Even video is not good enough - I use the A2, which in parts is very narrow, goes up blind hump backed hills with solid white lines. When cycling I am in the nearside wheel-rut (which is kept clear of debris) but means that if a vehicle wants to over take they have to cross the central solid white line.
The highway code says
Rule 129
Double white lines where the line nearest you is solid. This means you MUST NOT cross or straddle it unless it is safe and you need to enter adjoining premises or a side road. You may cross the line if necessary, provided the road is clear, to pass a stationary vehicle, or overtake a pedal cycle, horse or road maintenance vehicle, if they are travelling at 10 mph (16 km/h) or less.
I recorded vehicles overtaking me & passed them onto Kent Police. I was advised that unless the Police actually saw the overtake they were not interested. If my video showed the overtaking vehicle causing oncoming traffic problems then they would like to receive it. My thought on taking the videos was that the drivers were putting me in danger, as if they met oncoming traffic they would rather hit me that have a head on collision. I was hoping that the Police would warn the drivers & road safety would be improved, but now I know different.
So now we have a new definition of close overtaking that again is impossible to enforce, as even if you had a range finder that showed the lateral distance the Police would not be able to accept it, because it is not a Police calibrated & maintained & operated system.
My thought is to simply say if overtaking you must be the other side of the central white lines. This could be recorded by video & is simple enough for motorists to follow.
