THE claim that proposed EU legislation which blames the motorist for accidents would, in turn, absolve the cyclist or pedestrian of guilt is totally 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 to other road users.
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 directive would reduce the number of collisions, leading to a drop, rather than increase, in insurance premiums. Furthermore, the driver would still retain the right to prove in court that the cyclist or pedestrian had caused the collision, if that was the case.
KEVIN MAYNE,
director,
CTC (the national
cyclists' organisation).
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