Undercutting—the dangerous practice of overtaking and abruptly cutting in front of another vehicle—is an everyday hazard on UK roads. Despite being illegal under Highway Code Rule 163, which requires drivers to leave sufficient space when overtaking, this reckless maneuver is rarely punished. Nowhere is the problem more evident than in London, where buses face undercutting daily, putting passengers, cyclists, and other road users at risk.
The Shocking Scale of the Problem
1. Buses Bear the Brunt
Transport for London (TfL) data reveals:
- 4,500 bus collisions were reported in 2022, with a significant number caused by cars and motorcycles cutting in too closely.
- 12% of bus-involved collisions were linked to dangerous overtaking, including undercutting (TfL Safety Report, 2022).
A Bus Users UK (2021) study found that one in three bus drivers experiences undercutting every single day, often forcing them to slam on the brakes to avoid crashes.
2. Thousands of Close Calls—But Few Consequences
- London bus drivers reported over 20,000 close-pass incidents in 2023 (Met Police FOI request).
- Yet, only 2% of these cases led to prosecutions, highlighting a glaring enforcement gap.
3. Fatal Consequences
Undercutting isn’t just annoying—it’s deadly.
- 2020, London: A cyclist was crushed to death between a bus and a lorry after a van undercut the bus, forcing it to swerve.
- 2023, Southampton: A motorcyclist undercut a bus, lost control, and died—police confirmed the bus driver had no time to react.
Why Is the Met Police Failing to Act?
Despite the clear danger, undercutting remains widely ignored by law enforcement. Key reasons include:
✔ Declining Traffic Police: The Met’s traffic unit has been cut by 30% since 2010, leaving fewer officers to monitor reckless driving.
✔ Underreporting: Many bus companies only report undercutting if a crash occurs—near-misses go unrecorded.
✔ Overreliance on Public Evidence: Most prosecutions come from dashcam or bus camera footage submitted by the public, rather than active policing.
What’s Being Done—And Is It Enough?
- TfL’s “Bus Safe” Initiative: Uses onboard cameras to capture close passes, but few offenders face penalties.
- Operation Vision (Met Police): AI-equipped buses automatically flag dangerous drivers, but the scheme is still in early stages.
The Bottom Line: Enforcement Must Improve
Undercutting is a normalised but deadly driving habit, and without stricter penalties or automated enforcement (like average speed cameras for close passes), buses and vulnerable road users will continue to suffer.
What do you think? Should police impose harsher fines for undercutting? Should bus cameras automatically report offenders? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Sources:
- TfL Safety Report (2022)
- Bus Users UK Study (2021)
- Met Police FOI Data (2023)
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