Andy Burnham must change one driving law the minute he walks into Downing Street or risk losing the support of nearly 190,000 people. The issue is the legal disparity between how dogs and cats are treated under the UK Road Traffic Act 1988. Currently, drivers must stop and report hitting a dog, but there is no such requirement for cats. This means it is legal to hit a cat and drive away, leaving the animal injured and alone.
Petition demands new legislation
A petition from the group Cats Matter has gathered 189,000 signatures calling for a change in the law. The petition demands that drivers be required to stop, check, and report collisions involving cats. However, the government has rejected the proposal, stating it has "no current plans" to introduce new rules.
Data shows that as many as 230,000 cats are hit by cars every year, an average of 630 per day. Research from Cats Protection found that less than 25% of drivers stop after hitting a cat.
Government's response
The Department for Transport explained the reasoning behind the rejection: "Because cats are much smaller than other specified animals, and often most active at dawn or dusk, in many cases drivers may not be aware they’ve hit them – particularly with larger vehicles. Because of that, it would be difficult to prosecute drivers if the law was changed."
Critics argue this is not good enough. While accidents are inevitable, changing the legislation could make stopping after a collision the new normal for the next generation. It could also encourage drivers to slow down in built-up areas where cats are more likely to be present.
With 189,000 signatures, the pressure is on Andy Burnham to act. If he does not, many drivers may never forgive him.
