This is Gloucestershire --
ROAD accidents happen for all sorts of reasons and between all sorts of vehicles.
It would surely be totally unfair to assume that one sort of vehicle would always be responsible for causing the accident.
But, if the latest idea from the Liberal Democrats was to become law – thankfully there's as much chance of it snowing tomorrow – we'd be expected to put common sense to one side.
In their latest attempt to promote cycling – highly commendable in itself – they've lost all touch with reality.
A motorist, the Lib Dems say, should be presumed to be liable whenever there is a crash with a cyclist.
Wrong. A motorist is liable when he or she has caused the accident.
Taking their views to its logical conclusion, a cyclist could ride down a pavement (illegally), pull out into flowing traffic, plough into the side of a car – and it would be the driver's fault.
And, because the cyclist doesn't have to be insured for being on the road in the first place, the car driver would not only be to blame, they would have to pay for the repairs as well.
Cheltenham's MP Martin Horwood is positive about the proposal, saying it would encourage cycling proficiency for children.
It clearly wouldn't. It would just be a blank cheque for cyclists to chase motorists through the courts.
The fact that similar policies apparently already exist elsewhere in Europe is irrelevant.
Most cyclists ride safely. Most motorists drive safely.
When one collides with the other, sometimes it will be a complete accident, sometimes one of the two people involved will be responsible.
"Every case should be looked at on it merits," says road safety consultant Keith Fagan. Dead right.
WE have argued that the NHS should find the money for young children like Annabelle Harrison-Rowles to have a vital operation.
But, when it failed to do so, her family made sure it could still go ahead in America by raising £55,000.
The smile on Annabelle's face as she uses her walker says it all.
And the news that she is expected to be able to take her first steps within the next year is wonderful. She and her family are true fighters. Reported by This is 9 hours ago.
ROAD accidents happen for all sorts of reasons and between all sorts of vehicles.
It would surely be totally unfair to assume that one sort of vehicle would always be responsible for causing the accident.
But, if the latest idea from the Liberal Democrats was to become law – thankfully there's as much chance of it snowing tomorrow – we'd be expected to put common sense to one side.
In their latest attempt to promote cycling – highly commendable in itself – they've lost all touch with reality.
A motorist, the Lib Dems say, should be presumed to be liable whenever there is a crash with a cyclist.
Wrong. A motorist is liable when he or she has caused the accident.
Taking their views to its logical conclusion, a cyclist could ride down a pavement (illegally), pull out into flowing traffic, plough into the side of a car – and it would be the driver's fault.
And, because the cyclist doesn't have to be insured for being on the road in the first place, the car driver would not only be to blame, they would have to pay for the repairs as well.
Cheltenham's MP Martin Horwood is positive about the proposal, saying it would encourage cycling proficiency for children.
It clearly wouldn't. It would just be a blank cheque for cyclists to chase motorists through the courts.
The fact that similar policies apparently already exist elsewhere in Europe is irrelevant.
Most cyclists ride safely. Most motorists drive safely.
When one collides with the other, sometimes it will be a complete accident, sometimes one of the two people involved will be responsible.
"Every case should be looked at on it merits," says road safety consultant Keith Fagan. Dead right.
WE have argued that the NHS should find the money for young children like Annabelle Harrison-Rowles to have a vital operation.
But, when it failed to do so, her family made sure it could still go ahead in America by raising £55,000.
The smile on Annabelle's face as she uses her walker says it all.
And the news that she is expected to be able to take her first steps within the next year is wonderful. She and her family are true fighters. Reported by This is 9 hours ago.