Drivers in the Dock

The idea is shit. Innocent until proven guilty. That is the way our system of law works and that is the way it should remain.

That's a ridiculous, simplistic misunderstanding of what is proposed.

In the Netherlands the law leads to a situation where there are clear rules that everyone (traveling by car, bike, or on foot) sticks to. Cyclists have equal importance on the highways as cars. To make this work in practice (ie. for drivers to give-a-fuck) the law recognises the different vulnerability of someone in a car, on a bike, or on foot.

I was commenting on Ed's post, not about the proposal.

You said 'the idea is shit'.

Bad choice of word.

Yes.

:)

The idea is shit. Innocent until proven guilty. That is the way our system of law works and that is the way it should remain.

I probably worded it poorly, right now in the UK, drivers are held responsible if they hit a peds, unless proven otherwise, especially in London, it's quite rare to see drivers honking their horn when peds cross the road.

all we need is the rule apply to cyclists as well, too often there's drivers who knocked down a cyclists and their excuse was 'sorry didn't see you', they're not automatically held responsible like toward peds.

If the rules now apply to cyclists, then drivers would soon be a bit more careful on the road knowing that if he knocked a cyclists down, he's likely to get prosecuted.

or she what? just because it's not a school night doesn't mean you're allowed to spout tallycock around the internet.

???!

it is a school night

No it's not - a school night is "the evening before a school day". In the UK, unlike some other countries, there is no school on a Saturday. Jesus, I've read your various posts over the last few hours and you are, undoubtedly, a cock.

I probably worded it poorly, right now in the UK, drivers are held responsible if they hit a peds, unless proven otherwise, especially in London, it's quite rare to see drivers honking their horn when peds cross the road.

all we need is the rule apply to cyclists as well, too often there's drivers who knocked down a cyclists and their excuse was 'sorry didn't see you', they're not automatically held responsible like toward peds.

If the rules now apply to cyclists, then drivers would soon be a bit more careful on the road knowing that if he knocked a cyclists down, he's likely to get prosecuted.

I don't see how changing the rules will help. Most drivers do drive responsibly and with consideration to other road users. Changing the rules will not stop twats being twats on the road.

More education is needed, not a change in the rules.

In London there is a massive awareness of cyclists. Drivers expect to encounter bikes. In much of the rest of the country drivers expect cyclists to potter along on the pavement on flat tyred mtbs.

Bristol is ok but in Cheltenham (where i now live and work) they freak out when I use the road, and get angry. It's mostly through surprise, confusion and ignorance, but why should that be tollerated. It causes accidents.

But surely that should be addressed through education & not through changing a few rules, especially when the rules that are in place already cover the issue.
Drive with due care and attention to other road users.

I'm not in London and we have our fair share of idiot drivers/cyclists/peds. Changing the rules will not stop them being idiots.

Sometimes a small change in law can have a really big effect on behavior.

No smoking in pubs: A law that reflected a trend – had a big effect on the amount people smoke, and at a smaller cost* than people expected.

*not just ca$h

As you may have guessed I'm a cynic. I really hope it works.

Are drivers going to counter it by demanding that all peds and cyclists have to have some form of liability insurance.

And Tree Trunks has been deleted.

Are drivers going to counter it by demanding that all peds and cyclists have to have some form of liability insurance.

Hopefully they'll just enjoy their bikes more because it'll be nice and safe!