Cycling plan to blame drivers for all crashes..

swanseajack

swanseajack

swanseajack

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Have had a quick look but couldn't see this posted, if it has then sorry.

MINISTERS are considering making motorists legally responsible for accidents involving cyclists or pedestrians, even if they are not at fault.

Government advisers are pushing for changes in the civil law that will make the most powerful vehicle involved in a collision automatically liable for insurance and compensation purposes...

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6841326.ece
 
Well, if I'm going to get blamed regardless of my fault or not, I may as well flatten them.... ;)
 
Agency charged with promoting cycling in coming up with ideas to promote cycling *SHOCKER*

*facepalm*
 
Yet another excuse the insurance industry would use to put up prices by a third :rolleyes:


I love how these morons in government think that by making motoring harder you will somehow make people use the non existant public transport overnight.

True in some areas there is good coverage and a reliable(ish) service and that should be the goal elsewhere. But for people like me who are self employed the car is essential for my day to day work.

The big problem as i see it is that the public transport ISNT... its private transport now. The public transport system should be state owned and run as a non profit making SERVICE instead of having greedy companies only servicing the profitable routes and letting the rest go hang. Anyone who lives in manchester will remember the problems a while back with bus companies literally fighting to get as many buses as possible on the big studenty runs and letting the rest have 1 bus per hour etc.

As a side not does this now mean cycles will have to be registered and insurance paid? considering they are now liable if they hit a pedestrian. Not everyone has legal cover on home insurance so surely that means all cyclists will HAVE to now have insurance for liabilities. Im going to love to see the reaction from cycling groups when they figure that little bit out for themselves/
 
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I could fall asleep at the wheel of my Range Rover and end up on a train track, and it'd be the train driver's fault then?
And in a collision between two cyclists...?

I'm sure cyclists won't be happy until the Government starts taxing them for it.
 
AFAIK it's the law in a number of other European countries and it works quite well; as someone has mentioned, it makes 4x4 drivers actually car about where they are going instead of them doing dumb stuff because they feel they are indestructible, for example.

Not sure I like the idea of having it implemented, but it's just an incentive for people to take more care.
 
I believe this is pretty much the case in Holland. I have a few Dutch friends and they all say that if you hit a cyclist, you are liable. Agreed though it is a ridiculous proposal. There are many cyclists out there who take crazy risks, driving around the Lake District is a mission and a half sometimes. Whoever is at fault should be held responsible, simple.
 
[DOD]Asprilla;14938544 said:
AFAIK it's the law in a number of other European countries and it works quite well; as someone has mentioned, it makes 4x4 drivers actually car about where they are going instead of them doing dumb stuff because they feel they are indestructible, for example.

Not sure I like the idea of having it implemented, but it's just an incentive for people to take more care.
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Your example is flawed by it simply being a prime example of a 4x4 driver being at fault for not driving with due care and attention. Everyone should drive in such a fashion, including cyclists.
 
[DOD]Asprilla;14938544 said:
AFAIK it's the law in a number of other European countries and it works quite well; as someone has mentioned, it makes 4x4 drivers actually car about where they are going instead of them doing dumb stuff because they feel they are indestructible, for example.

Not sure I like the idea of having it implemented, but it's just an incentive for people to take more care.
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And presumeably makes small car owners carless as they knopw it;s not going to put thier premiums up any to have minor accidents.
 
-BA- said:
Your example is flawed by it simply being a prime example of a 4x4 driver being at fault for not driving with due care and attention. Everyone should drive in such a fashion, including cyclists.
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In my opinion a lot of 4x4 drivers by that type of car to feel safe, and as such take risks they wouldn't in a smaller car. That may (or may not, I don't have any stats) be a cause of accidents.

Obviously everyone should drive in a safe and considerate fashion, did anyone say they shouldnt?

Tefal said:
And presumeably makes small car owners carless as they knopw it;s not going to put thier premiums up any to have minor accidents.
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Not a clue. I'm just telling you that the overwhelming evidence is that accident rates have fallen in countries where this is the law.
 
[DOD]Asprilla;14938616 said:
In my opinion a lot of 4x4 drivers by that type of car to feel safe, and as such take risks they wouldn't in a smaller car. That may (or may not, I don't have any stats) be a cause of accidents.

Obviously everyone should drive in a safe and considerate fashion, did anyone say they shouldnt?



Not a clue. I'm just telling you that the overwhelming evidence is that accident rates have fallen in countries where this is the law.
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I am not at all disputing your statement re. 4x4 drivers and to some extent agree but cyclists should be held liable for their own shortcomings, not some innocent driver who happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time?

Do you think a driver should do 10 years inside for death by dangerous driving because a cyclist who is not wearing a helmet runs a damned red light? Or perhaps he/she should just pay for a new bike, not much use to the dead idiot cyclist who took risks on a vehicle he/she chose to drive on the Queen's highway.
 
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