17 February 2021
The response to a petition calling for a change to the law to protect all vulnerable road users has been published.
The petition was launched by the Joanna Dentskevich, after her 14-year-old son Freddie was involved in a road traffic collision while cycling, and proposals to change the law have become popularly referred to as Freddie’s Law.
In the response, Deputy Kevin Lewis, the Minister for Infrastructure said: “It is always traumatic when someone is injured on our roads, and my thoughts are with Freddie and his family.
“The purpose of the petition is to seek to initiate a review of the Jersey’s laws governing the rights and protections of all vulnerable road users with a view to making it safer to cycle, walk and horse ride on Jersey’s roads.”
Much of the work to improve road safety is under the Sustainable Transport Policy, including:
- road improvements to create space for cyclists.
- ensuring consistency in speed limits.
- the promotion of consideration for other road users and the prioritisation of road users who are not in cars.
- work to encourage people to use active travel instead of cars.
The Sustainable Transport Policy will consider how new liability laws could encourage change and ensure that increasing active travel offers improved safety and protection for vulnerable roads users, such as cyclists.
The Ministerial response is now live and can be found
here.
gov.je