WILLIAM Neilson (Letters, July 9) is the latest to seek to overthrow the basic concept of our justice system that you are innocent until proven guilty. I understand that the introduction of strict liability for accidents involving motor vehicles and bicycles, which he seeks, relates to civil rather than criminal law. But a motorist who collides with a cyclist would still face penalties if unable to prove their innocence. Increased insurance premiums, which can last for some years, are at very least as severe a penalty as a one-off criminal fine. Certainly motorists who drive dangerously should face a penalty, but only if they are proven to be guilty.
Maybe I am being cynical in thinking that many proponents of strict liability are uninsured cyclists seeking access to motorists’ insurance cover. But that, surely, is best addressed by making insurance compulsory for all cyclists wishing to cycle on public roads or cycle paths.
I agree that action is needed to improve the safety of cyclists, but this can easily be done by legislation. Legislation was needed to make the wearing of seat belts in cars compulsory. And it was needed to make motorcyclists wear appropriate helmets and to have their headlights on when in motion. Sensible cyclists already protect themselves by wearing cycle helmets and they also make sure they are seen by wearing high visibility jackets. They also have bright, steady front and rear lights which make them easily seen in poor light.
Sadly, far too many cyclists ignore these basic sensible measures, riding without a helmet and preferring dark clothing and pathetically dull flashing lights (or sometimes no lights at all). Just as idiot drivers and motor cyclists needed to be ordered to take sensible measures to make themselves safer, it seems that idiot cyclists need legislation to force them to protect themselves from their stupidity.
Alistair Easton, Edinburgh EH12.
HOW heartwarming it was to read that William Neilson (Letters, July 9) understands the power of the machine, ie his car, that he uses on the roads, with its ability, if handled wrongly, to maim and kill people. The UK is one of only give countries in Europe that has no system of presumed or strict liability and it is high time that this changed. We should not subject the families of people killed on our roads to the months, and sometimes years, of waiting to get any recompense or compensation for their loved one.
Patricia Fort, Glasgow G1.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel