A MOTORIST has admitted that he drove too close to a cyclist on the West Tamar Highway, a court has heard.
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James Paul Ballard, 44, pleaded guilty in the Launceston Magistrates Court today to having driven without reasonable consideration for other road users.
Police prosecutor Brad Collins told the court that on May 3 last year, Ballard was driving his Toyota Corolla south along the West Tamar Highway in the left-hand lane.
Mr Collins said that at the same time, a cyclist was riding a bicycle in the same direction, in the lane to the left of Ballard's lane.
The prosecutor said that Ballard came within 30 to 60 centimetres of the cyclist as he passed the bicycle.
The cyclist reported the incident to police.
Mr Collins said police talked to Ballard on October 26 and he told them he did recall an incident where he came within "a foot or two feet" of a cyclist.
The prosecutor said Ballard also told police that the cyclist was "going back and forth" between the parking lane and traffic lane, while Ballard insisted that he maintained his position within his lane.
Defence solicitor Emily Judd said her instructions were that the cyclist had been moving from the parking lane into the actual carriageway, and upon seeing her client's car approaching, the cyclist moved over but not far enough.
Ms Judd said that Ballard however admitted that he drove too close to the cyclist, while his car was staying within its lane.
Magistrate Michael Brett said that all road users should show reasonable consideration for each other, whether they were cyclists or motorists.
Mr Brett ordered Ballard to be of good behaviour for six months, without conviction.