Traffic lights do not give a road user an absolute entitlement to proceed along a road or across a junction. They indicate you are authorised to proceed provided it is safe to do so. You have to pay attention to other vehicles and pedestrians at the same time.
Travelling through a red traffic light is a common criticism levied at cyclists, particularly in cities. In heavy traffic areas there is a school of thought who say it is safer to cross a red light than to wait and be crushed by traffic. However, that does not make it legal to do so. If an accident then occurs, the cyclist is likely to be found at least partly to blame.
In 2011 the Court, in Malasi v Attmed, held a taxi driver partly to blame for hitting a cyclist who had crossed a red light. The taxi driver had proceeded through a green light at road junction, but was still found 20% to blame for the accident, as he was travelling above the speed limit and too fast for the junction. This case reinforced the fact that a vehicle is a lethal weapon and any driver on the road has to drive taking into account that other road users may make mistakes.
Nick Routh is a keen cyclist and is on the road at least three times a week training for an Ironman. He has ridden in London and been much closer to the underside of a London bus than he would have liked or was healthy for him! He is also a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL). So if you want someone to represent you, who completely understands what it’s like to ride a bicycle in all weathers, on all terrains and along side motorists who are less than keen on the cycling community, call him today for a no obligation chat about your situation.