Time for PedestrianCam? You heard it here first

I have to say that I applaud the latest road safety initiative being introduced in London.

Under the new scheme HGVs caught driving in the capital without safety features to protect cyclists and pedestrians will be fined under a world-first scheme launched by the Mayor of London.

Firms will be hit with £550 penalty tickets from the autumn of next year if their vehicles fail a “direct vision” standard, based on how much the driver can see from the lorry cab.

HGVs are involved in a disproportionately high number of road deaths. They account for just four per cent of the miles travelled by vehicles in London, but 63 per cent of all cyclist deaths and 25 per cent of all pedestrian deaths in the capital between 2015 and 2017.

Operators are required to obtain a free permit from Transport for London which gives vehicles star ratings — from zero to five — according to the amount of safety equipment.

Zero-rated vehicles will be fined from October 26 next year. The rules will get progressively tougher by 2024, when only HGVs rated three stars and above will avoid a fine.

The scheme will apply 24/7 across Greater London. Roadside number plate cameras will detect lorries without a permit.

And cyclists will be encouraged to upload helmet-cam footage.

This is all great but (controversy warning) isn’t it time that cyclists act a bit more responsibly?

I can't wait for the re-birth of Spitting Image!

Only last month SWMBO and I were in the big smoke to see a show. We strolled down Shaftesbury Avenue from Piccadilly Circus before realising the theatre we wanted was on the opposite side of the road.

Being a fairly cautious type, I quickly dismissed the notion of cutting across the road where we were and playing dodgems with the very heavy traffic.

We made our way to a pedestrian crossing just yards away and waited patiently, with some other touristy types, as the cars, vans, buses and bikes sped past through their green, and our red, light.

Then it was our turn. Having been brought up proper, like, we still looked right and left anyway before stepping out.

Which was when a female cyclist went through her red light, oblivious to the people crossing, and narrowly missed me.

As I am a chap of what some may say are generous proportions, that was very, very lucky escape. I’m still not sure how she did miss me.

As I shouted a greeting (?) at her quickly disappearing rear wheel I realised she was not simply stupid. She was downright ignorant.

For she was wearing headphones. Probably too busy listening to some upbeat combo to worry about respecting other road users and their safety or even hearing warning honks from other road users.

But I bet she had a helmet cam and was the sort of cyclist always prepared to upload videos of inconsiderate drivers and vehicle-dodging pedestrians putting her in danger.

Maybe it’s time for PedestrianCam. I’m off to the Patent office now.