Drivers to be held responsible even when blameless

[Flat in Fifth]

Here we go again.

www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,175-1256235,00.html

The bits which caused me to spray toast crumbs across the FiF breakfast table were:-

Times on Sat 11Sep said:

Drivers may be presumed liable if a child is hit By Ben Webster, Transport Correspondent DRIVERS who knock down children should have to pay compensation even if the victim ran out without looking, according to a report commissioned by the Government. The motorist would be assumed to be responsible in civil proceedings for any collision involving a child in a residential area. Bereaved parents could claim compensation from the driver’s insurers and he would lose any no-claims bonus. The driver could avoid being held responsible only if he could prove that he had taken every reasonable step to avoid the collision.

and

Times on Sat 11Sep said:

The study recommended that the Government should consider introducing the same principle into English law. Nicola Christie, senior researcher in public health at Surrey University and the lead author of the study, said: “While it goes against the grain to assume guilt unless it is proven, this law could help to reduce deaths and injuries because drivers would be more careful.”

and worst of all

Times on Sat 11Sep said:

Zoe Stow, head of RoadPeace, the charity that supports those bereaved and injured by road crashes, said that too many drivers were able to escape responsibility for collisions because of the lack of witnesses: “The driver can easily blame the child because the child may be dead and unable to defend itself. We need to change the burden of proof so that fewer drivers get off scot-free.” Rob Gifford, director of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, said: “Some drivers may be forced to pay out when there was no fault at all on their part. But that is an acceptable price to pay for civilising our streets.”

Now I accept that there are some total prats driving about on the streets, but what about the situation on Friday evening.

Slowed down to 5mph (five!) because of kids and then one of them deliberately stops, looks me straight in the eyes and cycles 3 feet across the front of my bows. 10 mph and he'd have been off and with this proposal I'd have been stuffed.

Words were spoken to the parents and it has gone on the record in case you wondered about any aftermath.

[dazren]

Already being discussed here:

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=123721

DAZ