In a recent THINK! road safety campaign titled “Don’t get caught between…”, for which Andrew Jones as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport is responsible, inappropriate and dangerous driving by an HGV driver is depicted as acceptable and responsibility is exclusively appropriated at the victim of this manoeuvre. More specifically, the advertisement shows a collision between a left turning HGV and a cyclist. In the run-up to the collision, it remains unclear whether the HGV had just overtaken the cyclist and cut across its path, or whether the cyclist manoeuvred himself into this position. Furthermore, the video clearly shows that the HGV signals very late, makes the turn dangerously fast and apparently without checking its mirrors (for much of the scene, the cyclist would have been visible either in the class IV wide angle rear view mirror, or the class V side close proximity mirror) – all in violation with the highway code.

To some HGV drivers the video may convey the message that they do neither have to pay attention nor follow the highway code when making left turns, as in case there is a collision with a cyclist, responsibility exclusively lies with the cyclist who should have “held back”. Airing this video backed by the otherwise highly regarded THINK! campaign, is socially irresponsible and prejudicial to health and safety of vulnerable road users who on a regular basis are being crushed by left turning vehicles.

We therefore demand the immediate cancellation of this campaign.