Definitely sounds positive and a step in the right direction.
You cannot do much about "stupid" be it cyclists or drivers. There can be no code for that. White vans are the worst for passing cyclists without due care.
So very true. Having looked at the new rules in depth, I’m afraid that I cannot help wondering if the (panel?) who thought them up had any idea of what ‘driving’ is really about.
I have been driving for 69 years. Always being a cyclist too, I give due regard to cyclists, as well as pedestrians and riders on horseback.
The problem with the law is that many cyclists have no idea about road safety, and break numerous laws which places them in danger by their own actions.
I also agree that there are drivers who show blatant disregard for the safety of other users of the highway, but the new rules will be hard to enforce. Is this why the government have indicated heavy punishment, especially if the police are challenged?
Just one example - the Code says a driver must give a pedestrian 2 metres of clearance when passing. Since pedestrians often walk as a group, with those nearest to the road being very close to the kerb, there are many busy two-way roads where this clearance is absolutely impossible.
And when a driver is following a large commercial vehicle in busy traffic, the car driver will not see any such pedestrian(s) until the very last minute.
Another example: In slowing traffic, a cyclist catches up with, and passes between car and kerb. The cyclist’s balance deteriorates as he/she also slows down, and then they wobble, make contact with the car, and tumble over.
Who are you going to blame?
And there lies the dilemma. In both cases, the need for care is addressed to the driver, and the pedestrian or cyclist is absolved from any responsibility for causing an accident.
My view is that, whilst proper due care and attention is an obvious necessity (by all parties) it seems that, in the event of incidents occurring under this difficult-to-police ruling, the outcome of blame is heavily loaded towards the driver.