Drivers could now face a £100 fine and three points for breaking this rule

Driving too close to cyclists could now result in a fine and three points on your licence, according to potential new driving rules. If a driver is caught overtaking a cyclist without leaving enough space between the two, they could face a fine of £100 as well as having points on their licence.

The West Midlands Police and Cambridgeshire Police have both been trialling a pilot operation for two years, giving penalties to drivers who leave less than 1.5m of space for a cyclist when overtaking.

After the success of the scheme, the Department for Transport said that the rules could be introduced across the UK as fears of careless driving is reportedly concerning cyclists and making them less likely to cycle.

The Department for Transport have also secured £500,000 for a new scheme to encourage people to get on their bikes for shorter journeys in the hope that this could reduce the number of traffic accidents.

Roads minister Jesse Norman revealed at a Cycle City conference in Manchester last week that the scheme would hopefully raise awareness of cyclists on UK roads, adding that Bikeability - the training standard for cyclists funded by the Government - would run training sessions for driving instructors so that learner drivers can receive more tuition on how to pass cyclists safely.

He said, "The benefits of cycling and walking are enormous. For people, it means cheaper travel and better health.

"We shouldn't only concentrate on catching and punishing drivers when they make a mistake, but try to ensure that they have the skills and knowledge to drive safely alongside cyclists in all conditions."

This comes after news that wearing the wrong type of sunglasses whilst driving could land you with a fine - and it's actually illegal to wear certain types.