With school starting in just a few weeks, police are planning more targeted enforcement of Houston’s Safe Passing law. The ordinance says drivers have to maintain a three-foot distance when they are passing a cyclist.

On a warm morning east of downtown, Houston police demonstrated how they go after drivers who pass too close to cyclists.

For over a year now, police have been using a radar device that attaches to the handlebars of an undercover bike. It measures whether a driver is passing too close. It's been approved by the courts and police can use it to give tickets.

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said everyone has to learn to share the road safely.

“It's very rare for somebody to be hit on a bicycle and not end up seriously injured or dead,” said Acevedo.

That increased enforcement is welcomed by the group Bike Houston. Advocacy Director Jessica Wiggins says cyclists are often frustrated because they don't feel they're being respected.

“We need everyone to be aware that we're on the road and more vulnerable than people in cars,” added Wiggins.

Acevedo says they'll target their enforcement to different parts of the city where you have a lot of cyclists. He says HPD will also ticket cyclists who break traffic laws.

If you noticed some activity east of downtown this morning @houstonpolice were demonstrating how they catch drivers that come too close to cyclists. They do it by using a radar device on an undercover bike. More this afternoon on @HPMNews887 #cycling #bikes #safety pic.twitter.com/voVA25me7W — Gail Delaughter (@Gail_HPM) July 26, 2018

Houston Police are near downtown this morning demonstrating #bike radar equipment to enforce the city’s safe passing law @HPMNews887 @HoustonPubMedia pic.twitter.com/jEPQtPsgev — Gail Delaughter (@Gail_HPM) July 26, 2018

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