Dangerous driving offence could be extended to cyclists

 

The Government will consider extending the law on dangerous driving to cover offences by cyclists, prime minister Theresa May has said.

At Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Ms May said she was sure transport secretary Chris Grayling would look at the issue.

The pledge follows the recent high-profile case of Charlie Alliston, who was convicted of ‘causing bodily harm by wanton or furious driving’, after colliding with pedestrian Kim Briggs, who later died.

”Local

The case against Alliston was mainly based on the absence of a front brake on his bike, which was designed for the track.

Ms May was asked by Heidi Alexander, who was Ms Briggs' MP, whether she agreed that ‘the law on dangerous driving should be extended to included offences by cyclists and that the 1861 offence of wanton and furious driving, on which the prosecution had to rely in this case, is hopelessly outdated and wholly inadequate?'

She replied: ‘We should welcome the fact that the prosecution team were able to find legislation under which they were able to take a prosecution, but she makes a general point about ensuring that our legislation keeps up to date with developments, and I am sure that the secretary of state for transport will look at the issue.’

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