cyclist's miracle escape as driver loses control of 4x4 hurtling towards him

09 May 2024 , 15:39

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Police at the scene of an incident [file image] (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A cyclist had a heart-stopping moment when an out-of-control 4x4 almost ran him over.

The driver, who reportedly lost control on a bend, narrowly missed the quick-thinking biker - who managed to swerve out of harm's way just in time. Dramatic snapshots from the scene show the 4x4 hurtling around the bend on the wrong side before it whizzes past the cyclist and smashes into bushes at the roadside.

The cyclist veered onto the opposite lane in a desperate bid to dodge the impending crash. This close shave took place in Ilminster, Somerset, back in October last year, but the details have only now come to light. Avon and Somerset Police's Roads Policing and Road Safety Teams took to social media to share the harrowing tale, reports Bristol Live.

Their tweet stated: "Without Due Care (10/2023) Ilminster. Driver lost control just before bend narrowly missing oncoming cyclist who veered out of the way and then stopped just before hitting the informant. In court (04/2024) where driver pleaded guilty by post: 6 Points £480 Fine £85 Costs £192 VS."

In the comments, a person claiming to be the cyclist in the images said: "Dear @ASPRoadSafety. Not sure due care was appropriate for that incident which could have ended so differently. Love from the cyclist in the pictures."

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They were one of several people claiming that driving without due care was an insufficient charge. According to the police website: "The offence of driving without due care and attention (careless driving) is committed when your driving falls below the minimum standard expected of a competent and careful driver and includes driving without reasonable consideration for other road users."

Examples given include driving too close to or turning into the path of another vehicle, unnecessarily staying in an overtaking lane, or dazzling other drivers with un-dipped headlights.

Dangerous driving is 'when driving falls far below the minimum standard expected of a competent and careful driver, and includes behaviour that could potentially endanger yourself or other drivers'. Examples of dangerous driving are speeding, racing, or driving aggressively, ignoring traffic lights, road signs or warnings from passengers, and overtaking dangerously.

Rom Preston-Ellis