21 January 2010, Scottish TV - Living

A new Government policy proposes punishing motorists for accidents involving cyclists, regardless of who is to blame.

The Scottish Government are considering plans to make motorists responsible for any accident involving cyclists, regardless of who is to blame. The measure aims to encourage more people to get on their bike, but car drivers are furious at the possibility that they could be punished for an accident that is not their fault.

The policy has been adopted in Germany and Holland where campaigners say it has had a great influence in improving attitudes towards cyclists. However, will Scottish drivers be willing to bear the brunt?

Al Fraser, a former policeman and instructor at the Knockhill Centre for Driving Excellence, is vehemently opposed to the issue, arguing that it is a “draconian” method.

“You do see bad driving and bad cycling, but this potential measure by the government is a bit draconian. We all should be responsible for our own actions and I think that it has got to be taken on its own merits.

“A simple scenario could be that I’m driving in my car or sitting in a line of traffic, stopped and a cyclist hits me, then I’m at fault.”

Watch the 7:27 min segment . . .

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