Petition · Department for Transport

Introduce presumed liability for civil cases from road traffic collisions

Closed 4,916 signatures

What the petition asks

Introduce presumed liability for civil cases relating to certain road collisions, to shift the burden of proof. It would mean when vulnerable road users, e.g cyclists & pedestrians, claim against a more powerful road user (a driver), the driver would be presumed liable unless they prove otherwise.
We think this would compensate vulnerable road users, such as cyclists and pedestrians, more quickly and effectively. Pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders are often unable to obtain compensation because of a lack of adequate evidence. If a vulnerable road user is killed they are not there to give evidence; if they are seriously injured it may be impossible for them to give complete or satisfactory evidence of the circumstances in which they were injured.

Timeline

18 Nov 2024 Petition opened for signatures
18 May 2025 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 4,916
Status Closed
Department Department for Transport
Opened 18 Nov 2024
Closed 18 May 2025

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 29 Jul 2026.