Two in five cyclists and e-scooter riders commit 'serious' traffic offences - 'Take responsibility'

The report by Nextbase highlighted the areas in London most impacted by red light abuse with Elephant and Castle coming in among the worst for both running red lights and distracted drivers.

Cyclists and e-scooter riders also ignored red lights at Streatham High Road and Greyhound Lane with a shocking 93.5 per cent of riders running the red light.

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In London, 11 per cent of drivers were found to be distracted at red lights with four per cent seen on their phones. Other distractions included eating and drinking as well as smoking and vaping while driving.

To help stop the number of incidents caused by reckless riding and driving in the capital, Nextbase has partnered with Project EDWARD (Every Day Without A Road Death).

The group hopes to encourage all road users to educate themselves on the dangers of not taking red lights seriously.

Bryn Brooker, head of road safety at Nextbase, said: “Junctions can be very dangerous places and must be treated with respect. It doesn’t matter if you’re a driver, a cyclist, or on an e-scooter - running the red light is illegal and puts you and others in danger.

“Hitting a pedestrian will be life-changing for both you and the victim, and you could easily be hit by traffic coming from another direction. It’s just not worth it, ever.This research is not designed to attack cyclists or e-scooter riders. We are simply keen to highlight how a minority of these road users are putting themselves inserious danger.”

Meanwhile, James Luckhurst, founder of Project EDWARD, warned that e-scooter riders and cyclists are putting themselves and others at serious risk “just to steal a few seconds of advantage”.

Other hotspot junctions include Kilburn High Road and Belsize Road where 80 per cent of riders run a red light, Canning Town and Barking Road (66.7 per cent), Wandsworth High Street and East Hill (63.3 per cent) and Tooting High Street and Selkirk Road (63.2 per cent).

Luckhurst warned: “Ignoring traffic signals is not only illegal, but extremely dangerous, showing a wanton disregard for traffic laws and public safety. Traffic lights apply to everyone on the road, as well as to pedestrians waiting to cross.

Statistics found that 41 per cent of all reported serious cycling injuries occur at or within 20 metres of a junction. Central London locations were also impacted, with St Martin's Lane and Chandos Place showing a 58.8 per cent violation rate.

The study also identified Brick Lane and Bethnal Green Road, along with Hampstead Road and Fitzjohns Avenue, among the 10 worst junctions for red light violations. London Fields and Broadway Market saw 31.8 per cent of drivers distracted.

Central London locations featured prominently in the worst-performing junctions, with New Oxford Street and High Holborn showing a 25.8 per cent distraction rate.

“My message is for everyone who uses the capital’s roads to take responsibility for their own safety and play their part to help drive down deaths and injuries,” Luckhurst stated.

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According to Department for Transport data, an average of two pedal cyclists died and 81 were seriously injured per week in reported road casualties last year.

The most common contributory factor allocated to pedal cyclists in fatal or serious collisions with another vehicle was found to be a "driver or rider failed to look properly".