Ok......
Use of a helmet when using a mobile phone may be advisory, BUT is not compulsory.
Should a cyclist contrive to cycle into your vehicle (or a pedestrian decide to step out in front of you and collide with your vehicle) is irrelevant to the amount of 'road tax' they pay as the tax is based on the CO2 emissions of the road user, each road user pays the relevant amount for their CO2 emissions. In Europe the motorised road user is assumed to be at fault in the event of an accident or collision, it is a 'default' position of the law unless proven otherwise. Maybe because the car user is 'remote and secure' within their 'armoured' vehicle where as the other road users are just soft and slightly malleable human beings with no crumple zones.
There seems to be a greater appreciation of the vulnerability of cyclists and pedestrians and ergo a much more understanding interaction between road users and a lot more respect all round.
Insurance goes up when some unscrupulous numbty claims for whiplash after a minor 'fender bender'.
My response may seem a bit over the top but I am a wee bit pissed
I am a pedestrian, a cyclist, a car driver, bus driver, a lorry driver and an emergency responder (blue light trained) and I fundamentally believe that the motorist has far too much power. cities are ruined, strangled by motor use.
as to the cyclist never being at fault......well accidents do happen
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-22397918 but rarely have I seen a manslaughter charge for the killing of a cyclist, infact i would say that by far, the motorist gets off relatively easy for the accidental killing of pedestrians or cyclists.
Back on topic.... tail gaters are my pet hate ! I received a 3 point penalty and £60 fine for averaging 58mph on an empty motorway, caught by a "SAFETY CAMERA", yet this safety camera is unable to capture unsafe driving such as tail gating or erratic driving behaviour. More traffic cops please.
Yes, but who's insurance premium goes up when a cyclist claims for head injuries as a result of an accident? We all know the cyclist is never at fault...
Anyway, back on subject. This new law is great in theory but as the police are unable to enforce a similar law regarding the use of mobile phones behind the wheel 10 years after it was introduced I fail to see how it will make a difference.
The way things are going,it wont be long before we have to have the correct training/licence/whatever to be able to exercise any FREE WILL whatsoever,even down to deciding what to have for breakfast,and only after we've paid the relevent 'free will tax' to do so
