THE claim that proposed EU legislation governing blame for collisions between motorists and cyclists or pedestrians absolves the cyclist or pedestrians of guilt is wrong.

And the claim that motorists' insurance premiums would rise by £50 as a result of the introduction of such legislation is also wrong.

In countries where this legislation already exists -- France, Belgium and Scandinavian states for example -- insurance premiums have not risen significantly. Instead, motorists drive with more care showing consideration towards those sharing the road.

One would hope that this EU derivative, were it to become UK law and be coupled with other road safety measures, would encourage drivers to speed less often and turn mobile phones off when at the wheel.

Speeding is responsible for more than a third of the 3,500 road deaths in the UK each year. And mobile phone use has been shown by the Transport Research Laboratory to be more dangerous than driving when drunk or under the influence of drugs.

Cyclists and pedestrians are more likely to be killed in the UK than anywhere else in Europe, despite Britain having some of the lowest rates of cycling and walking.

Judging by the continental example, the introduction of this EU derivative would reduce the number of road collisions, leading to a drop rather than increase in motor insurance premiums. Furthermore, the driver would retain the right to prove in court that the cyclist or pedestrian had caused a collision, if that was the cause.

KEVIN MAYNE, Director, CTC -- the national cyclists' organisation, Meadrow, Godalming, GU7 3HS.