RSA urges passing drivers to stay clear of cyclists

The Road Safety Authority has stressed the need for drivers to leave a specific clearance distance of 1.5m when passing cyclists as pressure mounts for the requirement to be passed into law.

The RSA was responding yesterday to the initiative of Wexford cyclist Phil Skelton which has now been backed by a road safety officer in the West.

It follows a tragic year for fatalities in 2014 when 12 cyclists were killed on Irish roads — more than double the 2013 figure of five deaths.