IAM back Share the Road Campaign

04-09-2006 15:00

Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians in London are all being encouraged to Share the Road - the title of a new and ongoing Transport for London (TfL) campaign, launched by the Mayor of London today (4 September 2006) and supported by the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists).

The Mayor wants to encourage all road users to stick to the rules of the road and to consider the impact of their behaviour on other people. The first stage of the campaign comprises a month long advertising and enforcement campaign.

A visible minority of road users break traffic laws in London, including vehicles parking in cycle lanes and encroaching into the 'advance stop' boxes designated for cyclists, as well as some cyclists who endanger themselves and pedestrians by jumping red lights and riding on the pavement. The actions of a few can cause animosity between road users, are inconsiderate and can endanger lives.

The campaign is supported by a wide range of road user organisations including London Cycle Campaign (LCC), the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), Living Streets, the Motorcycle Industry Association and the Freight Transport Association.

Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, said:

"Overall London's roads are getting safer. But there is nothing more frustrating, and often dangerous, than road users who think the rules do not apply to them. I want to see a shift in the culture on our roads where inconsiderate behaviour by the minority is increasingly treated as unacceptable. The only way all road users can get about safely and fairly is everyone obeys the rules of the road equally. Everyone must share the road, whether it is motorists who park on cycle lanes and occupy the 'advance stop' box reserved for cyclists, or cyclists who think it is OK to jump red lights. All of these activities are inconsiderate at best and dangerous at worst. The vast majority follow the rules, but there is a small and visible minority who are irresponsible and risk everyone else's safety. This awareness campaign, which starts today, encourages everyone to obey the rules of the road and spells out the consequences of not doing so. This will be followed by targeted police enforcement to catch those road users who still think the rules of the road are there to be ignored.

"As we build on the road safety successes in the capital and the growing enthusiasm for cycling, everyone on the busy streets needs to be considerate towards each other and to give each other room."