It's made worse by the fact that the courts just don't get it. I can't find the link just now, so I'll write out my recollections of a recent case:

A cyclist was riding to work in the early morning. Low light conditions. He was wearing a high vis vest and one or more blinkies on the back. From memory he also had a rear reflector. For reasons unknown to me, he did not have a front light on. He was struck from behind by a vehicle (the driver of which did actually stick around). He suffered significant back and neck injuries. The driver was prosecuted by the local plod. You'd think this would be a victory, but you'd be wrong.

The judge in the case ruled that since the cyclist did not have a front light on his bike, his bike was therefore illegal and he was at fault. That he was struck from behind was completely lost on this dimwit. The local plod, as I understand it, are appealing the judge's decision. I saw something recently in the local news suggesting the case is being reviewed.

The judge's decision in this case flies in the face of common sense. I'm sure this is not the only example of the judiciary just plain getting it wrong. Meanwhile, a cyclist who was seriously injured now has a huge dose of anger, cynicism and sense of injustice thrown in for good measure.


Max