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Irresponsible cyclists criticised for not using lights at night



 
 
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  #1  
Old March 2nd 12, 06:04 PM posted to uk.rec.cycling,uk.transport
Mr Benn[_5_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 231
Default Irresponsible cyclists criticised for not using lights at night

ROAD users in Gloucester have criticised cyclists who don't use lights.

As The Citizen reported on Wednesday, the city's MP Richard Graham has
called for manufacturers to install lights on bicycles.

His stance was backed by Graham Foot, who runs the Slam69 bicycle shop at
the Gloucester Business Park.

Both of them are concerned too many cyclists drive in the dark with no
lights or reflectors.

On our website www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk, reader Sheba2010: "I believe
lights are a must both back and front - some cyclists seem to feel that
because they are on the correct side of the road they only need rear lights
as the traffic comes from behind."

Others told of their personal experiences battling with space for cyclists.

Zinger1 said: "As a professional driver you can imagine I see a lot of
strange things on our roads.

"Probably one of the most disturbing is the lack of visibility where
cyclists are concerned.

"One incident in December still makes me shudder, when I think of the
possible outcome if I had not seen the cyclist in time.

"It was dark and raining heavily as I drove up Frogfurlong Lane, and I
missed one by two or three inches."

Some online readers wanted police to come down on the culprits harder.

Lazy

Comsic added: "In Weston Road just recently, I saw two PCSOs step into the
road to allow a cyclist to pass on the pavement.

"What sort of message does that send out."

Lescalier wrote: "I agree with this, bikes should be fitted with non
removable lights that are always on via a dynamo by the manufacturers. Make
it law. While we are at it, why not do the same for all vehicles."

Ladybugs added: "All cyclists should have to take some kind of test the same
as car owners, as some cyclists are lethal on the roads.

"They should have insurance and I don't mean just to cover the cost of
replacing their bikes.

"If they are found to be flouting the rules of the road they should have
their cycles confiscated until they pass another test.

"Perhaps this way we would get rid of some of the loonies that currently
cycle."

A fellow reader called Merrcat Manor said: "I would say it's mostly older
people that don't use lights.

"In general, the lycra clad helmet wearers use lights, it's the others, and
they are mostly middle aged, lazy and stupid. As said, it's only when they
have an accident that they will come up against it."

SarahJones78 wrote: "This is a real problem - especially in Bristol Road.

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co....ail/story.html

Ads
  #2  
Old March 2nd 12, 07:32 PM posted to uk.rec.cycling,uk.transport
Dave - Cyclists VOR
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 7,703
Default Irresponsible cyclists criticised for not using lights at night

On 02/03/2012 17:04, Mr Benn wrote:
ROAD users in Gloucester have criticised cyclists who don't use lights.

As The Citizen reported on Wednesday, the city's MP Richard Graham has
called for manufacturers to install lights on bicycles.

His stance was backed by Graham Foot, who runs the Slam69 bicycle shop
at the Gloucester Business Park.


I wonder if he sells lights?

Both of them are concerned too many cyclists drive in the dark with no
lights or reflectors.

On our website www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk, reader Sheba2010: "I
believe lights are a must both back and front - some cyclists seem to
feel that because they are on the correct side of the road they only
need rear lights as the traffic comes from behind."

Others told of their personal experiences battling with space for cyclists.

Zinger1 said: "As a professional driver you can imagine I see a lot of
strange things on our roads.

"Probably one of the most disturbing is the lack of visibility where
cyclists are concerned.

"One incident in December still makes me shudder, when I think of the
possible outcome if I had not seen the cyclist in time.

"It was dark and raining heavily as I drove up Frogfurlong Lane, and I
missed one by two or three inches."

Some online readers wanted police to come down on the culprits harder.

Lazy

Comsic added: "In Weston Road just recently, I saw two PCSOs step into
the road to allow a cyclist to pass on the pavement.

"What sort of message does that send out."


Someone should dob them in to their gaffers.

Lescalier wrote: "I agree with this, bikes should be fitted with non
removable lights that are always on via a dynamo by the manufacturers.
Make it law. While we are at it, why not do the same for all vehicles."

Ladybugs added: "All cyclists should have to take some kind of test the
same as car owners, as some cyclists are lethal on the roads.


Good idea.

"They should have insurance and I don't mean just to cover the cost of
replacing their bikes.


Unless they have a fridge freezer.

"If they are found to be flouting the rules of the road they should have
their cycles confiscated until they pass another test.


Gets better all the time.

"Perhaps this way we would get rid of some of the loonies that currently
cycle."


I've suggested hunting them down with packs of dogs.

--
Dave - Cyclists VOR. "Many people barely recognise the bicycle as a
legitimate mode of transport; it is either a toy for children or a
vehicle fit only for the poor and/or strange," Dave Horton - Lancaster
University
  #3  
Old March 3rd 12, 06:32 AM posted to uk.rec.cycling,uk.transport
Simon Mason[_4_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 9,242
Default Number of motorists fined for using mobiles jumps by a third in last year

But will upping the fine to £100 a pop make any difference?

QUOTE:

Motorists are adopting a devil-may-care attitude towards illegally
using their mobile phones at the wheel, with the number of drivers
fined for doing so rising by a third over the past year to more than
171,000. What’s more, when the figures are viewed against research
into motorists’ self-reported use of mobiles while driving, it’s clear
that the vast majority of those breaking the law and putting lives at
risk are going unpunished.

According to a Freedom of Information request conducted by the insurer
Swiftcover, to which 41 of the 43 police forces in England and Wales
responded, over 171,000 motorists were fined £60 and had their driving
licences endorsed with three penalty points over the last 12 months,
reports Mail Online. That compares to 115,900 in 2008.

Swiftcover added that it had conducted research among drivers which
suggested that less than 3 per cent of those admitting using their
mobile phone while driving are actually getting caught and fined.

Younger drivers accessing social networking sites such as Facebook and
Twitter was also highlighted as an area of particular concern, which
was also a key finding of the 2011 edition of the RAC’s annual Report
on Motoring.

According to road safety campaigners, the rise in the number of
motorists being fined – a reversal of a dip observed in 2008 after
stiffer penalties were introduced – is due to many drivers feeling
that they can get away with it because of relatively low levels of
enforcement and the fact that the punishment provides an insufficient
deterrent.

Katie Shephard, director of Brake, told the Mail: “If 171,000 drivers
have been caught, perhaps the penalties aren’t high enough.

“There is no call important enough to risk your life or that or
another road user. Our message to all drivers is switch off your
mobile when behind the wheel.”

Robin Reames, chief claims officer at Swiftcover, pointed out that
drivers who caused a collision while using their mobile phones risked
their insurance being rendered void, and could also face more serious
sanctions than a fixed penalty notice depending on the charges
brought.

“Not only do you face fines, disqualification or even the possibility
of a jail sentence, but anyone who crashes their vehicle while on the
phone will be unable to make a claim with their insurer,” he
explained.

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning, quoted by the Mail, said: “To make
sure drivers take this seriously we are increasing the fine for the
offence from £60 to between £80 and £100 next year.”

http://road.cc/content/news/49673-nu...hird-last-year

--
Simon Mason
  #4  
Old March 3rd 12, 08:16 AM posted to uk.rec.cycling,uk.transport
Doug[_3_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 5,927
Default Number of motorists fined for using mobiles jumps by a third inlast year

On Mar 3, 5:32*am, Simon Mason wrote:
But will upping the fine to £100 a pop make any difference?

QUOTE:

Motorists are adopting a devil-may-care attitude towards illegally
using their mobile phones at the wheel, with the number of drivers
fined for doing so rising by a third over the past year to more than
171,000. What’s more, when the figures are viewed against research
into motorists’ self-reported use of mobiles while driving, it’s clear
that the vast majority of those breaking the law and putting lives at
risk are going unpunished.

According to a Freedom of Information request conducted by the insurer
Swiftcover, to which 41 of the 43 police forces in England and Wales
responded, over 171,000 motorists were fined £60 and had their driving
licences endorsed with three penalty points over the last 12 months,
reports Mail Online. That compares to 115,900 in 2008.

Swiftcover added that it had conducted research among drivers which
suggested that less than 3 per cent of those admitting using their
mobile phone while driving are actually getting caught and fined.

Younger drivers accessing social networking sites such as Facebook and
Twitter was also highlighted as an area of particular concern, which
was also a key finding of the 2011 edition of the RAC’s annual Report
on Motoring.

According to road safety campaigners, the rise in the number of
motorists being fined – a reversal of a dip observed in 2008 after
stiffer penalties were introduced – is due to many drivers feeling
that they can get away with it because of relatively low levels of
enforcement and the fact that the punishment provides an insufficient
deterrent.

Katie Shephard, director of Brake, told the Mail: “If 171,000 drivers
have been caught, perhaps the penalties aren’t high enough.

“There is no call important enough to risk your life or that or
another road user. Our message to all drivers is switch off your
mobile when behind the wheel.”

Robin Reames, chief claims officer at Swiftcover, pointed out that
drivers who caused a collision while using their mobile phones risked
their insurance being rendered void, and could also face more serious
sanctions than a fixed penalty notice depending on the charges
brought.

“Not only do you face fines, disqualification or even the possibility
of a jail sentence, but anyone who crashes their vehicle while on the
phone will be unable to make a claim with their insurer,” he
explained.

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning, quoted by the Mail, said: “To make
sure drivers take this seriously we are increasing the fine for the
offence from £60 to between £80 and £100 next year.”

http://road.cc/content/news/49673-nu...d-using-mobile...

This is appalling and putting lives at even more risk on our roads. If
a driver crashes and kills someone while on the phone with no
witnesses they will probably be allowed to get away with it. Phone use
has become such an integral part of everyday life that I doubt that
£100 fine will act as any sort of a deterrent. Only a lifetime driving
ban and several years imprisonment for killing someone would suffice.

-- .
A driving licence is sometimes a licence to kill.

  #5  
Old March 3rd 12, 09:31 AM posted to uk.rec.cycling,uk.transport
Mrcheerful[_3_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,662
Default Number of motorists fined for using mobiles jumps by a third in last year


"Doug" wrote in message
...
On Mar 3, 5:32 am, Simon Mason wrote:
But will upping the fine to £100 a pop make any difference?

QUOTE:

Motorists are adopting a devil-may-care attitude towards illegally
using their mobile phones at the wheel, with the number of drivers
fined for doing so rising by a third over the past year to more than
171,000. What’s more, when the figures are viewed against research
into motorists’ self-reported use of mobiles while driving, it’s clear
that the vast majority of those breaking the law and putting lives at
risk are going unpunished.

According to a Freedom of Information request conducted by the insurer
Swiftcover, to which 41 of the 43 police forces in England and Wales
responded, over 171,000 motorists were fined £60 and had their driving
licences endorsed with three penalty points over the last 12 months,
reports Mail Online. That compares to 115,900 in 2008.

Swiftcover added that it had conducted research among drivers which
suggested that less than 3 per cent of those admitting using their
mobile phone while driving are actually getting caught and fined.

Younger drivers accessing social networking sites such as Facebook and
Twitter was also highlighted as an area of particular concern, which
was also a key finding of the 2011 edition of the RAC’s annual Report
on Motoring.

According to road safety campaigners, the rise in the number of
motorists being fined – a reversal of a dip observed in 2008 after
stiffer penalties were introduced – is due to many drivers feeling
that they can get away with it because of relatively low levels of
enforcement and the fact that the punishment provides an insufficient
deterrent.

Katie Shephard, director of Brake, told the Mail: “If 171,000 drivers
have been caught, perhaps the penalties aren’t high enough.

“There is no call important enough to risk your life or that or
another road user. Our message to all drivers is switch off your
mobile when behind the wheel.”

Robin Reames, chief claims officer at Swiftcover, pointed out that
drivers who caused a collision while using their mobile phones risked
their insurance being rendered void, and could also face more serious
sanctions than a fixed penalty notice depending on the charges
brought.

“Not only do you face fines, disqualification or even the possibility
of a jail sentence, but anyone who crashes their vehicle while on the
phone will be unable to make a claim with their insurer,” he
explained.

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning, quoted by the Mail, said: “To make
sure drivers take this seriously we are increasing the fine for the
offence from £60 to between £80 and £100 next year.”

http://road.cc/content/news/49673-nu...d-using-mobile...

This is appalling and putting lives at even more risk on our roads. If
a driver crashes and kills someone while on the phone with no
witnesses they will probably be allowed to get away with it. Phone use
has become such an integral part of everyday life that I doubt that
£100 fine will act as any sort of a deterrent. Only a lifetime driving
ban and several years imprisonment for killing someone would suffice.

-- .
A driving licence is sometimes a licence to kill.

What about when a cyclist kills a pedestrian, will they also get several
years inside and a ban from the road?


  #6  
Old March 4th 12, 09:33 AM posted to uk.rec.cycling,uk.transport
Doug[_3_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 5,927
Default Number of motorists fined for using mobiles jumps by a third inlast year

On Mar 3, 8:31*am, "Mrcheerful" wrote:
"Doug" wrote in message

...
On Mar 3, 5:32 am, Simon Mason wrote:







But will upping the fine to £100 a pop make any difference?


QUOTE:


Motorists are adopting a devil-may-care attitude towards illegally
using their mobile phones at the wheel, with the number of drivers
fined for doing so rising by a third over the past year to more than
171,000. What’s more, when the figures are viewed against research
into motorists’ self-reported use of mobiles while driving, it’s clear
that the vast majority of those breaking the law and putting lives at
risk are going unpunished.


According to a Freedom of Information request conducted by the insurer
Swiftcover, to which 41 of the 43 police forces in England and Wales
responded, over 171,000 motorists were fined £60 and had their driving
licences endorsed with three penalty points over the last 12 months,
reports Mail Online. That compares to 115,900 in 2008.


Swiftcover added that it had conducted research among drivers which
suggested that less than 3 per cent of those admitting using their
mobile phone while driving are actually getting caught and fined.


Younger drivers accessing social networking sites such as Facebook and
Twitter was also highlighted as an area of particular concern, which
was also a key finding of the 2011 edition of the RAC’s annual Report
on Motoring.


According to road safety campaigners, the rise in the number of
motorists being fined – a reversal of a dip observed in 2008 after
stiffer penalties were introduced – is due to many drivers feeling
that they can get away with it because of relatively low levels of
enforcement and the fact that the punishment provides an insufficient
deterrent.


Katie Shephard, director of Brake, told the Mail: “If 171,000 drivers
have been caught, perhaps the penalties aren’t high enough.


“There is no call important enough to risk your life or that or
another road user. Our message to all drivers is switch off your
mobile when behind the wheel.”


Robin Reames, chief claims officer at Swiftcover, pointed out that
drivers who caused a collision while using their mobile phones risked
their insurance being rendered void, and could also face more serious
sanctions than a fixed penalty notice depending on the charges
brought.


“Not only do you face fines, disqualification or even the possibility
of a jail sentence, but anyone who crashes their vehicle while on the
phone will be unable to make a claim with their insurer,” he
explained.


Road Safety Minister Mike Penning, quoted by the Mail, said: “To make
sure drivers take this seriously we are increasing the fine for the
offence from £60 to between £80 and £100 next year.”


http://road.cc/content/news/49673-nu...d-using-mobile...


This is appalling and putting lives at even more risk on our roads. If
a driver crashes and kills someone while on the phone with no
witnesses they will probably be allowed to get away with it. Phone use
has become such an integral part of everyday life that I doubt that
£100 fine will act as any sort of a deterrent. Only a lifetime driving
ban and several years imprisonment for killing someone would suffice.


What about when a cyclist kills a pedestrian, will they also get several
years inside and a ban from the road?

..
I would hope so and similarly when a pedestrian kills a cyclist during
a collision. Fortunately though, and unlike with drivers, such
occurrences are rare.

-- .
A driving licence is sometimes a licence to kill.

  #7  
Old March 5th 12, 01:48 AM posted to uk.rec.cycling,uk.transport
Dave - Cyclists VOR
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 7,703
Default Number of motorists fined for using mobiles jumps by a thirdin last year

On 04/03/2012 18:25, Phil W Lee wrote:
(Tris) considered Sun, 04 Mar 2012
12:10:43 GMT the perfect time to write:

In Phil W Lee
wrote:

(Tris) considered Sat, 03 Mar 2012
09:48:05 GMT the perfect time to write:

In post

Simon wrote:

QUOTE:
Robin Reames, chief claims officer at Swiftcover, pointed out that
drivers who caused a collision while using their mobile phones risked
their insurance being rendered void...

http://road.cc/content/news/49673-nu...hird-last-year

Presumably, though, an insurance company couldn't really totally void
your insurance, under such circumstances, because that would make you
the equivalent of an uninsured driver. Wouldn't the insurance company
still settle any damages claim made against you but not pay-up for any
of your own costs - that is, treat your comprehensive policy like a
third party one, is that how it would work?

As I understand it, yes.
I've never seen a certificate of motor insurance that is conditional
on obeying any (never mind all) applicable law.
Any other sections of the insurance policy could be invalidated
though, as could other policies for health cover, earnings protection,
life, etc.


Thanks for your reply.

Usually, when you need to use your insurance policy you have already
been traumatised (and penalised if you have broken the law). Then along
come your insurance company, all set and only too ready to traumatise
you further. Yet, you're told insurance is there for your peace of mind
- yeah, right.

I couldn't help but notice, incidentally, that it is not illegal to use
a mobile phone while cycling - the advantages of cycling over motoring
just keep on adding up.

The absence of a specific ban doesn't mean it is necessarily legal.
Motorists were convicted of careless driving because of phone use even
before the specific offence was brought in.
To my mind,


Argument fails at this point. Please restart brain.



--
Dave - Cyclists VOR. "Many people barely recognise the bicycle as a
legitimate mode of transport; it is either a toy for children or a
vehicle fit only for the poor and/or strange," Dave Horton - Lancaster
University
  #8  
Old March 5th 12, 01:50 AM posted to uk.rec.cycling,uk.transport
Dave - Cyclists VOR
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 7,703
Default Number of motorists fined for using mobiles jumps by a thirdin last year

On 04/03/2012 20:05, Tris wrote:
In Phil W Lee
wrote:

(Tris) considered Sun, 04 Mar 2012
12:10:43 GMT the perfect time to write:

In Phil W Lee
wrote:

(Tris) considered Sat, 03 Mar 2012
09:48:05 GMT the perfect time to write:

In post

Simon wrote:

QUOTE:
Robin Reames, chief claims officer at Swiftcover, pointed out that
drivers who caused a collision while using their mobile phones risked
their insurance being rendered void...

http://road.cc/content/news/49673-nu...hird-last-year

Presumably, though, an insurance company couldn't really totally void
your insurance, under such circumstances, because that would make you
the equivalent of an uninsured driver. Wouldn't the insurance company
still settle any damages claim made against you but not pay-up for any
of your own costs - that is, treat your comprehensive policy like a
third party one, is that how it would work?

As I understand it, yes.
I've never seen a certificate of motor insurance that is conditional
on obeying any (never mind all) applicable law.
Any other sections of the insurance policy could be invalidated
though, as could other policies for health cover, earnings protection,
life, etc.

Thanks for your reply.

Usually, when you need to use your insurance policy you have already
been traumatised (and penalised if you have broken the law). Then along
come your insurance company, all set and only too ready to traumatise
you further. Yet, you're told insurance is there for your peace of mind
- yeah, right.

I couldn't help but notice, incidentally, that it is not illegal to use
a mobile phone while cycling - the advantages of cycling over motoring
just keep on adding up.

The absence of a specific ban doesn't mean it is necessarily legal.
Motorists were convicted of careless driving because of phone use even
before the specific offence was brought in.
To my mind, the biggest benefit cycling confers over motoring if you
need to be able to use a phone is that I've never yet found anywhere
that you can't pull over to use the phone safely when I'm on a bike,
but the same is not true of a car.
I would regard that as one of the most minor benefits though - cost,
fitness, relative ease of parking, and not causing congestion but
being able to cope with it are all much greater benefits.


Yes, all good points - and I must stop being flippant, when I want to be
taken seriously. Those much greater benefits you mention, they are all
very good reasons to really get into cycling.

There are no good reasons to get into cycling at all.

Unless you want to be regarded as a total bell end.



--
Dave - Cyclists VOR. "Many people barely recognise the bicycle as a
legitimate mode of transport; it is either a toy for children or a
vehicle fit only for the poor and/or strange," Dave Horton - Lancaster
University
  #9  
Old March 5th 12, 04:47 AM posted to uk.rec.cycling,uk.transport
[email protected]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 492
Default Number of motorists fined for using mobiles jumps by a third inlast year

On Mar 4, 8:05 pm, (Tris) wrote:
In post Phil W Lee



I couldn't help but notice, incidentally, that it is not illegal to use
a mobile phone while cycling - the advantages of cycling over motoring
just keep on adding up.



I have never owned a mobile phone - there is never anything so
important that can't wait until I either get home or reach work where
the call will be free.
I must admit that they seem to be so popular that I see many drivers
staring at their tiny screens while they are supposed to be driving, I
suppose they are sending texts to ****ter or summat I reckon. Still,
if they do it often enough the idiots will get fined banned.

--
Simon Mason
 




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Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Cyclists still stupidly not using lights at night Mr Benn[_5_] UK 25 March 2nd 12 03:07 PM
Gloucestershi Cyclists stopped by police for not using lights at night Mr. Benn[_9_] UK 1 February 26th 12 04:13 PM
More pavement cyclists with no lights at night Derek C UK 0 February 22nd 11 09:13 AM
why do cyclists think that they don't need lights at night? Mrcheerful[_2_] UK 49 December 16th 10 01:19 PM
use lights and wear bright clothes at night, how dim are these cyclists? Mrcheerful[_2_] UK 24 September 12th 10 06:28 AM


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