Kenilworth cyclist injured by 'careless driver' hits out at resulting punishment for driver

By Kirstie Smith
Published 26th Sep 2023, 17:02 BST
Updated 28th Sep 2023, 13:32 BST
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He is an amateur cyclist who travels around 8,000 miles a year on his bike.

Paul Barfoot was cycling down Priory Road in July when he was knocked off his bike by a car.

Paul said he was left with serious injuries and he feels the subsequent punishment – a driver’s awareness course – was not adequate.

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In a letter sent to Paul from the Traffic Process Unit at Warwickshire Police, a spokesperson said that the unit concluded the driver was ‘sufficiently blameworthy to justify further police action’.

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Cyclist Paul Barfoot was travelling through Kenilworth when he was knocked off his bike by a car. After being injured by the event and having his bike written off he said he feels the driver's punishment was not harsh enough. Photo by Escape to the PyreneesCyclist Paul Barfoot was travelling through Kenilworth when he was knocked off his bike by a car. After being injured by the event and having his bike written off he said he feels the driver's punishment was not harsh enough. Photo by Escape to the Pyrenees
Cyclist Paul Barfoot was travelling through Kenilworth when he was knocked off his bike by a car. After being injured by the event and having his bike written off he said he feels the driver's punishment was not harsh enough. Photo by Escape to the Pyrenees

But towards the bottom of the letter it said: “While there is sufficient evidence in this case to justify a prosecution, there is no provision in law for a magistrate to order such retraining and the imposition of a fine and penalty points will not do anything to correct poor driving habits.”

Speaking about the incident, Paul said: “The driver told me the reason they quickly pulled from one side of the road to the other – in front of my path without looking – was to speak with her daughter on the phone.