The government is considering making motorists legally responsible, even where they are not at fault, for any accident involving a cyclist or pedestrian. The proposed change to the law would make the most powerful vehicle in any collision liable for insurance and compensation purposes and is a move which is in part intended to encourage more use of environmentally friendly modes of transport.

A cyclist who knocked down a child in Oxford and was convicted of careless cycling under the Road Traffic Act 1988, section 29 demonstrates that, whilst cyclists are often vulnerable, they are also capable of causing harm to others and are most certainly subject to road traffic laws.

Smart cars fitted with CCTV masts and parked at junctions to monitor traffic, are now being piloted by Greater Manchester Police in a bid to drive down accidents caused by driver distraction.