Controversial proposals to make the driver of the most powerful vehicle involved in a car accident liable for damages, whether they were at fault or not, have been put forward in a bid to promote greener transport.
The ideas have been made as part of a governmental consultation process, backed by UK cycling groups, as part of the National Cycling Plan and Active Transport Agency.
The Chief Executive of Cycling England, a Department for Transport funded agency, told media that four key policy changes were needed:
The legal onus should be placed on the motorist in the event of an accident;
Suburban and residential roads should have the speed limit cut to 20mph;
Cycling should be taught to all school children; and
All major planning applications should have cycling provision included.
Under the proposals, the driver would automatically become liable for any insurance and personal injury compensation claims arising from the car accident. And in the event of a cyclist knocking down a pedestrian, the cyclist would be held liable.
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*A replacement vehicle can usually be supplied within 4-6 working hours, where there is an admission of liability from the other person’s insurance company. If this person is not known, their insurance details are not known, they are uninsured or there is a potential dispute over who caused the accident, a replacement vehicle cannot be provided.
