WA cyclist reports four dangerous passes: police issue cautions, no fines
Peter Hatton reported four traffic violations to WA police but received only cautions, not the $400 fines the law allows.
Since 2017, drivers must leave one metre when passing a cyclist at 60 kilometres per hour or less, and 1.5 metres at higher speeds. A violation costs $400 and four demerit points.
Peter Hatton installed cameras on his bike and reported four close passes. Police identified drivers in three cases but issued cautions and driver education, not fines.
In one incident, an officer told him a driver thought they were riding too wide and he should teach them a lesson. Six cyclists have died on WA roads this year.
A road safety foundation says only about 20 per cent of riders even report close passes, and of those, only 30 per cent hear back. Police say cautions are recorded and visible to future officers, but the foundation argues only consistent enforcement will shift driver behaviour.
- $400 fine and 4 demerit points
- Violation penalty
- Six on WA roads
- Cyclist deaths this year
Why it mattersIf drivers face no real penalty, they have no incentive to obey the passing law, leaving cyclists injured or killed.
AustraliaSix cyclists have already died on WA roads in 2026; weak enforcement of safe passing rules puts riders across the state at risk.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 18 h ago
